About this season
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.
Episodes (25)
1. Bring 'em Back Alive
Aired 25 September 1986 • 22 min
The Huxtable house is thrown into chaos after Rudy finds a snake in the basement.
2. Food for Thought
Aired 2 October 1986 • 22 min
Clair challenges Cliff to not eat any salty food for the day. Denise leaves for her freshman year at Hillman College.
3. Golden Anniversary
Aired 9 October 1986 • 22 min
Russell and Anna's 50th wedding anniversary. The family performs James Brown's "I Got the Feelin' " in this sequel to Season 2's "Happy Anniversary". Earle Hyman as Russell. Clarice Taylor as Anna. Geoffrey Owens as Elvin. Appearance by Frank Foster and the Count Basie Orchestra. First mention of Rudy's desire to have a husband named "Bud" when she grows up.
4. Man Talk
Aired 16 October 1986 • 22 min
Although he has a steady girlfriend, Theo wants to start dating someone else.
5. Mother, May I?
Aired 23 October 1986 • 22 min
After Clair specifically forbids her from wearing make-up, Vanessa, behind her mothers back does it anyways.
6. The March
8.0Aired 30 October 1986 • 22 min
Theo writes a report on the March on Washington. But gets a poor grade and is asked to redo his project. Much to his surprise he learns more about the march from his family than he did from books. Meanwhile Vanessa is worried about asking a boy to the turn-around dance. Earle Hyman as Russell. Clarice Taylor as Anna. Joe Williams as Al Hanks. Ethel Ayler as Carrie Hanks.
7. Theo's Flight
Aired 6 November 1986 • 22 min
Theo and Cockroach decide they want to learn to fly, but Cliff doesn't want to waste his money on another dream of his son's. Carl Anthony Payne II as Cockroach. First appearance of Deon Richmond as Kenny, a.k.a. "Bud".
8. Vanessa's Rich
Aired 13 November 1986 • 22 min
Friends call Vanessa a stuck-up rich girl at school. Guest appearance by Essence Atkins.
9. Denise Gets a D
Aired 20 November 1986 • 22 min
Denise's college career starts with a D, but Denise is to scared to show her parents. Clair needs to rest in bed because of a pinched nerve. Rudy portrays "the wind" in a school play. Rosalind Cash as Dr. Hughes (The episode is preceded by a 30-second anti-drug public service announcement featuring Bill Cosby).
10. A Girl and Her Dog
Aired 4 December 1986 • 22 min
Rudy and Peter find a dog and attempt to take care of it without her parents knowing. Peter Costa as Peter.
11. War Stories
Aired 11 December 1986 • 22 min
Cliff and his father's friend play a challenging game of cards. Venesa prepares to go to a skating party with date Robert Forman, soon find a very cute guy will cross her path Earle Hyman as Russell.
12. Cliff in Charge
Aired 18 December 1986 • 22 min
Cliff is in charge when Clair leaves for 10 days.
13. Monster Man Huxtable
Aired 8 January 1987 • 22 min
Elvin helps Theo with some wrestling moves, although he and Sondra have made plans for the weekend, and reveals that he is thinking of marrying her. Geoffrey Owens as Elvin.
14. Rudy Spends the Night
Aired 15 January 1987 • 22 min
Cliff establishes the Huxtable Men's Club when the women are away to help Theo get over his sadnes of a lost date. Venessa is very excited that big sister Denise is letting her go to the Village with Denise's college friends.
15. Say Hello to a Good Buy
Aired 22 January 1987 • 22 min
Cliff buys a new car. Rudy cuts some animal pictures out of Cliff's expensive books for school. Guest appearance by Sinbad, who would later portray Walter Oakes on the Cosby Show spinoff, A Different World. Watched by almost 65 million viewers when it originally aired, "Say Hello to a Good Buy" was the series' highest rated episode.
16. Denise Gets an Opinion
Aired 5 February 1987 • 22 min
Denise has a blind date, but is really scared. So she asks Theo to grade him for her!!!! But this soon leads to a big hilarious mix up.
17. Calling Doctor Huxtable
Aired 12 February 1987 • 22 min
Cliff is called to the hospital for 3 deliveries, Malinda Williams appearance, Patricia Richardson appearance.
18. You Only Hurt the One You Love
Aired 19 February 1987 • 22 min
Rudy gets hurt from Theo's rough games. Rudy cries. Theo gets punished. Clair goes to a doctor and gets the same advice that Cliff gave her. Cliff learns that the woman who cleans up the Doctor's Lounge at the hospital (Rita Moreno) has been fired. Absent: Sabrina Le Beauf as Sondra Huxtable and Lisa Bonet as Denise Huxtable.
19. The Shower
Aired 26 February 1987 • 22 min
Denise holds a bridal shower for her pregnant and bride-to-be friend Veronica, but finds out some disturbing information. Absent: Sabrina Le Beauf as Sondra Huxtable, although mentioned.
20. Cliff's 50th Birthday
Aired 12 March 1987 • 22 min
Cliff's 50th birthday has all kinds of surprises.
21. I Know That You Know
Aired 19 March 1987 • 22 min
When Sondra and Elvin announce their engagement, Clair and the children use the news to play a practical joke on Cliff, who launches a counter-offensive of his own. Geoffrey Owens as Elvin.
22. Andalusian Flu
Aired 2 April 1987 • 22 min
While Cliff and Clair have the flu, Theo tries to keep the house going.
23. Bald and Beautiful
Aired 9 April 1987 • 22 min
Cliff's Navy friend comes to visit. Cockroach shaves his head to be in a rock video. Robert Culp (Bill Cosby's co-star from the 1960s TV series I Spy) appears as Scott Kelly.
24. Planning Parenthood
Aired 30 April 1987 • 22 min
Clair's sister decides she wants to be a mother. Cliff takes Rudy and her friends out to eat at a fancy restaurant.
25. Hillman
Aired 7 May 1987 • 22 min
The Huxtable family goes to Hillman College to attend a ceremony in honor of its president's retirement. Guest appearance by Joe Seneca. Filmed at Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia. The episode serves as a backdoor pilot for the spinoff series A Different World, which premieres in the fall of 1987.