Bill Cosby and the Cornhuskers

photo by Amy Flamminio

On October 7, 2011, the TV legend, Bill Cosby, came to Lincoln and performed "Live at the Lied." As the opening performance of the Lied Center's 2011-2012 season, Mr. Cosby was certainly a success and tickets had sold out months in advance.

Despite the fact that it is homecoming weekend for Nebraska and many events and parties were taking place downtown at the same time as the Bill Cosby performance, there was a packed house and an air of excitement! As Cosby came on stage sporting a big, red Nebraska sweater, the crowd errupted with not only applause, but a standing ovation--this was before he'd even said a word.

For the next hour and a half, Cosby delighted the audience with his stories, jokes, and especially, his wonderful expressions. He talked about farming and football, proposals, childhood crushes, and marriage. Just as with his famous television show, "The Cosby Show," everything Cosby talked about spoke right to the audience. At age 15, he said "I had only two things going for me, hope and stupidity." For older members of the audience, they could relate to his jokes about growing old. "When I proposed to my wife, I said 'I want to grow old together'... I didn't know what that meant! No, I did not want to grow old!"

Stories about marriage, gleaned from his 47 years of marriage with his wife, rang true to all the married people, even a little girl appreciated the humor, "that's just what mom does to dad!"she exclaimed, as Cosby explained the way things disappear as his wife tidies and puts his things away even if he's right there.

From children to young adults to people of Cosby's own generation, everyone had a wonderful time. One young man was heard to remark, "I can't believe I got to see Bill Cosby live!"

When Cosby asked the audience what time it was so that he didn't get carried away, one person tried to tell him it was 7:30 (the time the show started) because they didn't want it to end!

Leaving the audience in stitches, Cosby left to the sound of wild applause as the audience leapt to their feet. Both the standing ovations, before and after the performance, were well-deserved by this lovable legend of laughter!

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Bill Cosby live in Lincoln

First published October 4, 2011
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A clip of one episode of the Cosby Show where Theo learns a lesson. (in10se365 via youtube)

William H. Cosby, Jr., better known and loved as Bill Cosby, will be in Lincoln on Friday, October 7th to open the Lied Center for Performing Arts' 2011-2012 season. Lincoln audiences, like people from all over the country, fondly remember growing up and raising families with Bill Cosby's shows always brining a smile to the home. For years, he has brought the American Dream to television audiences everywhere.

From his first appearance on network television with his role in "I SPY" in 1965 to the "Cosby Show" in the 1980s and "Cosby" in the 1990s, Bill Cosby was a familiar face in everyone's home. Nearly three generations of children have or are growing up laughing at his funny faces. Parents can relate to the parenting joys and woes of Cliff and Claire Huxtable.

Bill Cosby has won numerous television and comedy awards from Emmy's, Grammy's, Kennedy Center Honor's, and People's Choice Awards. He has written several wonderful books filled with humorous insights. His new book,I Didn't Choose to be Born (But I'm Glad I Was), is set for release on November 1, 2011.

The Lied Center made a good call when they invited Cosby to perform in Lincoln. Tickets were sold out almost before they became available. Bill Cosby is sure to be a hit with the Lincoln audience who will give him a warm welcome.