Bill Cosby’s Twitter meme dare backfires

On 10 November, Cosby’s Twitter account posted a link to a meme-generator on his website and playfully dared his followers to “Go ahead, meme me!”.

Neither the comedian, nor his PR team, was ready for what followed as some users created memes referencing rape allegations previously brought against Cosby.

Someone's getting fired. #cosbymeme pic.twitter.com/GSMsNFcz1D

— The Nuclear Unit (@thenuclearunit) November 10, 2014

So Bill Cosby asked ya'll to meme him? #CosbyMeme pic.twitter.com/JzKmUVQSNk

— Dr. Tara L. Conley (@taralconley) November 10, 2014

According to news reports, the meme-generator was taken off the website, but that didn’t seem to stop the meme’s making it to Twitter with #CosbyMeme trending for a good while.

https://twitter.com/random_tangent/status/531946657500250112

Cosby was accused of sexual abuse by multiple women for incidents that date as far back as the 70s, but the comedian was never charged and none of the allegations were proven true.

Oh man, these are making my day! #CosbyMeme pic.twitter.com/nWwhFEDEhD

— 🅱️iros (@ImNotFloyd) November 10, 2014

That did, however, not stop a standup comedian, Hannibal Buress, from recently throwing a bit of fuel in the somewhat dying fire during one of his performances.

Buress took Cosby to task when he said: ““Bill Cosby has the f–ing smuggest old black man public persona that I hate.”

He added, “I want to just at least make it weird for you to watch ‘Cosby Show’ reruns,” Buress said. “If you don’t know about it, trust me. When you leave here, Google ‘Bill Cosby rape.’ That s$@t has more results than Hannibal Buress.”

Here are some other memes:

Well that escalated quickly…Why the "BILL COSBY MEME” generator was a really bad idea. https://t.co/qGlWawZEE3 pic.twitter.com/WHhc80JxTm

— 105.9 The X (@1059thex) November 11, 2014

I think this one might be my best, Mr. Cosby! RT @BillCosby: Go ahead. Meme me! #CosbyMeme pic.twitter.com/KJbQiucx6L

— Jason Steele (@FilmCow) November 10, 2014

#CosbyMeme utterly backfires. Lesson: understand how your brand is perceived before you start https://t.co/b8c5GoEGmj pic.twitter.com/Y43uayZTdb

— Sifiso (@SifisoMaz) November 12, 2014

Jesus Christ RT @TylerIAm: Oh Cos! #Cosbymeme @BillCosby pic.twitter.com/AmWjnJs21W

— Darryl, Socrates Friend (@HoodCertified) November 10, 2014

I can’t hear you. #CosbyMeme pic.twitter.com/gvL9BRZGep

— Sean. (@Melanism) November 10, 2014

The mystery behind Cosby's fashions revealed! #CosbyMeme pic.twitter.com/dgGJuBbSXx

— Myka Fox (@MykaFox) November 10, 2014

Cc: @ceelogreen RT @rustymk2: Don't mind if I do… #CosbyMeme pic.twitter.com/H3w8byeYGd

— Kang The Conqueror's Baby Mama (@JamelleMyBelle) November 10, 2014

RT @pjhoody: Oh my god RT @hueyknew #CosbyMeme @BillCosby https://t.co/AWPcYRu1QC

— Dynamics • £ (@theDYNAMICS) November 10, 2014

RT @Beewirks: Fhwurgisjfb https://t.co/vW3R3M7ZSO

— Dynamics • £ (@theDYNAMICS) November 10, 2014

https://twitter.com/Justin_Wood_/status/531944745632030720