Bill Cosby brings legendary humor to Watertown

Bill Cosby brings legendary humor to Watertown

Bill Cosby brings legendary humor to Watertown

The Mountaineer Online

August 2, 2012

The Mountaineer Online

Bill Cosby brings legendary humor to Watertown

Paul Steven Ghiringhelli

Staff Writer

One of the great comedians of the last century shared his comical insights on life, family and love before a large North Country audience Saturday night.

Bill Cosby appeared before a near-capacity crowd at the Watertown Municipal Arena, where he brought the house down with laughter and applause as the Disabled Persons Action Organization’s 2012 Summer Concert Series continued.

The legendary actor, producer, author and stand-up comedian started his routine by talking about how “painful” it can be to listen to a child practice for an upcoming musical recital.

He wondered, for example, how a child learning the clarinet can create four notes on just “one breath and no finger movement at all!”

“I’m trying to give a hint to all of you people who for the first time want to have children,” Cosby said.

He said if people own a farm, “don’t let the kid be heard by animals that can reproduce.”

Cosby, 75, spent most of his time pointing out ironies in life, such as a young couple’s excitement over plans to have a baby without fully appreciating how it will change their life.

“You say things, and you have no idea what you are talking about,” he said.

He recalled when he proposed to his wife nearly 50 years ago and how romantic and honest he was at the time.

“But I didn’t know what I was talking about,” he said. “I said to her, ‘I would love it, for the two of us, to grow old together.’”

After a pause, he said to audience laughter: “I didn’t mean – to look like this.”

At one point in the show, Cosby turned somewhat serious, sharing that he worked with amputees as a physical therapist while he served in the Navy.

He commended the DPAO for its work, saying that the human spirit’s longing to “get well” and “pick yourself up” is a wonderful thing.

“To all of you,” he said. “To all of the veterans, all of you who have been affected, the kids … God bless you. God bless your parents, and all of the people around you who have taken the time to teach.

“And God bless Joe for his leadership,” Cosby added, addressing Joe Rich, DPAO vice president.

Cosby’s appearance in Watertown was the DPAO Summer Concert Series’ second show. Country music star Blake Shelton performed for thousands July 6 at the Alex T. Duffy Fairgrounds.

The Doodlebops and Caillou will perform a children’s show in the arena at 3 p.m. this Saturday, while classic rock groups Journey and Loverboy will finish the DPAO Summer Concert Series outdoors at 7 p.m. Aug. 14.

General admission tickets are available at www.dpao.org, by calling 782-0044 / 800-533-2859, in person at the DPAO office on 617 Davidson St. in Watertown, or at Kinney Drugs and Price Chopper locations.

Established in 1974, DPAO provides individualized services to developmentally disabled children and adults in Jefferson and Lewis counties. The services are primarily geared to helping families cope with the stress of caring for their disabled loved ones in their homes.