The Cosby Show

S01E06: Breaking With Tradition

Cliff's father, Russell, pays a visit and begins questioning Cliff about the kids' college choices. He asks Denise about Hillman, his and Cliff's alma mater. Denise is dead-set against it at first, until Russell tells her that the males outnumber the females there. First appearance of Earle Hyman as Russell Huxtable, Cliff's father.

Overview

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

Pilot / Theo's Economic Lesson

S01E01 Pilot / Theo's Economic Lesson

September 20, 1984 8.0 22 min
Clair is furious when Theo brings home a report card with 4 D's. He tells Cliff that he has no intention of going to college, as he feels that he is destined to be a...
Mr. Fish  (a.k.a. Goodbye, Mr. Fish)

S01E02 Mr. Fish (a.k.a. Goodbye, Mr. Fish)

September 27, 1984 9.5 22 min
When Rudy's pet fish, Lamont, dies, Cliff tries to bring the family together for a funeral in the bathroom. The festivities end when Rudy gets bored and leaves to watch TV.
Bad Dreams

S01E03 Bad Dreams

October 4, 1984 9.0 22 min
Vanessa claims that she is old enough to watch a scary movie, but Cliff still forbids it. Vanessa sneaks out anyway, but ends up having nightmares as a result.
Is That My Boy?

S01E04 Is That My Boy?

October 11, 1984 5.2 22 min
Freshman Theo tries out for the football team and makes it. Cliff is overjoyed, but his pride falters when he discovers his son will never be a star. Theo, however, is just happy being on...
A Shirt Story

S01E05 A Shirt Story

October 18, 1984 10.0 22 min
Theo wants to impress a girl by wearing an expensive shirt by designer Gordon Gartrelle. Since Cliff and Clair will not pay for it, Denise offers to make a copy of the shirt for him....
Breaking With Tradition

S01E06 Breaking With Tradition

October 25, 1984 8.0 22 min
Cliff's father, Russell, pays a visit and begins questioning Cliff about the kids' college choices. He asks Denise about Hillman, his and Cliff's alma mater. Denise is dead-set against it at first, until Russell tells...
One More Time

S01E07 One More Time

November 1, 1984 8.0 22 min
While Clair cares for a friend's baby, she begins to consider having another. Cliff desperately tries to talk her out of it, claiming that babies are "false advertising." Clair's mother, Carrie, then reminds her that...
Play It Again, Vanessa

S01E08 Play It Again, Vanessa

November 8, 1984 8.0 22 min
Vanessa plays clarinet in the school's orchestra. Though she tries her best and practices daily, she simply cannot play the instrument. She plays an embarrassing solo at the school concert, but her parents support her...
How Ugly Is He?

S01E09 How Ugly Is He?

November 15, 1984 9.0 22 min
Denise has a new boyfriend, David, but is reluctant to bring him home. She fears that Cliff will, like always, make fun of the boy and ruin her chances with him. Cliff and Clair are...
Bonjour, Sondra

S01E10 Bonjour, Sondra

November 22, 1984 22 min
Sondra, the eldest Huxtable child makes her first appearance when she visits home for Thanksgiving. She plans on going to Paris for the summer, and hopes that her parents will support the decision.
You're Not a Mother Night

S01E11 You're Not a Mother Night

December 6, 1984 8.0 22 min
Clair is exhausted from constantly caring for the children. Cliff decides to take her out on the town for "You're Not a Mother Night." They go to a fancy restaurant and hotel. While there, some...
Rudy's Sick

S01E12 Rudy's Sick

December 13, 1984 22 min
Clair could be named partner at her law firm if an interview goes well-but Rudy is sick! Cliff vows to take care of her while Clair works, and engages in some unique doctoring methods. Clair...
Father's Day

S01E13 Father's Day

December 20, 1984 8.0 22 min
Cliff complains about the poor quality of his annual Father's Day gifts. He challenges the children to find some better presents for a December Father's Day. They give him thoughtful-if not quite attractive-presents.
Independence Day

S01E14 Independence Day

January 10, 1985 22 min
Theo gets his ear pierced to impress a girl, but Denise thinks it might be infected. She is correct, and Theo must go to Cliff. Cliff hopes that Grandpa Huxtable will punish Theo, but the...
Physician of the Year

S01E15 Physician of the Year

January 17, 1985 22 min
Cliff is set to receive an important award, but a woman goes into labor right before the ceremony. Theo delivers his speech for him. Aleta Mitchell as Mrs. Randall, Elisa de la Roche as Nurse,...
Jitterbug Break

S01E16 Jitterbug Break

January 31, 1985 22 min
Cliff tries to impress Denise's friends by teaching them how to jitterbug. Some of Clair's friends also show off their dance moves. Soon, the whole house is full of dancers. Blair Underwood as Denise's boyfriend...
Theo and the Joint

S01E17 Theo and the Joint

February 7, 1985 22 min
Clair discovers a marijuana joint in one of Theo's school books. She and Cliff confront him about it, and accept his explanation—another boy slipped it in. Theo confronts the boy and brings him home to...
Vanessa's New Class

S01E18 Vanessa's New Class

February 14, 1985 22 min
Vanessa is placed in an advanced science class. She creates a model of the solar system, but learns that she will have to work harder than ever if she hopes to succeed. First appearance of...
Clair's Case

S01E19 Clair's Case

February 21, 1985 22 min
A sneaky mechanic tries to swindle Sondra. It's Clair to the rescue as the two battle in court. David Langston Smyrl as the man in court, Shawn Elliott as Mr. Wilson, Alan North as Judge
Back to the Track, Jack

S01E20 Back to the Track, Jack

February 28, 1985 8.0 22 min
Cliff's college track coach contacts him and asks to run in a charity event between Hillman and its rival, Norton College. Heathcliff "Combustible Huxtable" trains, but soon learns that he is not the runner he...
The Younger Woman

S01E21 The Younger Woman

March 14, 1985 10.0 22 min
Cliff and Clair receive a visit from an old friend—and he has a new girlfriend that is half his age. They are initially suspicious, but learn that judging by appearances isn't always right.
Slumber Party

S01E22 Slumber Party

March 28, 1985 10.0 22 min
Rudy invites all of her friends over for a slumber party. It's Cliff's job to watch over them, and he demonstrates some unique games to wrangle the youngsters. In the end, Russell drops by and...
Mr. Quiet

S01E23 Mr. Quiet

May 2, 1985 7.0 22 min
Cliff, Clair, and the Huxtable clan volunteer at a local community center. There, a battered boy tries to find help, and the owner—Tony Castillo—does his best to lend assistance.
Cliff's Birthday

S01E24 Cliff's Birthday

May 9, 1985 22 min
Cliff is turning 48, and as usual, he is trying to find out what his birthday present is ahead of time. Clair, with the help of the kids, orchestrates a huge trick. Cliff is fooled,...

Cast

Bill Cosby
Bill Cosby
Heathcliff Huxtable
Phylicia Rashād
Phylicia Rashād
Clair Huxtable
Malcolm-Jamal Warner
Malcolm-Jamal Warner
Theo Huxtable
Tempestt Bledsoe
Tempestt Bledsoe
Vanessa Huxtable
Keshia Knight Pulliam
Keshia Knight Pulliam
Rudy Huxtable
Sabrina Le Beauf
Sabrina Le Beauf
Sondra Huxtable
Geoffrey Owens
Geoffrey Owens
Elvin Tibideaux
Raven-Symoné
Raven-Symoné
Olivia Kendall
Erika Alexander
Erika Alexander
Pam Tucker

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