Bill Cosby Interview (1969)

Bill Cosby: The first time I saw Bob (Robert Culp) was the first day we read for the series; I walked in and we shook hands, but we didn’t really have a chance to talk before they gave us scripts. Then it was the moment of truth for me: All the fears, anxieties, and apprehensions were bubbling and boiling, because now I had to prove myself. Although the producers were with me, they were really listening to see if I could act. I’d never read a single line for Sheldon Leonard — and when you think about that, about a producer banking half a million dollars on a guy whose comedy routine he liked, it becomes quite a gamble. Well, they listened, and I was embarrassed, because I was no good — really no good. I fumbled and mumbled and couldn’t concentrate or do anything right.

But afterward, Bob and I got to together and talked and, at Bob’s suggestion, we agreed to make the relationship between the white character, Kelly Robinson, and the black man, Alexander Scott, a beautiful relationship, so that people could see what it would be like if two cats like that could get along. Bob’s a fine actor and a fine human being. He could have made it tough for me; he could have made me paranoid with criticism, because my ego came into play. At the time, I was a pretty well known, up-and-coming comic and if he’s been rough on me, it would have been too easy for me to say to myself, “What do I need all this for?” In other words, if Bob hadn’t been the great guy he is, I might have copped out.

Playboy: Were you still nervous when the filming began?

BC: It was really weird man. As a comedian, I can walk out in front of 5000 people and not worry about a thing. Not a thing, believe me. But to stand up a face a camera and crew of maybe 15 guys and get uptight about it — to me that’s weird. It took a lot of weeks before I felt relaxed and able to do my thing without being self-conscious.

Bill Cosby Interview /May 1969 / Playboy Magazine