Showtime
W. Kamau Bell examines the fall of Bill Crosby with a “conversation about the man, his career and his crimes” in a four-part documentary series, “We Need to Talk About Cosby.” It premieres Sunday, January 30 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Showtime.
If you don’t have cable or don’t have Showtime, here are some different ways can watch “We Need to Talk About Cosby” streaming live or on-demand online:
Heavy may earn an affiliate commission if you sign up via a link on this page
Amazon Prime’s Showtime Channel
Amazon Prime subscribers (Prime comes with a 30-day free trial) can watch all live and on-demand Showtime content via Prime Channels. You can try both Amazon Prime and the Showtime Channel at no cost with a free trial right here:
Watch Showtime on Amazon Prime
Once you’re signed up for the Prime Showtime Channel, you can watch “We Need to Talk About Cosby” live or on-demand on the Amazon Video app, which is available on your Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV or Firestick, Apple TV, Chromecast, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), Xbox One or Series X/S, PlayStation 4 or 5, various smart TV’s, Xiaomi, Echo Show or Echo Spot, iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Android tablet.
You can also watch on your computer via the Amazon website.
FuboTV
Showtime is available as an add-on to FuboTV’s main 100-plus-channel package. Both the main channel bundle and the Showtime add-on can be included in your free seven-day trial:
Once signed up for FuboTV, you can watch “We Need to Talk About Cosby” live or on-demand on the FuboTV app, which is available on your Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV or Fire Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Xbox One or Series X/S, Samsung TV, LG TV, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Android tablet.
You can also watch on your computer via the FuboTV website.
DirecTV Stream
DirecTV Stream (formerly AT&T TV) has four different channel packages: “Entertainment,” “Choice,” “Ultimate” and “Premier.” Showtime is only available in the “Premier” package or as a separate add-on to another bundle, but you can pick any package and any add-on you want with your free 14-day trial.
Note that the free trial isn’t advertised as such, but your “due today” amount will be $0 when signing up. If you watch on your computer, phone or tablet, you won’t be charged for 14 days. If you watch on a streaming device on your TV (Roku, Fire Stick, Apple TV, etc.), you will be charged for the first month, but you can get still get a full refund if you cancel before 14 days:
Once signed up for DirecTV Stream, you can watch “We Need to Talk About Cosby” live or on-demand on the AT&T TV app, which is available on your Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV or Fire Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Samsung TV, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Android tablet.
You can also watch on your computer via the DirecTV Stream website.
‘We Need to Talk About Cosby’ Preview
Comedian and television host W. Kamau Bell steps behind the camera to direct the important docuseries “We Need to Talk About Cosby,” which examines comedy’s uncomfortable relationship with Bill Cosby, the beloved comedian who was accused of drugging and raping dozens of women.
The Showtime press release reads:
“We Need to Talk About Cosby” offers an in-depth look at the revolutionary career and personal descent of Bill Cosby, the renowned comedian, actor, philanthropist and African American icon, who for decades was revered as “America’s Dad,” but has now gained infamy as a criminal defendant in a sexual-assault prosecution. The series explores the complex story of Cosby’s life and work, weighing his actions against his indisputable global influence through interviews with comedians, cultural commentators, journalists and women who share their most personal, harrowing encounters with Cosby.
Through archival footage, Cosby reveals who he may have been all along – the antithesis of the principled, public figure who became a hero, not only to African American people but to all people.
The four-parter sheds new light on Cosby’s cultural contributions and impact at the height of his disgrace – accused of rape, drug-facilitated sexual assault, sexual battery and other misconduct by more than 60 women as far back as nearly 60 years. Bell, who grew up idolizing Cosby, unpacks how Cosby’s desire for power, which propelled his professional success, could be the same driving force that motivated his alleged crimes against women.
“We Need to Talk About Cosby” peels back complex layers, portraying the genius performer, philanthropist and role model, contrasted by the accused sexual predator that now defines him. It offers viewers the chance to reconsider Cosby’s mark in a society where rape culture, toxic masculinity, capitalism and white supremacy are shaping how we re-evaluate sex, power and agency.
In an interview with Vanity Fair, Bell talked about how he is drawn to complicated subject matter.
“There’s something about me … that is drawn to complicated conversations, and drawn to figuring out, how can we learn from these things so that we don’t have to keep having this conversation over again, or keep avoiding this conversation?” said Bell, adding, “I’m still experiencing fear for when this comes out in a wide way, how people respond to it. Some people I know are going to hate it and never even watch it. … there’s all sorts of people who are engaged in the idea that none of this has happened. For me, this film only gets made because this conversation is so hard to have.”
“We Need to Talk About Cosby” premieres Sunday, January 30 at 10 p.m. Eastern and Pacific times on Showtime.