The Cosby Show (1984–1992)

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

Creators:

Bill Cosby, Michael Leeson, Ed. Weinberger

Stars:

Bill Cosby, Phylicia Rashad, Malcolm-Jamal Warner

Won 3 Golden Globes. Another 49 wins & 50 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Bill Cosby	...	Dr. Heathcliff 'Cliff' Huxtable (199 episodes, 1984-1992)
Phylicia Rashad	...	Clair Hanks Huxtable (195 episodes, 1984-1992)
Malcolm-Jamal Warner	...	Theodore 'Theo' Huxtable (178 episodes, 1984-1992)
Keshia Knight Pulliam	...	Rudy Huxtable (178 episodes, 1984-1992)
Tempestt Bledsoe	...	Vanessa Huxtable (158 episodes, 1984-1992)
Lisa Bonet	...	Denise Huxtable (118 episodes, 1984-1991)

Storyline

Long-running popular comedy television series about the Huxtable family. Doctor Heathcliff Huxtable and Clair Huxtable, a happily married couple, are raising their children (Sondra, Denise, Theodore, Vanessa, and Rudy). The two oldest daughters eventually live successful adult lives and get married (Sondra to Elvin and Denise to Martin). As the children get older, the family gets larger and, to the chagrin of Cliff, keep on coming back home when he wants them to move out and live on their own for good.

---

Plot Keywords:

african american | married couple | doctor | home | married with children | 

---

Taglines:

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

---

Genres:

Comedy | Family

---

Certificate:

TV-G

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 September 1984 (USA)

Also Known As:

El show de Bill Cosby

Filming Locations:

10 Leroy Street, Greenwich Village, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bill Cosby, Carsey-Werner Company, National Broadcasting Company (NBC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min 30 min (201 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The character of Sondra, the Huxtables' eldest daughter, was added almost as an afterthought. In the pilot, 'Phyllicia Rashad's' Clair Huxtable mentions the couple's four children (Sondra makes it five). They decided there should be another child that represented the results of a good upbringing, hence a daughter in college. When casting the role, it came down to two actresses: 26-year-old Sabrina Le Beauf and 21-year-old Whitney Houston. LeBeauf's theater experience won her the role.

---

Goofs

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

Cliff: [to Rudy] No, no, don't take my bubble thing.

---

Crazy Credits

The credit sequences that varied from season to season all have one thing in common-the last shot in each one is a closeup of Bill Cosby's face, and in all but the first, he is smiling.

---

Connections

Referenced in Blitz (2011)

---

Soundtracks

"Kiss Me"
Composed by Stu Gardner and Bill Cosby
Performed by Lester Bowie
(seasons 7 and 8)

User Reviews

Good In the Beginning

The first season of the Cosby Show made it one of the finest shows on television. However, I do feel that as the show wore on it became a little bit preachy. However, it still had its moments. I really enjoyed the episodes that dealt with Theo and his struggles with school. I could relate to that because I had troubles with school at times. I also could not get how people could begrudge the show because it showed African Americans that were part of the upper class and as positive images and not the negative stereotypes that were so prevalent. Also, you could see the evolution of the various characters, especially Rudy who went from a precocious five year old to a teenager throughout the course of the show. All in all though, it still was a good show.