Bill Cosby Returns To Stage With Empty Seats

It's Bill Cosby's dramatic return to the stage. His first time back after the cancellation of his concert tour.

Shouting protesters stood outside the venue in Ontario, Canada. But inside the 77-year-old comic legend received a standing ovation. The concert hall, however, was far from a sell out. It was half empty.

As Cosby was hitting the stage, he got what may be the only good news he's had since the scandal erupted. His TV wife is coming to his defense.   

Speaking to ABC's Nightline, actress Phylicia Rashad says the sexual assault allegations aimed at Cosby  are an effort to destroy his legacy.

Rashad said, “My initial reaction to the allegations was, hmm, someone has a vested interest in preventing Mr. Cosby to return to network television."

For eight years Phylicia Rashad played Clair Huxtable, the Cosby Show matriarch.  

Rashad told Nightline, "I did talk to him towards the beginning of all of this, and his comment then was, the internet has given some anonymous people a very loud voice.”

Now, three more Cosby accusers are coming forward. They appeared at a press conference with attorney Gloria Allred.

Linda Kirkpatrick was 25 when she said she met Bill Cosby in Las Vegas and he invited her backstage at his show.

Kirkpatrick said, “I was lying down. Cosby was on top of me kissing me forcefully.”  

Lynn Neal was working at health club also in Vegas when she said Cosby invited her to his show. She claims, "When we entered the dressing room, I sat on the couch and he started taking my pants down. I said, 'What are you doing? Stop!' But he didn't."

Another woman, who only wants her name Kacey used, was Cosby's agent's assistant in the early 90's when she says he lured her to his hotel room. She says, "I remember waking up in a bed with Mr. Cosby naked beneath his open robe."

Cosby was all smiles as he emerged from his concert Wednesday night, flanked by security.  He was peppered with questions by reporters as he got into his waiting limo.

Cosby has denied all the allegations.