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Will Ferguson Unrest Give Bill Cosby a Short-Term Reprieve?

With national media in wall-to-wall coverage of the unrest in Ferguson following Darren Wilson’s non-indictment, accusations against Cosby fade from TV

| November 25, 2014 @ 9:37 AM

Bill Cosby will not be able to hide under the covers from Hollywood media coverage regardless of other stories going on around the country. But he might have scored a separate media victory, sadly thanks to the violence and unrest going on in Ferguson, Missouri.

Also read: Bill Cosby Accuser Says TV Dad Earned Her Parents Trust Before Paying $700 for Sexual Act

From 6 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. ET, Cosby has not been mentioned once on Fox News, MSNBC, or CNN. Some readers might be thinking … duh, there’s fires, burning buildings, toppled police cars, tear gas, and gunshots going off in Ferguson, Missouri following the decision by a grand jury not to indict officer Darren Wilson in the shooting and killing of 18-year-old Michael Brown.

Also read: Ferguson: Hollywood Sounds Off on Protests, Grand Jury Decision on Social Media

And those readers are right. The attention is rightfully on Ferguson today, and likely will be for days to come. The question is, how will the widespread focus — and the subsequent decreased national media attention on increasing allegations toward the comedian — ultimately impact the duration of the Cosby story?

“Ferguson will continue to dominate cable news coverage for a few days, or until some other crisis occurs,” former CBS vice president and Fox News president Joe Peyronnin told TheWrap.  “Meanwhile, the Bill Cosby story will not go away. Rather, Cosby will receive coverage when there are new developments, for example, if he decides to publicly answer the allegations against him.”

See photos: Ferguson Fallout: The Scene Following Decision Not to Indict Officer Darren Wilson (Photos)

Another media expert predicts the Cosby story will dominate, regardless of Ferguson.

“The Cosby story has been around a long time and won’t go away,” Al Tompkins, senior faculty for broadcasting and online at the Poynter Institute, told TheWrap. “There are so many claims now that they cannot be ignored. That story and Ferguson are such different issues they do not compete for attention. Plus, as you know, December is often a slow news month so there is plenty of time for both.”Tompkins is right about December, but this one might be the exception. With a lame duck Congress finishing its term, cable and broadcast news will surely be covering the legislative battles about to ensue following President Obama’s executive action on immigration, as well as other actions he might try to take while he still has a Democratically-controlled Congress for one more month.

Also read: Bill Cosby’s 1980s Co-Star Claims He Sexually Assaulted Her, Paid College Tuition

No matter what the media covers, or opts not to cover, TheWrap will continue to cover ongoing developments in the Cosby story as well as Ferguson.

Ferguson Fallout: The Scene Following Decision Not to Indict Officer Darren Wilson (Photos)

  • Police officers march by a burning police car during a demonstration on November 24, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. A St. Louis County grand jury has decided to not indict Ferguson police Officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of Michael Brown that sparked riots in Ferguson, Missouri in August. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) Getty Images
  • FERGUSON, MO - NOVEMBER 24: Looters run out of a business during rioting on November 24, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. A St. Louis County grand jury has declined to indict Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of Michael Brown, an unarmed black teenager, that sparked riots in Ferguson, Missouri since August 9. (Photo by Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty Images) Getty Images
  • FERGUSON, MO - NOVEMBER 24: Looters run out of a business during rioting on November 24, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. A St. Louis County grand jury has declined to indict Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of Michael Brown, an unarmed black teenager, that sparked riots in Ferguson, Missouri since August 9. (Photo by Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty Images) Getty Images
  • FERGUSON, MO - NOVEMBER 24: A protestor is surrounded by tear gas during a demonstration on November 24, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. A St. Louis County grand jury has decided to not indict Ferguson police Officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of Michael Brown that sparked riots in Ferguson, Missouri in August. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) Getty Images
  • Firefighters try to extinguish a burning restaurant set on fire after protestors rioted following the grand jury announcement in the Michael Brown case on November 24, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Ferguson has been struggling to return to normal after Brown, an 18-year-old black man, was killed by Darren Wilson, a white Ferguson police officer, on August 9. His death has sparked months of sometimes violent protests in Ferguson. A grand jury today declined to indict officer Wilson. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) Getty Images
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  • FERGUSON, MO - NOVEMBER 24: Protestors kneel with their hands up in front of police vehicles during a demonstration on November 24, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. A St. Louis County grand jury has decided to not indict Ferguson police Officer Darren Wilson in the shooting of Michael Brown that sparked riots in Ferguson, Missouri in August. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) Getty Images
  • FERGUSON, MO - NOVEMBER 25: A row of cars burn at a used car lot during a demonstration on November 24, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Ferguson has been struggling to return to normal after Brown, an 18-year-old black man, was killed by Darren Wilson, a white Ferguson police officer, on August 9. His death has sparked months of sometimes violent protests in Ferguson. A grand jury today declined to indict officer Wilson. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) Getty Images
  • St. Louis County Prosecutor Robert McCulloch Getty Images
  • Demonstrators listen to a car radio as a grand jury's decision is delivered in front of the Ferguson police department on November 24, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Getty Images
  • FERGUSON, MO - NOVEMBER 24: Police confront protestors after rioting broke out following the grand jury announcement in the Michael Brown case on November 24, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Ferguson has been struggling to return to normal after Brown, an 18-year-old black man, was killed by Darren Wilson, a white Ferguson police officer, on August 9. His death has sparked months of sometimes violent protests in Ferguson. A grand jury today declined to indict officer Wilson. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) Getty Images
  • FERGUSON, MO - NOVEMBER 24: St. Louis County police officers in riot gear stand guard in front of the Ferguson police department after a grand jury's decision was delivered on November 24, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. A St. Louis County grand jury has decided to not indict Ferguson police Officer Darren Wilson in the shooting of Michael Brown that sparked riots in Ferguson, Missouri in August. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) Getty Images
  • A suspected looter is aprehended outside a Dollar Store when protestors rioted following the grand jury announcement in the Michael Brown case on November 24, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Ferguson has been struggling to return to normal after Brown, an 18-year-old black man, was killed by Darren Wilson, a white Ferguson police officer, on August 9. His death has sparked months of sometimes violent protests in Ferguson. A grand jury today declined to indict officer Wilson. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) Getty Images
  • FERGUSON, MO - NOVEMBER 24: Protestors run away after police deployed tear gas during a demonstration on November 24, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. A St. Louis County grand jury has decided to not indict Ferguson police Officer Darren Wilson in the shooting of Michael Brown that sparked riots in Ferguson, Missouri in August. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) Getty Images
  • CNN Reporter Sara Sidner was hit in the head with a rock while covering the Ferguson unrest on Nov. 24, 2014. CNN
  • NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 24: Protesters march through the streets of New York after learning at police officer Darren Wilson, of the Ferguson, MO police department, who fatally shot teenager Michael Brown on August 9, would not be indicted by a grand jury on November 24, 2014 in New York City. The killing of Michael Brown inspired mass protests in the St. Louis suburb for over a month and has reignited conversations throughout the nation about race and police force. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images) Getty Images
  • NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 24: Protesters march through the streets of New York after learning at police officer Darren Wilson, of the Ferguson, MO police department, who fatally shot teenager Michael Brown on August 9, would not be indicted by a grand jury on November 24, 2014 in New York City. The killing of Michael Brown inspired mass protests in the St. Louis suburb for over a month and has reignited conversations throughout the nation about race and police force. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images) Getty Images
  • LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 25: A woman faces police officers advancing to arrest anyone who fails to disperse as demonstrators react to the grand jury decision not to indict a white police officer who had shot dead an unarmed black teenager in Ferguson, Missouri, in the early morning hours of November 25, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. Police officer Darren Wilson shot 18-year-old Michael Brown on August 9, sparking large ongoing protests. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images) Getty Images
  • Protesters rally outside a mall in the Crenshaw district of L.A. on Nov. 24 (Twitter) Twitter
  • NOVEMBER 24: Protesters block traffic by lying down in the intersection of Wilshire Boulevard and Rodeo Dr. in Beverly Hills after marching from Leimert Park in reaction to the grand jury decision not to indict a white police officer who had shot dead an unarmed black teenager in Ferguson, Missouri on November 24, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. Police officer Darren Wilson shot 18-year-old Michael Brown on August 9, sparking large ongoing protests. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images) Getty Images
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  • WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 24: Hundreds of demonstrators, many of them Howard University students, lay on the ground in protest outside the White House after the Ferguson grand jury decision in Missouri November 24, 2014 in Washington, DC. A St. Louis County grand jury has decided to not indict Ferguson police Officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of Michael Brown that sparked riots in Ferguson, Missouri in August. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Getty Images
  • WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 24: U.S. President Barack Obama makes a statement following the announcement of the grand jury's decision in the shooting death of unnamed black teenager Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, at the James Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House November 24, 2014 in Washington, DC. The grand jury has decided that officer Darren Wilson will not be charged in the fatal shooting. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) Getty Images
  • DELLWOOD, MO - NOVEMBER 25: Brown family attorney Benjamin Crump speaks during a press conference at Greater St. Marks Church November 25, 2014 in Dellwood, Missouri. Sharpton addressed the lack of an indictment from a grand jury considering charges against Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson in teh shooting death of Michael Brown . (Photo by Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty Images) Getty Images
  • FERGUSON, MO - NOVEMBER 25: A worker cleans up glass at a business that was damaged during a demonstration on November 25, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Demonstrators caused extensive damage in Ferguson and surrounding areas after a St. Louis County grand jury decided to not indict Ferguson police Officer Darren Wilson in the shooting of Michael Brown. Getty Images
  • Ferguson Mayor James W. Knowles III speaks at a press conference at the Ferguson Community Center in Ferguson, Missouri. Knowles addressed the delayed deployment of the National Guard to the riot battered town. Getty Images
  • Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon speaks during a news conference at the University of Missouri - St. Louis on November 25, 2014 in St. Louis, Missouri. Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon discussed the law enforcement and national guard response to widespread rioting following the decision by a St. Louis County grand jury to not indict Officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of Michael Brown in August. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) Getty Images
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  • Police officers secure Los Angeles Police Department Headquarters after protestors pushed over barricades during demonstrations November 25, 2014 in Los Angeles, one day after a grand jury decision not to prosecute a white police officer for the killing of an unarmed black teen in Ferguson, Missouri. (Photo Credit: Getty Images) Getty Images
  • A protester sits in theback of a Los Angles Police Departmet (LAPD) transport bus after arrested at one intersection during a demonstration following the grand jury decision not to indict a white police officer who had shot dead an unarmed black teenager in Ferguson, Missouri in the early morning hours of November 26, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. Police officer Darren Wilson shot 18-year-old Michael Brown on August 9, sparking large ongoing protests. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images) Getty Images
  • Police make an arrest as protests engulf Ferguson on November 26, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Over 2,000 Missouri national guardsmen are being deployed a day after demonstrators caused extensive damage in Ferguson and surrounding areas following a St. Louis County grand jury decision to not indict Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson in the shooting of Michael Brown. (Photo by Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty Images) Getty Images
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  • A police squad car is turned over by demonstrators during a protest on November 25, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Yesterday protesting turned into rioting following the grand jury announcement to not indict officer Darren Wilson in the Michael Brown case. Brown, an 18-year-old black man, was killed by Darren Wilson, a white Ferguson police officer, on August 9. At least 12 buildings were torched and more than 50 people were arrested during the night-long rioting. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) Getty Images
  • Lesley McSpadden (C), mother of Michael Brown Jr, attends a press conference on the eve of Thanksgiving to pray and address the events of the last few days regarding the grand jury verdict of police officer Darren Wilson on November 26, 2014 in New York City. Police officer Darren Wilson shot 18-year-old Michael Brown in Ferguson, MO, on August 9, sparking large ongoing protests. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images) Getty Images
  • LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 25: Protesters set up barricades and shut down the 101 freeway following the grand jury decision not to indict a white police officer who had shot dead an unarmed black teenager in Ferguson, Missouri on the night of November 25, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. Police officer Darren Wilson shot 18-year-old Michael Brown on August 9, sparking large ongoing protests. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images) Getty Images
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Violence erupts in Ferguson, and protests are held across the country after a grand jury decided Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson would not face criminal charges in the shooting death of Michael Brown

Police officers march by a burning squad car during a demonstration in Ferguson, Missouri on Nov. 24, 2014.

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