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The Cosby Show

  • TV Series
  • 1984–1992
  • TV-G
  • 30m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
38K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
971
295
Lisa Bonet, Bill Cosby, Tempestt Bledsoe, Keshia Knight Pulliam, Phylicia Rashad, and Malcolm-Jamal Warner in The Cosby Show (1984)
Home Video Trailer from Urban Works
Play trailer0:31
11 Videos
99+ Photos
SitcomComedyFamilyRomance

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

  • Creator
    • Michael Leeson
  • Stars
    • Bill Cosby
    • Phylicia Rashad
    • Malcolm-Jamal Warner
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.4/10
    38K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    971
    295
    • Creator
      • Michael Leeson
    • Stars
      • Bill Cosby
      • Phylicia Rashad
      • Malcolm-Jamal Warner
    • 110User reviews
    • 19Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Won 6 Primetime Emmys
      • 57 wins & 59 nominations total

    Episodes197

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated

    Videos11

    Funny Women of Television
    Video 3:41
    Funny Women of Television
    The Cosby Show: Clip -- Cliff's Eating Habits
    Clip 1:04
    The Cosby Show: Clip -- Cliff's Eating Habits
    The Cosby Show: Clip -- Cliff's Eating Habits
    Clip 1:04
    The Cosby Show: Clip -- Cliff's Eating Habits
    The Cosby Show: The 25th Anniversary Commemorative Edition
    Clip 1:57
    The Cosby Show: The 25th Anniversary Commemorative Edition
    The Cosby Show: Season 1
    Trailer 0:31
    The Cosby Show: Season 1
    The Cosby Show: Season 2
    Trailer 0:32
    The Cosby Show: Season 2
    The Cosby Show
    Trailer 1:01
    The Cosby Show

    Photos382

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    + 376
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    Top cast99+

    Edit
    Bill Cosby
    Bill Cosby
    • Dr. Heathcliff 'Cliff' Huxtable
    • 1984–1992
    Phylicia Rashad
    Phylicia Rashad
    • Clair Huxtable
    • 1984–1992
    Malcolm-Jamal Warner
    Malcolm-Jamal Warner
    • Theo Huxtable
    • 1984–1992
    Tempestt Bledsoe
    Tempestt Bledsoe
    • Vanessa Huxtable
    • 1984–1992
    Keshia Knight Pulliam
    Keshia Knight Pulliam
    • Rudy Huxtable
    • 1984–1992
    Sabrina Le Beauf
    Sabrina Le Beauf
    • Sondra Huxtable Tibideaux…
    • 1984–1992
    Lisa Bonet
    Lisa Bonet
    • Denise Huxtable…
    • 1984–1991
    Geoffrey Owens
    Geoffrey Owens
    • Elvin Tibideaux
    • 1985–1992
    Raven-Symoné
    Raven-Symoné
    • Olivia Kendall
    • 1989–1992
    Joseph C. Phillips
    Joseph C. Phillips
    • Lt. Martin Kendall…
    • 1985–1991
    Erika Alexander
    Erika Alexander
    • Pam Tucker
    • 1990–1992
    Earle Hyman
    Earle Hyman
    • Russell Huxtable…
    • 1984–1992
    Deon Richmond
    Deon Richmond
    • Kenny
    • 1986–1992
    Clarice Taylor
    Clarice Taylor
    • Anna Huxtable
    • 1985–1992
    Peter Costa
    • Peter Chiara
    • 1985–1989
    Karen Malina White
    Karen Malina White
    • Charmaine Brown
    • 1990–1992
    Carl Anthony Payne II
    Carl Anthony Payne II
    • Walter 'Cockroach' Bradley
    • 1986–1987
    Troy Winbush
    Troy Winbush
    • Denny
    • 1987–1991
    • Creator
      • Michael Leeson
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews110

    7.438.2K
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    Featured reviews

    8safenoe

    Separate the artist from the art

    As a series, The Cosby Show was groundbreaking, portraying a middle-upper black American family. Definitely not Good Times from the 70s. The writing was memorable, with episodes dealing with the issues that any middle-upper black American family must contend with.
    tfrizzell

    Do You Remember the Real Good Old Days?

    Bill Cosby had been on television throughout the 1960s and 1970s. His success had been adequate, but far from impressive. By 1984, NBC wanted to have a show that would be endeared not only by minority groups, but also by white America. Enter "The Cosby Show", the very definition of a Nielsen Ratings Monster as it devoured competition, along with cohort "Cheers", for the better part of the 1980s and early-1990s. The series is basically the life of Cosby with a few creative twists. Cosby, an obstetrician, lives in New York with his wife Phylicia Rashad (an attorney) and their four children (Lisa Bonet, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Tempestt Bledsoe and Keshia Knight-Pulliam). Comedy and drama would always dominate the series, but an early criticism of "The Cosby Show" was that it had no real point to it. Enter eldest child Sabrina Le Beauf who was created the middle of season one. This child was away at college and receiving a first-class education at an Ivy League School. And that is the point of "The Cosby Show"---two parents doing their best to give their five children the life and opportunities that they have taken advantage of. The Le Beauf character was a culmination of everything that Cosby and Rashad did with the four younger children. As the series grew, the cast grew to include performers like Geoffrey Owens, Joseph C. Phillips, Deon Richmond and scene-stealer Raven-Symone. The greatest problem that most had with the show was that critics said it did not show accurate African-American life in this country. To be perfectly honest, this show does not show typical life for the vast majority of this nation's population. There are not many white children in this nation that have a doctor and a lawyer as parents so that criticism lacks substance and social research. Cosby always kept the show somewhat light-hearted and sometimes shied away from some key issues of the time period, but keep in mind that his name was on the program and everything was written as if the characters were sometimes walking on eggshells. Bonet created the controversy for the series during its run, especially in 1987 with her very adult-oriented role in "Angel Heart". That did not deter, but rather engross an even larger audiences tuned in by the late-1980s. Slowly the younger performers grew up and grew out of their roles and the series finally began to show its age by the 1990s. But for a few fleeting moments in the 1980s, was there anyone bigger than Bill Cosby? I think not. 5 stars out of 5.
    Sargebri

    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.
    9connorveenstra

    Still really good.

    Despite all the controversy surrounding Bill Cosby, it's undeniable that the Cosby Show is one of the funniest and most important shows to ever come on television. This show redefined what a black family could be on TV and taught important life lessons with each episode.

    Just try to ignore the bull surrounding this brilliant show and enjoy it at face value. It's a funny, intelligent show that shouldn't be ignored due to the actions of its star.
    Brian-272

    I always looked up to Bill Cosby as a father figure and role model.

    Back in the 80's "The, Cosby Show" was the number one show in America. Some felt the show went a little to far as showing a black family being to successful. The heads of the house were both rich and successful "Cliff" a doctor and Clair a lawyer. I enjoyed this show for the funny moments it brought. The adventures of the Huxtable kids always found entertaining never a dull moment was found with Sondra, Denise, Theo, and little Rudy. Most important the character of Bill Cosby that being Dr. Heathcliff "Cliff" Huxtable was the one to watch. I always looked at Bill and even his character as a role model for the good advice that was given. "Cliff" and even Bill Cosby always did listen and give great advice to a person. Both made great father figures, no wonder "The, Cosby Show" was such a hit and made Bill Cosby so popular and wealthy in the entertainment business. You can still watch the reruns of this hit series on TBS so watch your friend many times again that being Bill Cosby and Dr. Heathcliff.

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    Related interests

    Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, and Matthew Perry in Friends (1994)
    Sitcom
    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy
    Drew Barrymore and Pat Welsh in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
    Family
    Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca (1942)
    Romance

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      At the beginning of the pilot, Sondra, the Huxtables' eldest daughter, was added as an afterthought. However, when Clair Huxtable mentions the couple's four children, they decide to add another child to represent the results of a good upbringing. The casting came down to 26-year-old Sabrina Le Beauf and 21-year-old Whitney Houston. LeBeauf was too old for the role, only ten years younger than Phylicia Rashad. However, Houston refused to sign a contract committing her to the show as she wanted to pursue her singing career. This forced the producer's hand, and LeBeauf was given the role of Sondra.
    • Goofs
      In the first season, Theo makes his high school football team. By season 2 when Rudy gets into Pee Wee football, the family brags how one of the Huxtable kids made a football team. Never is there any mention of Theo playing in high school the year before.
    • Quotes

      Clair Huxtable: Cliff, why did we have four children?

      Cliff: Because we did not want five.

    • Crazy credits
      The season after Lisa Bonet left the series, Bill Cosby can be seen holding a photo of Bonet during the opening credits.
    • Alternate versions
      The season 1 DVD set was made up of edited, syndication-length episodes missing about 2 minutes per episode from their original broadcast. It was only because of the consumer outcry that season 2 and beyond were released unedited. The "Complete Series" set includes all 8 seasons, including the first one, in the original uncut network versions.
    • Connections
      Featured in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson: George Carlin/Keshia Knight Pulliam (1984)
    • Soundtracks
      Kiss Me
      Composed by Stu Gardner and Bill Cosby

      Performed by Bobby McFerrin

      (season 4)

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    FAQ17

    • How many seasons does The Cosby Show have?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 20, 1984 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The Bill Cosby Show
    • Filming locations
      • 10 Leroy Street, Greenwich Village, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA(establishing shots of Huxtable Home)
    • Production companies
      • Bill Cosby
      • Carsey-Werner Company
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 30m
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1
      • 4:3

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