"The Cosby Show" (1984) TV series 1984-1992

Creators:

Bill Cosby
Michael Leeson
Ed. Weinberger

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

Release Date:

20 September 1984 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Family

Tagline:

In a house filled with love . . . there's always room for more.

Plot:

The goings-on in the life of a successful African American family.

Plot Keywords:

African American | Doctor | Lawyer | Sitcom | Father Son Relationship

Awards:

Won 3 Golden Globes. Another 48 wins & 47 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Tue. Dec. 15	2:00 AM	TVLAND	How Do You Get to Carnegie Hall?	#5.9
Tue. Dec. 15	2:30 AM	TVLAND	If the Dress Fits, Wear It	#5.10

Cast

Bill Cosby	...	Dr. Heathcliff 'Cliff' Huxtable / ... (200 episodes, 1984-1992)
Phylicia Rashad	...	Clair Hanks Huxtable / ... (197 episodes, 1984-1992)
Malcolm-Jamal Warner	...	Theodore 'Theo' Huxtable / ... (179 episodes, 1984-1992)
Keshia Knight Pulliam	...	Rudy Huxtable (179 episodes, 1984-1992)
Tempestt Bledsoe	...	Vanessa Huxtable (158 episodes, 1984-1992)
Lisa Bonet	...	Denise Huxtable Kendall / ... (125 episodes, 1984-1991)

Runtime:

30 min (201 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Canada:G (Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario/Quebec) (DVD rating) | USA:TV-G | Australia:PG (some episodes) | Argentina:Atp | Singapore:PG | Australia:G

Filming Locations:

Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Company:

Bill Cosby

Trivia:

After the 2008 election, Republican strategist 'Karl Rove' credited "The Cosby Show" (1984) with paving the way for America to elect an African American president, since, in Rove's words, "we've had an African-American first family for many years in different forms. When 'The Cosby Show' was on, that was America's family. It wasn't a black family. It was America's family."

Goofs:

Continuity: When Cliff and Clair leave Theo alone in the house while they go on a ski trip, Cliff is carrying some skis out. He drops a ski and it knocks everything off Clair's desk. In the next scene, the objects are on the desk again.

Quotes:

Vanessa Huxtable: Rudy, what are you gonna do in life with a fourth grade education ?
Rudy: Teach third grade !

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Are We There Yet? (2005)

Soundtrack:

Monk's Hat

`The Cosby Show' is one of the best reruns out there – catch it when you can.

`The Cosby Show,' along with `Family Ties,' redefined television in the eighties. It centered entirely on a successful African American family – that was something rare back then. And the thing that was good about the show was that unlike some television programs, `The Cosby Show' did not try to be anything special; it didn't try to shout out. It didn't say, `Hey, we're a show all about a black family!' It treated itself just like any other show on television, and that is what is so good about it.

Bill Cosby is, of course, the main character in this show, taking the role of a husband and father while adding comic relief to the show.

Cosby was one of the best comedians of the eighties – it's too bad he isn't in the movies anymore, because he is a funny guy. He's not over the top and outrageous like, say, Chris Rock or Eddie Murphy, etc., both of whom are loudmouthed black comedians that are stereotypical of African American comics; they try to get in the limelight by shouting and yelling and not REALLY being funny. I think many black comedians had resorted to this because (a) they thought it was the only way they could get famous back then and (b) it became expected of them (that would explain Rock).

But Bill Cosby is calm yet funny. I think he's one of the best REAL comedians out there (in other words, one of the best stage performers/comedians).

`The Cosby Show' is one of the best reruns out there – catch it when you can.