Malcolm-Jamal Warner said The Cosby Show is 'tarnished' by assault allegations

Actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner spoke out about the sexual assault allegations against comedian Bill Cosby, telling The Associated Press on Friday that they "tarnished" the iconic '80s sitcom. Amid backlash over dozens of women accusing Cosby of rape, sexual assault, and drugging, TV Land pulled all re-runs of the show in 2014.

"My biggest concern is when it comes to images of people of color on television and film, no matter what...negative stereotypes of people of color, we've always had The Cosby Show to hold up against that," he said. "And the fact that we no longer have that, that's the thing that saddens me the most because in a few generations the Huxtables will have been just a fairy tale."

Warner said he's been in touch with Cosby, but wouldn't comment on their conversations. Cosby has not been charged with any crime.

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On Friday, Dateline interviewed 27 of his accusers, the same day Cosby was scheduled to give a deposition in Los Angeles. The video recording will be sealed for at least 60 days.