The Cosby Show is an American television situation comedy starring Bill Cosby, which aired for eight seasons on NBC from September 20, 1984 until April 30, 1992. The show focuses on the Huxtable family, an upper middle-class African-American family living in Brooklyn, New York.
Where to watch
-
Philo
-
Amazon Video
see all options Availability data: JustWatch
- Seasons
- 8
- Episodes aired
- 197
- Latest aired
- S08E24
- Total runtime
- 3d 1h
Timeline when each season aired
- Season 1 September 1984 – May 1985 24 episodes
- Season 2 September 1985 – May 1986 25 episodes
- Season 3 September 1986 – May 1987 25 episodes
- Season 4 September 1987 – April 1988 23 episodes
- Season 5 October 1988 – May 1989 25 episodes
- Season 6 September 1989 – May 1990 26 episodes
- Season 7 September 1990 – May 1991 25 episodes
- Season 8 September 1991 – April 1992 24 episodes
-
S01E01 Pilot / Theo's Economic Lesson
September 20 · 22min find the promo
Show synopsis
Clair is furious when Theo brings home a report card with 4 D's. He tells Cliff that he has no intention of going to college, as he feels that he is destined to be a ""regular person."" Cliff uses Monopoly money to teach him about the economic realities that many blue-collar workers must face. He assures Theo that he only wants him to try his best. Cliff is alarmed to meet Denise's latest beau, a former merchant marine who once spent time in a Turkish prison.
-
S01E02 Mr. Fish (a.k.a. Goodbye, Mr. Fish)
September 27 · 22min find the promo
Show synopsis
When Rudy's pet fish, Lamont, dies, Cliff tries to bring the family together for a funeral in the bathroom. The festivities end when Rudy gets bored and leaves to watch TV.
-
S01E03 Bad Dreams
October 4 · 22min find the promo
Show synopsis
Vanessa claims that she is old enough to watch a scary movie, but Cliff still forbids it. Vanessa sneaks out anyway, but ends up having nightmares as a result.
-
S01E04 Is That My Boy?
October 11 · 22min find the promo
Show synopsis
Freshman Theo tries out for the football team and makes it. Cliff is overjoyed, but his pride falters when he discovers his son will never be a star. Theo, however, is just happy being on the team.
-
S01E05 A Shirt Story
October 18 · 22min find the promo
Show synopsis
Theo wants to impress a girl by wearing an expensive shirt by designer Gordon Gartrelle. Since Cliff and Clair will not pay for it, Denise offers to make a copy of the shirt for him. Guest appearance by Kadeem Hardison, who years later would portray Dwayne Wayne on the Cosby Show spinoff, A Different World.
-
S01E06 Breaking With Tradition
October 25 · 22min find the promo
Show synopsis
Cliff's father, Russell, pays a visit and begins questioning Cliff about the kids' college choices. He asks Denise about Hillman, his and Cliff's alma mater. Denise is dead-set against it at first, until Russell tells her that the males outnumber the females there. First appearance of Earle Hyman as Russell Huxtable, Cliff's father.
-
S01E07 One More Time
November 1 · 22min find the promo
Show synopsis
While Clair cares for a friend's baby, she begins to consider having another. Cliff desperately tries to talk her out of it, claiming that babies are "false advertising." Clair's mother, Carrie, then reminds her that the older you are when you have kids, the older you'll be if they end up having to come back and live at home. First appearance of Ethel Ayler as Carrie Hanks, Clair's mother.
-
S01E08 Play It Again, Vanessa
November 8 · 22min find the promo
Show synopsis
Vanessa plays clarinet in the school's orchestra. Though she tries her best and practices daily, she simply cannot play the instrument. She plays an embarrassing solo at the school concert, but her parents support her anyway. Guest Dizzy Gillespie as Mr. Hampton, Vanessa's music teacher.
-
S01E09 How Ugly Is He?
November 15 · 22min find the promo
Show synopsis
Denise has a new boyfriend, David, but is reluctant to bring him home. She fears that Cliff will, like always, make fun of the boy and ruin her chances with him. Cliff and Clair are initially impressed with David until he expresses some unwanted opinions about medicine and the law at dinner. Kristoff St. John plays boyfriend David.
-
S01E10 Bonjour, Sondra
November 22 · 22min find the promo
Show synopsis
Sondra, the eldest Huxtable child makes her first appearance when she visits home for Thanksgiving. She plans on going to Paris for the summer, and hopes that her parents will support the decision.
-
S01E11 You're Not a Mother Night
December 6 · 22min find the promo
Show synopsis
Clair is exhausted from constantly caring for the children. Cliff decides to take her out on the town for "You're Not a Mother Night." They go to a fancy restaurant and hotel. While there, some of Clair's motherly instincts start kicking in-but they stop in time for a romantic evening.
-
S01E12 Rudy's Sick
December 13 · 22min find the promo
Show synopsis
Clair could be named partner at her law firm if an interview goes well-but Rudy is sick! Cliff vows to take care of her while Clair works, and engages in some unique doctoring methods. Clair is named partner and Rudy is fine by the end.
-
S01E13 Father's Day
December 20 · 22min find the promo
Show synopsis
Cliff complains about the poor quality of his annual Father's Day gifts. He challenges the children to find some better presents for a December Father's Day. They give him thoughtful-if not quite attractive-presents.
-
S01E14 Independence Day
January 10 · 22min find the promo
Show synopsis
Theo gets his ear pierced to impress a girl, but Denise thinks it might be infected. She is correct, and Theo must go to Cliff. Cliff hopes that Grandpa Huxtable will punish Theo, but the old man instead relates the story of how Cliff tried to slick back his hair to impress Clair, but ended up burning it off! Russell brags, and Anna reminds him of the time that he had a tattoo of her name placed on his chest, but ended up with a huge scar on his chest when he tried to remove it after Anna found out he was actually trying to impress another girl! First appearance of Clarice Taylor as Anna Huxtable, Cliff's mother.
-
S01E15 Physician of the Year
January 17 · 22min find the promo
Show synopsis
Cliff is set to receive an important award, but a woman goes into labor right before the ceremony. Theo delivers his speech for him. Aleta Mitchell as Mrs. Randall, Elisa de la Roche as Nurse, Sheldon Leonard as Dr. Wexler
-
S01E16 Jitterbug Break
January 31 · 22min find the promo
Show synopsis
Cliff tries to impress Denise's friends by teaching them how to jitterbug. Some of Clair's friends also show off their dance moves. Soon, the whole house is full of dancers. Blair Underwood as Denise's boyfriend (uncredited), Judith Jamison as Marie, Donald McKayle as Ralph, Gerard Cooper as Guy, Christine Langner as Girl
-
S01E17 Theo and the Joint
February 7 · 22min find the promo
Show synopsis
Clair discovers a marijuana joint in one of Theo's school books. She and Cliff confront him about it, and accept his explanation—another boy slipped it in. Theo confronts the boy and brings him home to confess in order to remove any uncertainty from his parents about his telling the truth. Theo and the boy actually start to become friends. Stephen Thompson as Anthony Braxton, Iman as Mrs. Montgomery. Rudy says her full name in this episode, Rudith Lillian Huxtable.
-
S01E18 Vanessa's New Class
February 14 · 22min find the promo
Show synopsis
Vanessa is placed in an advanced science class. She creates a model of the solar system, but learns that she will have to work harder than ever if she hopes to succeed. First appearance of Pam Potillo as Vanessa's friend Janet Meisner.
-
S01E19 Clair's Case
February 21 · 22min find the promo
Show synopsis
A sneaky mechanic tries to swindle Sondra. It's Clair to the rescue as the two battle in court. David Langston Smyrl as the man in court, Shawn Elliott as Mr. Wilson, Alan North as Judge
-
S01E20 Back to the Track, Jack
February 28 · 22min find the promo
Show synopsis
Cliff's college track coach contacts him and asks to run in a charity event between Hillman and its rival, Norton College. Heathcliff "Combustible Huxtable" trains, but soon learns that he is not the runner he was all those years ago.
-
S01E21 The Younger Woman
March 14 · 22min find the promo
Show synopsis
Cliff and Clair receive a visit from an old friend—and he has a new girlfriend that is half his age. They are initially suspicious, but learn that judging by appearances isn't always right.
-
S01E22 Slumber Party
March 28 · 22min find the promo
Show synopsis
Rudy invites all of her friends over for a slumber party. It's Cliff's job to watch over them, and he demonstrates some unique games to wrangle the youngsters. In the end, Russell drops by and demonstrates the perfect way to deal with kids-bribe them!
-
S01E23 Mr. Quiet
May 2 · 22min find the promo
Show synopsis
Cliff, Clair, and the Huxtable clan volunteer at a local community center. There, a battered boy tries to find help, and the owner—Tony Castillo—does his best to lend assistance.
-
S01E24 Cliff's Birthday
May 9 · 22min find the promo
Show synopsis
Cliff is turning 48, and as usual, he is trying to find out what his birthday present is ahead of time. Clair, with the help of the kids, orchestrates a huge trick. Cliff is fooled, and doesn't find about what is birthday surprise is: a visit to Lena Horne's private club. Lena Horne as herself, Clarence Williams III as Clarence Thornehill. In episode 12, Cliff says his birthday is in October.