Pilot

Episode aired Sep 20, 1984
TV-PG
24m

IMDb RATING

7.9/10

385

YOUR RATING

Lisa Bonet, Bill Cosby, Tempestt Bledsoe, Keshia Knight Pulliam, and Phylicia Rashad in The Cosby Show (1984)

Comedy Family Romance

Clair is upset when Theo brings home a bad report card and claims he has no plans to attend college; Cliff is horrified to meet Denise's date.Clair is upset when Theo brings home a bad report card and claims he has no plans to attend college; Cliff is horrified to meet Denise's date.Clair is upset when Theo brings home a bad report card and claims he has no plans to attend college; Cliff is horrified to meet Denise's date.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.9/10

385

YOUR RATING

1User review

See production info at IMDbPro

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Top cast8

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Bill Cosby

Dr. Heathcliff 'Cliff' Huxtable

Phylicia Rashad

Clair Huxtable
(as Phylicia Ayers-Allen)

Lisa Bonet

Denise Huxtable

Malcolm-Jamal Warner

Theo Huxtable
(as Malcolm Jamal-Warner)

Tempestt Bledsoe

Vanessa Huxtable

Keshia Knight Pulliam

Rudy Huxtable
(as Keshia Knight-Pulliam)

Todd Hallowell

Denise's Friend
(as Todd Hollowell)

Keith Reddin

Mr. McManis

User reviews1

7.9385

Featured reviews

7Sleepin_Dragon

It's a good start.

Theo couldn't care less when he gets a less than favourable report card, his mother Clair is disappointed, and wants husband Cliff to have a word with him.

I remember this show so well from my childhood, one of those shows we would sit down to watch as a family.

It's an amusing start, this first episode is really about setting the tone, introducing the characters, and giving us an idea of what's to follow.

Favourite scene has to be the father and son moment, where Cliff tries to talk some sense into his carefree son, very funny. Cliff's meeting with the daughter's new boyfriend was also amusing.

I am fully aware of the legal matters that followed, and I'm sure I'll delve into those later in the journey, for now though, I just wanted to wallow in the nostalgia.

7/10.

Trivia
At the beginning of the Pilot episode, the Huxtables live in a different house and have four children, not five.

Goofs
The exterior shots of the Cosby house shows a typical New York style attached town-home. These have solid common brick walls that separate the units. Therefore, there wouldn't be a window in the stair well in the living room showing the outside, the only thing on the other side of that wall would be the neighbor's living room.

Quotes
[Theo has received a "D" and is explaining why he should not be punished]
Theo: You're a doctor and Mom's a lawyer, and you're both successful in everything and that's great! But maybe I was born to be a regular person and have a regular life. If you weren't a doctor, I wouldn't love you less, because you're my dad. So rather than feeling disappointed because I'm not like you, maybe you should accept who I am and love me anyway, because I'm your son.
Cliff: Theo... that's the dumbest thing I've ever heard in my life! No wonder you get D's in everything! You're afraid to try because you're afraid your brain is going to explode and it's going to ooze out of your ears. Now I'm telling you, you are going to try as hard as you can. And you're going to do it because I said so. I am your father. I brought you into this world, and I'll take you out!