X

Join or Sign In

Sign in to customize your TV listings

Continue with Facebook Continue with email

By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.

The Cosby Show Season 4 Episodes

23 Episodes 1987 - 1988

Episode 1

Call of the Wild

Thu, Sep 24, 198721 mins

Cliff & Clair are excited about Sondra & Elvin's plans for grad school, but when they return from their honeymoon, the newlyweds announce other plans. Elvin & Sondra plan to open a wilderness store.

Where to Watch

Episode 2

Theogate

Thu, Oct 1, 198721 mins

Theo and Cockroach come home late after a cross country meet and raid the kitchen. Clair finds this odd, since the coach had traditionally taken the team out to eat afterwards. Theo covers himself by saying they simply didn't eat at the restaurant. The next day, the principal of Theo's school calls requesting a conference. Clair determines that she needs to find out what's going on ... by putting Theo on trial. Theo offers a variety of explanations, but eventually he is forced to admit the truth. While the team was at the fast food restaurant, he and Cockroach had made fun of an overweight, unattractive female employee, and she ran off distraught. The coach immediately ordered the team out of the restaurant, and afterward, dismissed Theo and Cockroach from the team. Clair tells Theo she expects him to be honest and forthcoming with the truth, and that it is difficult to keep lying to cover himself for misdeeds. Theo is remorseful and announces he plans to apologize to the woman he made fun of.

Where to Watch

Episode 3

It Ain't Easy Being Green

Thu, Oct 8, 198722 mins

Cliff has a hard time saying goodbye to his old water heater while Rudy and Clair get into a fight because Clair won't let Rudy wear a summer dress to a winter birthday party.

Where to Watch

Episode 4

Cliff's Mistake

Thu, Oct 15, 198730 mins

Cliff misplaces a power drill he borrowed; the children plan a Halloween party.

Where to Watch

Episode 5

Shakespeare

Thu, Oct 22, 198723 mins

Theo & Walter are studying Shakespeare for school but are not enthused. Cliff decides to have barbecue for dinner and invites family and friends. When Russell hears about the Shakespeare situation, he and his friend read part a play.

Where to Watch

Episode 6

That's Not What I Said

Thu, Oct 29, 198721 mins

Theo's friend gets into an altercation which gets Theo sent to a police station in Coney Island. The altercation gets Cliff and Clair into a fight, and they completely forget about Theo's punishment.

Where to Watch

Episode 7

Autumn Gifts

Thu, Nov 5, 198730 mins

The Huxtables have a problem when they find out the old woman Rudy visits with refuses to take her medication and becomes forgetful; everybody makes several humorous attempts to convince Mrs. Hickson why she needs to take her pills.

Where to Watch

Episode 8

Looking Back

Thu, Nov 12, 198742 mins

Sondra & Elvin have their first marital spat, but it is Elvin who runs home to the parents - Sondra's parents! As Elvin gives his side of the story, flashbacks are shown about Sondra's different boyfriends and their first meeting of Elvin.

Where to Watch

Episode 9

Where's Rudy?

Thu, Nov 19, 198721 mins

The Huxtables head to the mall where Clair enters her garden squash in a contest. Theo and Vanessa are in charge of watching Rudy but they lose track of her. Rudy meets a girl her age and they play together.

Where to Watch

Episode 10

Dance Mania

Thu, Dec 3, 198730 mins

As a present, Clair gives Theo tickets for him and Cockroach to appear on the TV show "Dance Mania." However, when the boys get to the studio, they are told there is only one spot available (due to strict fire codes). Theo, in a joking kind of way, tells Cockroach to go in and enjoy the show ... which is exactly what Cockroach does. Cockroach has a great time, and even gets to dance for a little while with the show's star dancer. Theo is very upset and eventually takes out his frustrations at home, especially when Vanessa and Rudy try to get him to watch the episode where he was supposed to have been on. Eventually, Clair steps in and helps Theo realize that the outcome of the "no, you go in" game had no guaranteed outcome. She then tells him to be happy for Cockroach. Theo realizes his mother is right and, after rejoining the family to apologize, watches the show.

Where to Watch

Episode 11

The Locker Room

Thu, Dec 10, 198721 mins

Vanessa dates Theo's friend Lyle, and Theo objects. Cliff wants to find out how Rudy makes milk vanish.

Where to Watch

Episode 12

The Show Must Go On

Thu, Dec 17, 198721 mins

Cliff is excited to take Rudy and six of her friends to see a Salute to Vaudeville show. They are the only ones in the audience. The children are not the best audience and are not impressed.

Where to Watch

Episode 13

Bookworm

Thu, Jan 7, 198830 mins

Clair's book club invites their spouses to attend a meeting, but Cliff is the only man that shows up. Despite Clair's doubts, Cliff read the book and joins the discussion. Sondra & Elvin have Theo, Vanessa, and Rudy over for a sleepover.

Where to Watch

Episode 14

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

Thu, Jan 14, 198830 mins

Theo works on his psychic abilities but does not have much success. Rudy thinks her teacher hates her and tells her parents her problems. One of which is a music recital where she has to play the violin instead of a more fun instrument.

Where to Watch

Episode 15

The Visit

Thu, Jan 21, 198822 mins

One of Theo's high school friends has cancer and is in the hospital. Theo is hesitant to visit him because it is depressing. Sondra is on a trip without Elvin and he is lonely.

Where to Watch

Episode 16

The Drum Major

Thu, Feb 4, 198822 mins

Vanessa tries out for drum major but keeps getting blocked. Theo finds out it is because no girl has ever been drum major and tries to help. A musician friend of Russell's is in town for a show. Russell tries to repay a debt to his friend.

Where to Watch

Episode 17

Waterworks

Thu, Feb 11, 198821 mins

One tile falls from the bathroom wall, and as Cliff tries to repair it, the problem gets bigger. Clair asks friends of Sondra & Elvin to repair it before Cliff destroys the house when he tries to repair it.

Where to Watch

Episode 18

Once Upon a Time

Thu, Feb 18, 198830 mins

Rudy reads a story she wrote to Cliff and Clair about a happy land where the residents are taken prisoner by the evil king and his men, as acted out in a fantasy sequence by all the characters.

Where to Watch

Episode 19

Petanque

Thu, Feb 25, 198821 mins

The Harmons, friends of the Huxtables, come over for a visit. Cliff and Dr. Harmon get into a heated game of petanque while Theo tries to impress their daughter.

Where to Watch

Episode 20

Trust Me

Thu, Mar 3, 198822 mins

Cliff has worked straight for 22 days, so he takes a day off. While he rests at home, Theo, Vanessa, and Rudy try to stump each other with constant riddles. Clair's friend has marital problems and asks Clair for advice.

Where to Watch

Episode 21

Home for the Weekend

Thu, Mar 17, 198821 mins

Denise comes home from college for the weekend but disappoints her family when she chooses to spend every free moment with her friends instead.

Where to Watch

Episode 22

The Prom

Thu, Mar 24, 198822 mins

Theo and his friends and their dates get ready for their prom while Cliff and Clair have their own prom in the living room.

Where to Watch

Episode 23

Gone Fishin'

Thu, Apr 28, 198821 mins

Theo goes fishing with Cliff and Russell and hooks onto the body of a dead mobster, becoming the object of a local news story. Rudy and Kenny try to hide the fact from Clair that they're taking care of baby birds that have been abandoned.

Where to Watch