The Bill Cosby #CosbyMeme Hashtag Backfired Immediately
Like, immediately. And it's now been taken down — updated!
On Monday, Bill Cosby — or more likely one of his representatives — posted a tweet asking fans to meme him. The link led to a meme generator on billcosby.com.
Go ahead. Meme me! http://t.co/uM3KSji8or #CosbyMeme
Bill Cosby@BillCosbyFollow
Go ahead. Meme me! http://t.co/uM3KSji8or #CosbyMeme
2:38 PM - 10 Nov 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
Right away, Twitter users began subverting the meme generator to comment on the 2006 rape allegations against Cosby. (He has never been charged with sexual assault.)
.@BillCosby This is fun! #CosbyMeme
Matthew Bramlett@matthewbramlettFollow
.@BillCosby This is fun! #CosbyMeme
2:47 PM - 10 Nov 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
The accusations have re-emerged in the past year after NBC announced it was developing a sitcom with him, a recent biography of Cosby opted not to report on the allegations, and Hannibal Buress called Cosby a "rapist" during his comedy act.
Don't mind if I do... #CosbyMeme
Rusty Redenbacher@rustymk2Follow
Don't mind if I do... #CosbyMeme
2:57 PM - 10 Nov 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
Cosby's publicist did not respond to a request for a comment from BuzzFeed News.
Jesus! RT @irathethird: #CosbyMeme
The Notorious T.I.M@BionicBombshellFollow
Jesus! RT @irathethird: #CosbyMeme
3:03 PM - 10 Nov 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
Monday night, the meme generator was removed from Cosby's website, and his tweet soliciting the fan interactivity disappeared. Cosby's publicist did not respond to another request to comment.
Here are a few of Twitter's offerings that illustrate the PR disaster.
RT @DadSelfie: Here you go @BillCosby! #CosbyMeme
Elliott@Mr1738Follow
RT @DadSelfie: Here you go @BillCosby! #CosbyMeme
3:03 PM - 10 Nov 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
Oh man, these are making my day! #CosbyMeme
Cornhole West@Floyd_BanksFollow
Oh man, these are making my day! #CosbyMeme
3:09 PM - 10 Nov 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
How's this, did I do this right? RT @BillCosby: Go ahead. Meme me! #CosbyMeme
Jason Steele@FilmCowFollow
How's this, did I do this right? RT @BillCosby: Go ahead. Meme me! #CosbyMeme
3:17 PM - 10 Nov 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
AYO BILL RT @BillCosby: Go ahead. Meme me! http://t.co/TzrXGcQ6Zf #CosbyMeme
Lonely Kukoč@HitDaBoogieZFollow
AYO BILL RT @BillCosby: Go ahead. Meme me! http://t.co/TzrXGcQ6Zf #CosbyMeme
2:59 PM - 10 Nov 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
Be Careful what you wish for. #CosbyMeme
sideshowRaheem@sideshowRaheemFollow
Be Careful what you wish for. #CosbyMeme
2:59 PM - 10 Nov 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
#CosbyMeme
I could do this all day. #CosbyMeme #cosbyproblems
sideshowRaheem@sideshowRaheemFollow
I could do this all day. #CosbyMeme #cosbyproblems
3:03 PM - 10 Nov 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
Ohhh...#Cosbymeme is all "we'll email you when it's approved" ..they ain't stupid..but screenshots
Yesha Callahan@YeshaCallahanFollow
Ohhh...#Cosbymeme is all "we'll email you when it's approved" ..they ain't stupid..but screenshots
2:49 PM - 10 Nov 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
Someone really thought #COSBYMEME was a good idea?
Justin Wood@Justin_Wood_Follow
Someone really thought #COSBYMEME was a good idea?
3:01 PM - 10 Nov 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
@BillCosby #CosbyMeme
dan barker@danbarkerFollow
@BillCosby #CosbyMeme
3:05 PM - 10 Nov 14ReplyRetweetFavorite