A top producer from the long running and ever popular "Cosby Show" admits that all the recent sexual assault allegations lodged against star Bill Cosby have "kind of tarnished" the show's legacy.

Speaking at a recent Television Critics Association press tour, Tom Werner told TV Insider he only hopes fans can now "distinguish between the show and Bill."

As many as 46 women have now come forward to allege over the years they were drugged and sexually assaulted by the now 78-year-old famed comedian. Some 35 of them recently posed for a New York magazine cover story recounting their alleged experiences.

As for the "Cosby Show," which aired on NBC from 1984 to 1992 and became one of the first to center around a middle-class African-American family, Werner added, "I do think the show is one of the most groundbreaking shows in television." He later reflected, "I think about all the great episodes that we've done and the impact that it had. I'm certainly hoping that people can continue to watch it."

With all the negative PR currently being heaped on Cosby, Werner conceded that right now that comes as a challenge for many. Still, in time he hopes all the courageous storylines and "memorable moments" will pave the way for people to still be able to watch the show.

Cosby has denied all the accusations and has never faced criminal charges stemming from any of the alleged incidents. Sometime over the next 30 days, he is slated to be questioned under oath by famed activist attorney Gloria Allred, who now represents one of the women suing Cosby in civil proceedings.

TMZ has reported Allred represents former Playboy bunny Judy Huth, who alleges she was assaulted by Cosby at the famed Playboy Mansion when she was just 15 years old. Allred has also vowed to question Cosby about all the other women that have leveled similar allegations against him.