For years, “The More You Know” videos have been a staple of NBC broadcasting, featuring celebrities and stars from across the Peacock’s variety of shows talking to viewers about important issues. For the 25th anniversary of the classic public service initiative, the network has begun re-releasing some of these short videos online, including one with Jennifer Aniston — in the midst of her “Friends” fame — talking about sexual assault.
In Aniston’s sexual assault PSA, she emphasized the lingering effects of rape and battled the victim mentality of self-blame. She also urged victims to come forward and speak out about what happened, for their own good.
“You don’t have to hide. You don’t have to be ashamed,” she said. “You weren’t the one who committed the crime.”
The re-release of Aniston’s sexual assualt video comes amid the sexual assault scandal surrounding another classic NBC star, Bill Cosby. Cosby has been accused by more than 20 women of sexual assault with the alleged crimes taking place in a span ranging from the 1960s to the 2000s.
Cosby’s attorney Marty Singer has called the “claims about alleged decades-old [assaults]’” “increasingly ridiculous.” Cosby has not publicly commented on the allegations, saying before a performance in Florida, “A guy doesn’t have to answer to innuendos. People should fact check. People shouldn’t have to go through that and shouldn’t answer to innuendos.”
Aniston’s video was joined by the first-ever “The More You Know” PSA, presented by Tom Brokaw. This one explained the campaign and its early focus on “the deepening crisis in our public school system.” Another short featured “Seinfeld” star Jason Alexander discussing the importance of education.
“The More You Know” videos continue to be an important part of the NBC family of programs, with stars tackling topics like digital literacy, veterans issues and health.
Watch Jennifer Aniston’s sexual assault PSA. And watch Tom Brokaw introduce “The More You Know” campaign. And watch Jason Alexander talk about the importance of education.