Synopsis
Includes:
The Cosby Show: Rudy's All-Nighter (1988)
The Cosby Show: The Birth, Part 2 (1988)
The Cosby Show: Together Again and Again (1988)
The Cosby Show: The Physical (1988)
The Cosby Show: Cyranoise de Bergington (1988)
The Cosby Show: How Do You Get to Carnegie Hall? (1988)
The Cosby Show: If the Dress Fits, Wear It (1988)
The Cosby Show: Move It (1988)
The Cosby Show: Out of Brooklyn (1988)
The Cosby Show: The Birth, Part 1 (1988)
The Cosby Show: Is There a Hamster in the House? (1988)
The Cosby Show: No Way, Baby (1989)
The Cosby Show: Mrs. Huxtable Goes to Kindergarten (1989)
The Cosby Show: Can I Say Something, Please? (1989)
The Cosby Show: The Dead End Kids Meet Dr. Lotus (1989)
The Cosby Show: Truth or Consequences (1989)
The Cosby Show: Cliff Babysits (1989)
The Cosby Show: The Boys of Winter (1989)
The Cosby Show: Birthday Blues (1989)
The Cosby Show: The Lost Weekend (1989)
The Cosby Show: 57 Varieties (1989)
The Cosby Show: Day of the Locusts (1989)
The Cosby Show: What He Did for Love (1989)
The Cosby Show: A Room With No View (1989)
The Cosby Show: Theo's Women (1989)
The Cosby Show: It Comes and It Goes (1989)
The Cosby Show: Rudy's All-Nighter
Cliff (Bill Cosby) is fed up because his daughter Rudy's friends expect him to be funny all the time, so he tries not to be--and fails. As for Rudy (Keshia Knight-Pulliam), she gets into trouble when she and her friend Caroline (Grace Johnston) behave badly during a sleepover. But Caroline turns out to have more than mischief in her resume: as the daughter of a newspaper editor, she is instrumental in helping Theo (Malcolm-Jamal Warner) improve his grade on his first college English paper. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
The Cosby Show: The Birth, Part 2
In the conclusion of a two-part story (originally networkcast as an hour-long special), Sondra (Sabrina LeBeau) gives birth to twins, a boy and a girl, whom she names Nelson and Winnie (as in "Mandela"). Grandfather Cliff (Bill Cosby) is of course elated, but he's also worried that Sondra's husband Elvin will not be able to shoulder his new financial responsibilities--but Elvin has a surprise for all concerned. Meanwhile, Clarice (Phylicia Rashad) and Mrs. Tibedeaux (Marcella Lowry) adjust (sort of) to being grandmothers; and Theo (Malcolm-Jamal Warner) continues to be attracted to his pal Howard's girlfriend Julia (played by supermodel Naomi Campbell), which doesn't bother Howard (Roy Wilson) but certainly annoys Theo's girl Justine (Michelle Thomas). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
The Cosby Show: Together Again and Again
The Season Five opener of The Cosby Show finds Cliff and Clair Huxtable (Bill Cosby, Phylicia Rashad) eagerly looking forward to an "empty nest" as the school year begins. Cliff is particularly delighted that his son Theo will be moving into a dorm during his freshman year at NYU. Unfortunately, Theo forgot to send in his application for a dorm assignment, and will have to remain in the Huxtable household until he can scrounge up an apartment--and if this wasn't enough of an intrusion on Cliff and Clair's solituate, daughter Denise (Lisa Bonet, no longer a regular and billed as "guest star") has dropped out of Hillman college and returned to find a job nearer to home! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
The Cosby Show: The Physical
After being diagnosed with high cholesterol, Cliff (Bill Cosby) is put on a strict diet by Clair (Phylicia Rashad) until his next blood test--and if you think he's happy about this, you don't know Cliff. Meanwhile, Denise (Lisa Bonet) begins her new job as a recording-company secretary, only to find that her accomplishments are ignored and her mistakes are amplified. In high dudgeon, she marches into her boss' office to demand more respect--and guess what happens! Former Good Times regular John Amos appears as Cliff's doctor in this, the 100th episode of The Cosby Show. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
The Cosby Show: Cyranoise de Bergington
Now free to date the gorgeous Julia (Naomi Campbell), Theo (Malcolm-Jamal Warner) is nervous about talking to the girl. His pal Denny generously offers to act as intermediary--and guess, just GUESS who winds up with Julia. On the rebound, Theo goes back to former girlfriend Justine (Michelle Thomas), but she's not interested anymore. Meanwhile, Cliff (Bill Cosby) proves to be a stern and exacting taskmaster as Rudy (Keshia Knight Pulliam) performs numerous household chores to repay a loan. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
The Cosby Show: How Do You Get to Carnegie Hall?
Vanessa (Tempestt Bledsoe), Janet (Pam Potillo) and Kara (Elizabeth Navaez) form a song-and-dance group called The Lipsticks, hoping to use their rendition of "The Loco-Motion" to win a recording contract in a TV dance contest. They need a lot of work with the vocals, but find the lessons conducted by voice teacher Amanda Woods (played by famed jazz singer Betty Carter) to be repetitious and boring. Finally, Vanessa opts to compete for the prize on the strength of her dancing and her costume--a very, very, VERY skimpy costume, much to the shock and dismay of her parents (Bill Cosby, Phylicia Rashad). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
The Cosby Show: If the Dress Fits, Wear It
Clair (Phylicia Rashad) hopes to lose several pounds within a handful of days in order to fit into a fancy dress for an upcoming benefit. Thus, she submits herself to the merciless regimen of aerobics instructor Emma Neuhausen--played by dancer-choreographer Debbie Allen, the real-life sister of Phylicia Rashad. Clair must also keep her reducing efforts a secret from Cliff (Bill Cosby), who has a perverse habit of throwing culinary temptation in her path. Watch for a cameo appearance by another member of Phylicia Rashad's family (so to speak). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
The Cosby Show: Move It
Now that Sondra (Sabrina LeBeauf) and Elvin (Geoffrey Owens) are expecting a child, Sondra's parents Cliff (Bill Cosby) and Clair (Phylicia Rashad) are convinced that it's high time the couple move out of their wretched little studio apartment and find more suitable living quarters. The problem is that Sondra and Elvin haven't got the necessary funds--and they stubbornly refuse to accept any financial aid from her folks. This episode was originally slated to air on October 20, 1988. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
The Cosby Show: Out of Brooklyn
Having struck out on one job after another, Denise (Lisa Bonet) believes that she's finally found her calling in life when she is offered a a position as photographer's assistant--which will require her to go to Africa. Though Cliff (Bill Cosby) and Clair (Phylicia Rashad) are relieved that Denise has gotten work, they aren't entirely convinced that she is prepared for what promises to be a very tough and grueling assignment. Meanwhile, Vanessa (Tempestt Bledsoe) faces yet another romantic crisis when word reaches her that her current beau wants to break up. (Trivia alert: Vanessa's boyfriend Roy is played by Jaime Richards, who as J. August Richards later costarred as Charles Gunn on Angel). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
The Cosby Show: The Birth, Part 1
In the first episode of a two-part story (originally networkcast as an hour-long special), Elvin (Geoffrey Jones has trouble believing that Sondra (Sabrina LeBeau) is going into labor after three false alarms. However, Sondra's dad Cliff (Bill Cosby)--who's had a certain amount of experience in these matters--declares that it's the "real thing" this time. As Elvin goes into full panic mode, Cliff frets over the fact that someone other than himself will be helping Sondra deliver. Meanwhile, Theo's girlfriend Justine (Michelle Thomas) doesn't accept the premise that Theo (Malcolm-Jamal Warner) can remain "just friends" with drop-dead-gorgeous Julia (played by supermodel Naomi Campbell). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
The Cosby Show: Is There a Hamster in the House?
Although Cliff (Bill Cosby) has a history of inadvertently bringing about the early deaths of his family's pets, he allows Rudy (Keshia Knight Pulliam) to look after her friend Caroline's hamster Darren. Perhaps inevitably, Darren falls ill and passes away at the animal clinic, whereupon Cliff desperately tries to pass off an "impostor" as Caroline's beloved pet. The surprising denoument is but one of the episode's many visual and verbal treats, which include a "guest-star" menagerie of exotic animals. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
The Cosby Show: No Way, Baby
Sammy Davis Jr. earned an Emmy nomination for his performance in this rare Monday-night episode of The Cosby Show. Davis is cast as Ray Palomino, the footloose, free-spirited grandfather of an unwed mother-to-be named Louisa (Leticia Herrera). Cliff (Bill Cosby) goes to near-impossible lengths to coax Ray into providing moral support for Louisa in her hour of need--and in the end, both men end up with a lot more than they bargained for. Also in the cast is veteran comic actor Arnold Stang as a hospital visitor who comes to Ray's aid when the old man reveals a painful truth. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
The Cosby Show: Mrs. Huxtable Goes to Kindergarten
Clair (Phylicia Rashad) appears on a Sunday TV panel show, where she debates a few fine historical points with a trio of stuffy and arrogant male professors. The other panelists either ignore her comments or grandiosely condescend to her--but in the end Clair makes such an impression that the producers ask her to become a weekly regular! All of this coincides with the "separation pains" suffered by Cliff (Bill Cosby) when his favorite couch is given to Sondra (Sabrina LeBeauf) and Elvin (Geoffrey Owens). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
The Cosby Show: Can I Say Something, Please?
After Rudy (Keshia Knight Pulliam) and her friends are denied the privilege of watching a video called "The Gross-Out Gang" in the Huxtable living room, Rudy complains that she is weighed down by too many rules and regulations, while her siblings get to do whatever they want. Mulling over Rudy's litany of grievances, Cliff (Bill Cosby) and Clair (Phylicia Rashad) decide to teach her a lesson by granting every privilege that she asks for, consequences or no consequences. Privilege Number One turns out to be the right to stay up and watch TV as late as she wants--and of course, she soon learns to regret her new-found "liberation." ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
The Cosby Show: The Dead End Kids Meet Dr. Lotus
Even though it was his idea that he and Justine (Michelle Thomas) should start dating other people, Theo (Malcolm-Jamal Warner) is riled when he sees Justine in the company of a guy named Scott (Harold Perrineau Jr.)--so much so that he makes a fool of himself in public. Seeking a paranormal method of getting rid of Scott, Theo solicits the aid of a "spiritual scientist" named Dr. Lotus (Moses Gunn). The good doctor is more than willing to place a hex on the troublesome Scott--provided that Theo can come up with an 800-dollar fee! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
The Cosby Show: Truth or Consequences
Vanessa (Tempestt Bledsoe) asks Rudy (Keshia Knight Pulliam) to cover for her when she breaks curfew to go out with her new boyfriend Jeremy (Christopher Carter). This leads to a potential double crisis when Clair (Phylicia Rashad) figures out that Rudy is lying, while Jeremy insists that Vanessa "prove" her commitment to him. Finally, Clair and Cliff (Bill Cosby) demand that Jeremy show up at their house to talk things over--and Vanessa seems mighty nervous that Jeremy will blurt out something he isn't supposed to! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
The Cosby Show: Cliff Babysits
Russell (Earle Hyman) manages to scrounge up tickets for a sold-out Michael Jackson concert, but hasn't got enough for the entire Huxtable family to attend. Rather than have her children miss out on the event, Clair (Phylicia Rashad) talks Cliff (Bill Cosby) into staying home with her to babysit Sondra and Elvin's twin babies--only to leave Cliff alone with the kids when she's called away on business. This episode marks the first appearance of infant twins Donovan Bryant and Darrian Bryant as Nelson Tibideaux and Jalese Grays and Janelle Grays as Winnie Tibideaux, all of whom unintentionally "ad-lib" as Cliff tries to tell them a melancholy story from his youth. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
The Cosby Show: The Boys of Winter
Cliff (Bill Cosby) refuses to tell anyone what has abruptly soured him on the game of basketball. Not even his old youth-league coach Bill Barry (Tiger Haynes) can get Cliff to open up concerning his disillusionment. Finally, Clair (Phylicia Rashad) pinpoints the source of Cliff's attitude when she watches a videotape of a humilitating hospital hoop match in which Cliff and his fellow middle-aged doctors (portrayed by such former NBA stars as Senator Bill Bradley, Dave DeBusschere, Walt Hazzard and Wali "Wonder" Jones) are thoroughly trounced by a squad of young female lab technicians (among them real-life basketball pros Nancy Lieberman-Cline, Teresa Edwards, Stephanie Givens, Rhonda Rompola and Anucha Brown-Sanders)! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
The Cosby Show: Birthday Blues
Cliff (Bill Cosby) makes the fatal mistake of telling Clair (Phylicia Rashad) that she "still looks good" on the occasion of her 46th birthday. To pull Clair out of her birthday blues, Cliff moves heaven and earth to get back in her good graces, while the kids stage an elaborate skit dramatizing various milestones in their mother's life. But nothing really works until Clair is serenaded, in Spanish, by her friend's husband Alberto--who bears a startling resemblance to Placido Domingo! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
The Cosby Show: The Lost Weekend
With the rest of the family out of town, Theo (Malcolm-Jamal Warner) has the Huxtable house all to himself. Taking advantage of the sitaution, Theo's pals Howard (Reno Wilson) and Denny (Troy Winbush) talk hm into throwing a small, intimate party for themselves and their girl friends. You guessed it: The festivities quickly get out of hand and the house is overrun with a plague of uninvited guests, who wreak both havoc and damage in equal measure--and worst of all, Theo's girl never shows up! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
The Cosby Show: 57 Varieties
Invited to go on an archeological trip to Egypt, Theo (Malcolm Jamal-Warner) is unable to rely on his parents for the necessary money--he's already into them way, way too deep to ask for even a penny more! Meanwhile, Theo's pals Howard (Reno Wilson) and Lou (Alex Ruiz) try to persuade Cliff (Bill Cosby) and Clair (Phylicia Rashad) that the trip will do their son a world of good. Joining the chorus is Theo's teacher Professor Grayson (Eden Svendahl), a clever and capricious lady who provides this final episode of The Cosby Show's fifth season with a most unusual throughline. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
The Cosby Show: Day of the Locusts
Coming down with a bad case of strep throat, Sondra (Sabrina LeBeauf) is temporarily unable to care for the twins by herself. This situation proves to be a golden opportunity for the babies' grandmothers Clair (Phylicia Rashad) and Francine (Marcella Lowery), who swoop down and "kidnap" the twins for a fun family outing. As an outraged Sondra (who has long dreaded this moment) chases all over town, the babies and their doting grandmas zip and zap from one location to another, seemingly at the speed of light! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
The Cosby Show: What He Did for Love
When Theo's buddy Denny (Troy Winbush) finds a valuable designer watch, his friends pressure him into giving the timepiece to his girlfriend Jade (Vanessa Williams) as a present. Unfortunately, the watch turns out to be stolen, and both Jade and Denny end up at the local cop shop. Though this crisis is resolved, Jade is so mad at Denny that she dumps him on the spot--and in his efforts to bring the couple back together, Cliff(Bill Cosby) as usual makes things all that much worse! Featured in the cast is Don Reed, who'd previously played Chip St. Charles on the Cosby Showspinoff A Different World. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
The Cosby Show: A Room With No View
When the latest sibling war between Vanessa (Tempestt Bledsoe) and Rudy (Keshia Knight Pulliam) escalates into fullscale property damage, dad Cliff (Bill Cosby) orders the girls to shut up, smile and get along. They proceed do just that--but only when their parents are around. Ultimately, Cliff and Clair (Phylicia Rashad) "sentence" the girls to live in the basement until they can stop quarrelling. It takes the scare tactics of brother Theo (Malcolm-Jamal Warner), who convinces his sisters that the Huxtable cellar has been built upon the bones of an ancient graveyard, to resolve the situation with ruthless efficiency! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
The Cosby Show: Theo's Women
Vanessa Williams guest stars as a college drama student named Jade, who inveigles Theo (Malcolm-Jamal Warner) into helping her rehearse a love scene. Accused of lacking the proper emotions, Theo responds by passionately kissing Jade--just as his girlfriend Justine (Michelle Thomas) enters the scene! Refusing to believe Theo's protestations of innocence, Justine walks out on him, whereupon our hero turns to his dad Cliff (Bill Cosby) for advice on winning her back. Cliff responds with one simple command: "Beg!" ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
The Cosby Show: It Comes and It Goes
Not only has new mom Sondra (Sabrina LeBeauf) been worn to a frazzle caring for the twins, but she is also sore that her med-school student husband Elvin (Geoffrey Owens) seems to be taking her for granted. As for Elvin, his efforts to convince Sondra that he's as caring and concerned as ever fail dismally. Ulitmately, the couple's female relatives figure out how to get Sondra and Elvin back on track--but not before Cliff (Bill Cosby), in his zeal to castigate Elvin for his lack of consideration, is shown to be even LESS considerate than his son-in-law! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
