The Cosby Show
"The Cosby Show" centers on the lives of the Huxtables: obstetrician Cliff and his lawyer wife Claire, their daughters Sondra, Denise, Vanessa and Rudy, and son Theo. Based on the standup comedy of Bill Cosby, the show focused on his observations of family life. Although based on comedy, the series also addresses some more serious topics, such as learning disabilities and teen pregnancy.
- 1984-1992
- 8 seasons
- NBC
- Comedy, Drama
- TV-G
"The Cosby Show" centers on the lives of the Huxtables: obstetrician Cliff and his lawyer wife Claire, their daughters Sondra, Denise, Vanessa and Rudy, and son Theo. Based on the standup comedy of Bill Cosby, the show focused on his observations of family life. Although based on comedy, the series also addresses some more serious topics, such as learning disabilities and teen pregnancy.
Season 4 Episode Guide
23 Episodes 1987 - 1988
Episode 1
Call of the Wild
Thu, Sep 24, 1987 21 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.
Episode 2
Theogate
Thu, Oct 1, 1987 21 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.
Episode 3
It Ain't Easy Being Green
Thu, Oct 8, 1987 22 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.
Episode 4
Cliff's Mistake
Thu, Oct 15, 1987 30 mins
Cliff misplaces a power drill he borrowed; the children plan a Halloween party.
Episode 5
Shakespeare
Thu, Oct 22, 1987 23 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.
Episode 6
That's Not What I Said
Thu, Oct 29, 1987 21 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.
Episode 7
Autumn Gifts
Thu, Nov 5, 1987 30 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.
Episode 8
Looking Back
Thu, Nov 12, 1987 42 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.
Episode 9
Where's Rudy?
Thu, Nov 19, 1987 21 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.
Episode 10
Dance Mania
Thu, Dec 3, 1987 30 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.
Episode 11
The Locker Room
Thu, Dec 10, 1987 21 mins
Vanessa dates Theo's friend Lyle, and Theo objects. Cliff wants to find out how Rudy makes milk vanish.
Episode 12
The Show Must Go On
Thu, Dec 17, 1987 21 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.
Episode 13
Bookworm
Thu, Jan 7, 1988 30 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.
Episode 14
Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
Thu, Jan 14, 1988 30 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.
Episode 15
The Visit
Thu, Jan 21, 1988 22 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.
Episode 16
The Drum Major
Thu, Feb 4, 1988 22 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.
Episode 17
Waterworks
Thu, Feb 11, 1988 21 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.
Episode 18
Once Upon a Time
Thu, Feb 18, 1988 30 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.
Episode 19
Petanque
Thu, Feb 25, 1988 21 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.
Episode 20
Trust Me
Thu, Mar 3, 1988 22 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.
Episode 21
Home for the Weekend
Thu, Mar 17, 1988 21 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.
Episode 22
The Prom
Thu, Mar 24, 1988 22 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.
Episode 23
Gone Fishin'
Thu, Apr 28, 1988 21 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.