Cosby Takes the Stage Amidst Allegations: Who is Hannibal Buress?

Despite a string of recent cancellations, Bill Cosby took the stage in Erie, Pennsylvania Sunday night as scheduled.

He performed without any acknowledgment of the media storm circulating about a new discussion of the rape allegations made against him over the years.

The man who is single-handedly responsible for the new conversation is Hannibal Buress. Buress is a former SNL writer that has been featured on Comedy Central numerous times. He hosts a weekly show in Brooklyn, NY and has appeared on nearly every popular late night show.

His unprecedented fame. though, comes after accusing Cosby of being a rapist during a October 16th show.

Buress was discussing Cosby's clean reputation in comparison to the seemingly little-known about dark accusations he's faced. "...You raped women, Bill Cosby. So, [that] brings you down a couple notches...

If you didn't know about it, trust me. You leave here and google 'Bill Cosby rape.' It's not funny. That [expletive] has more results than Hannibal Buress."

Almost immediately after his performance, the bit became widely circulated and prompted one of the 77-year-old icon's accusers, Barbara Bowman, to speak out publicly.

Several days ago, she posted an op-ed to The Washington Post chastising the general public for not caring about her plight until "a male comedian called Cosby a rapist."

Cosby responded by cancelling an interview with Queen Latifah and an appearance on 'Late Show with David Letterman.' He refused to make any sort of comment after an awkward silence when the allegations were addressed during an interview with NPR host Scott Simon.

Though unable to promote his comedy tour, Sunday's stage presence is indicative that Cosby's show will go on. His next tour date is Nov. 21st in Florida.