The Cosby Show - Season 1

Episodes

Theo's Economic Lesson

Season 1Episode 130 min

Theo's Economic Lesson

When Theo brings home a poor report card, he claims he does not need good grades to get a job. So Cliff gives him an economics lesson with Monopoly money. Much to Cliff's dismay, Denise goes on a date with Rafael, an older man who is a former merchant marine. Cliff and Clair's plans for a quiet night are ruined when Vanessa and Rudy can't sleep, with Rudy claiming the wolf man was growling in her closet

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

Season 1Episode 230 min

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

When Rudy's goldfish dies, Cliff struggles over how to break the bad news to her. Cliff wants to hold a formal funeral in the bathroom, but the rest of the family has other ideas about the proper site for the "memorial".

Season 1Episode 330 min

Bad Dreams

Cliff forbids ten-year-old Vanessa to see a scary movie; though he allows older brother Theo to go. Vanessa sneaks out to see the movie anyway, but soon regrets it when she begins having nightmares. Now she insists on sleeping with Cliff and Clair, but she quickly overstays her welcome.

Knight to Night

Season 1Episode 430 min

Knight to Night

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 the team.

Is That My Boy?

Season 1Episode 530 min

Is That My Boy?

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. Guest appearance by Kadeem Hardison, who years later would portray Dwayne Wayne on the Cosby Show spinoff, A Different World.

Breaking With Tradition

Season 1Episode 630 min

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.

Season 1Episode 730 min

One More Time

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 the older you are when you have kids, the older you'll be if they end up having to come back and live at home. First appearance of Ethel Ayler as Carrie Hanks, Clair's mother.

Season 1Episode 830 min

A Shirt Story

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 anyway. Guest Dizzy Gillespie as Mr. Hampton, Vanessa's music teacher.

Play It Again, Vanessa

Season 1Episode 930 min

Play It Again, Vanessa

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 initially impressed with David until he expresses some unwanted opinions about medicine and the law at dinner. Kristoff St. John plays boyfriend David.

How Ugly Is He?

Season 1Episode 1030 min

How Ugly Is He?

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.

Bonjour, Sondra

Season 1Episode 1130 min

Bonjour, Sondra

Excited that the whole family will be together for Thanksgiving, Cliff anxiously waits for Sondra's arrival home from Princeton. But instead of celebrating, Sondra spends the holiday trying to persuade her parents to let her go to Paris for the summer.

Season 1Episode 1230 min

Father's Day

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 is named partner and Rudy is fine by the end.

Season 1Episode 1330 min

Rudy's Sick

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

Season 1Episode 1430 min

Independence Day

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 old man instead relates the story of how Cliff tried to slick back his hair to impress Clair, but ended up burning it off! Russell brags, and Anna reminds him of the time that he had a tattoo of her name placed on his chest, but ended up with a huge scar on his chest when he tried to remove it after Anna found out he was actually trying to impress another girl! First appearance of Clarice Taylor as Anna Huxtable, Cliff's mother.

Physician of the Year

Season 1Episode 1530 min

Physician of the Year

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, Sheldon Leonard as Dr. Wexler

Jitterbug Break

Season 1Episode 1630 min

Jitterbug Break

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 (uncredited), Judith Jamison as Marie, Donald McKayle as Ralph, Gerard Cooper as Guy, Christine Langner as Girl

Theo and the Joint

Season 1Episode 1730 min

Theo and the Joint

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 confess in order to remove any uncertainty from his parents about his telling the truth. Theo and the boy actually start to become friends. Stephen Thompson as Anthony Braxton, Iman as Mrs. Montgomery. Rudy says her full name in this episode, Rudith Lillian Huxtable.

Vanessa's New Class

Season 1Episode 1830 min

Vanessa's New Class

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 Pam Potillo as Vanessa's friend Janet Meisner.

Season 1Episode 1930 min

Clair's Case

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

Season 1Episode 2030 min

Back to the Track, Jack

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 was all those years ago.

The Younger Woman

Season 1Episode 2130 min

The Younger Woman

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.

Season 1Episode 2230 min

Slumber Party

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 demonstrates the perfect way to deal with kids-bribe them!

Season 1Episode 2330 min

Mr. Quiet

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

Season 1Episode 2430 min

Cliff's Birthday

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, and doesn't find about what is birthday surprise is: a visit to Lena Horne's private club. Lena Horne as herself, Clarence Williams III as Clarence Thornehill. In episode 12, Cliff says his birthday is in October.

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