The Best Cosby Show Episodes of All Time
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2.8K votes
437 voters
Voting Rules
Best Cosby Show episodes, no matter how popular they are. of All Time
List of the best Cosby Show episodes, as determined by voters like you. Starring stand up comedian Bill Cosby, this show chronicles the lives of the Huxtable family. With all the amazing episodes of the show that exist, it's hard to trust just one person's opinion of what the top Cosby Show episodes of all time are. Fans of The Cosby Show are very passionate about the show, and there are often debates over which episodes are the greatest. That's why this list exists- so you can vote for your favorites and we can find out once and for all what everyone thinks the best episode is.
Examples of episodes on this list include "And So We Commence" and "Looking Back." What is the best Cosby Show episode of all time? Look below and find out.Most divisive: 57 Varieties
Over 400 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Cosby Show Episodes of All Time
- 1
Theo's Holiday
April 03, 1986After Theo claims that he'll have no problem making it in the "real world", the Huxtables convert their house in the "Real World Apartments" and teach him a lesson about the real world; i.e., needing employment and references to get an apartment, income to get a bank loan, having to pay for his meals, etc. Carl Anthony Payne II as Cockroach. - 2
Happy Anniversary
October 10, 1985For Russell and Anna's 49th wedding anniversary, the family commissions a portrait of the couple as newlyweds, and offers them a cruise to Europe. Later in the evening, the whole family performs Ray Charles' "Night Time Is the Right Time", with Theo, Rudy and Cliff each lip-synching a solo. Earle Hyman as Russell. Clarice Taylor as Anna. - 3
Cliff in Love
October 17, 1985Sondra breaks up with her boyfriend Elvin and is depressed, taking it out on the family. Cliff and Clair aren't exactly unhappy; they find Elvin rather annoying. Later, he appears at the house with flowers and tries to apologize. While there, he offers some of his sexist rhetoric to Clair, who quickly becomes annoyed. First appearance of Geoffrey Owens as Elvin. Joseph C. Phillips appears as Daryl (Phillips joins the cast in Season 6 as Denise's new husband, Navy Lt. Martin Kendall) - 4
Off to See the Wretched
April 05, 1990Vanessa and her friends sneak out of town to attend a concert in Baltimore, but encounter huge problems along the way. Afterwards, she must face the wrath of Cliff and an infuriated Clair. - 5
Mrs. Westlake
January 02, 1986Theo's math teacher comes for dinner, to Theo's extreme consternation. He thinks she plans to tell his parents of a bad grade on a math test. To his surprise, Mrs. Westlake comes to dinner looking young, attractive, and even with a sense of humor; and she has a very good surprise! Mrs. Westlake also gives Theo his test-he actually gets an 89, and he proceeds to embrace her, much to his shock. Sonia Braga as Mrs. Westlake. - 6
First Day of School
September 26, 1985Cliff and Clair are overjoyed with the arrivial of the new school year, as their children are finally out of the house. - 7
Cliff's Wet Adventure
November 16, 1989Denise invites Martin's ex-wife Paula for Thanksgiving dinner. Clair continues to send Cliff to the store for last-minute groceries, despite the fact that it is a cold and rainy Thanksgiving Day. Victoria Rowell as Paula. - 8
Pilot
September 20, 1984Clair 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 ""regular person."" Cliff uses Monopoly money to teach him about the economic realities that many blue-collar workers must face. He assures Theo that he only wants him to try his best. Cliff is alarmed to meet Denise's latest beau, a former merchant marine who once spent time in a Turkish prison. - 9
Slumber Party
March 28, 1985Rudy 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! - 10
Golden Anniversary
October 09, 1986Russell and Anna's 50th wedding anniversary. The family performs James Brown's "I Got the Feelin' " in this sequel to Season 2's "Happy Anniversary". Earle Hyman as Russell. Clarice Taylor as Anna. Geoffrey Owens as Elvin. Appearance by Frank Foster and the Count Basie Orchestra. First mention of Rudy's desire to have a husband named "Bud" when she grows up. - 11
If the Dress Fits, Wear It
December 08, 1988Clair secretly goes on a crash diet and exercise program to lose five pounds in a week so she can fit into a dress. Appearance by Debbie Allen; voice-over by Ahmad Rashād (Phylicia Rashād's sister and husband). - 12
Looking Back Part 1
November 12, 1987Sondra and Elvin have their first marital fight, and Elvin comes to the Huxtable house for comfort and support. Clair shares about the difficulties in their house as flashbacks are shown. - 13
Dance Mania
December 03, 1987Theo and Cockroach have tickets to appear on television on the dance show "Dance Mania", but are told that only one of them can enter the studio during the filming because of fire laws. Theo miscalculates by offering to let Cockroach go in (thinking he'll refuse) and gets angry when Cockroach takes him up on the offer. First appearances of Troy Winbush as Denny, and Adam Sandler as Smitty. Final appearance of Carl Anthony Payne II as Cockroach. Bill Cosby appears on the episode of A Different World which airs later that evening. - 14
A Touch of Wonder
February 20, 1986After his limo collides with Denise's car, Stevie Wonder (appearing as himself) invites the Huxtables to a recording session. Wonder performs "I Just Called to Say I Love You" with Clair and the family. Absent: Sabrina Le Beauf as Sondra Huxtable. - 15October 03, 1985Cliff, who has a fetish for electronic appliances, buys a juicer. Rudy and Peter, bored from Vanessa's inattentive baby-sitting, decide to use it even they are not allow to use appliances. David Langston Smyrl as Mr. Lucas. Peter Costa as Peter.
- 16
Clair's Toe
December 05, 1985While preparing to go out on a proposal anniversary dinner, Clair breaks her toe, but tries not to let it upset her routine. In the end, she develops a unique piece of footwear to hide her cast. - 17
Waterworks
February 11, 1988Clair tries to stop Cliff from fixing a leaky pipe by hiring a team of professionals: friends of Sondra and Elvin from Princeton. - 18
The Birth Part 2
November 10, 1988Sondra gives birth to twins -- a boy and a girl -- who are named after Nelson Mandela and his then-wife Winnie. Elvin decides to return to medical school. - 19
Cliff's Birthday
May 09, 1985Cliff 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. - 20
Father's Day
December 20, 1984Cliff 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. - 21
Mr. Fish (a.k.a. Goodbye, Mr. Fish)
September 27, 1984When 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. - 22
Bookworm
January 07, 1988Clair drags Cliff to her book club meeting, and he's the lone male there. Much to Clair's surprise, Cliff knows quite a bit about the book in question! Meanwhile, the kids attempt a sleepover at Sondra and Elvin's run-down studio apartment, but are overwhelmed by the noise and lack of utilities. Appearances by Angela Bassett and S. Epatha Merkerson. - 23
Theo and Cockroach
January 30, 1986Theo and his friend Cockroach scheme to pass a test on William Shakespeare's "Macbeth", which neither one has read. First appearance of Carl Anthony Payne II as Cockroach. Phylicia Ayers-Allen changes her professional name to Phylicia Rashād, after marrying NBC sportscaster Ahmad Rashād. - 24
How Do You Get to Carnegie Hall?
December 01, 1988Vanessa, Janet and Kara want to be professional singers; Russell wins a prize in a sweepstakes, which turns out to be a toaster. Pam Potillo as Janet. Elizabeth Narvaez as Kara. Guest appearance by singer Betty Carter. - 25
Theo and the Older Woman
October 24, 1985When friend Suzanne accompanies Denise to observe the Huxtables' normal behavior, a smitten Theo behaves far from normally. Robin Givens as Suzanne. Blair Underwood as Mark. - 26
The Physical
October 13, 1988Cliff prepares for a physical. John Amos as Dr. Bradley Herbert, Jr. - 27
Rudy's Sick
December 13, 1984Clair 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. - 28
Rudy's Walk on the Wild Side
February 08, 1990Rudy steals money from Clair to buy a sweatshirt (Rudy and her friend Kim do the Electric Slide). Deon Richmond as Kenny. - 29
Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
January 14, 1988Rudy has to play the violin in music class at school, but gets jealous because she thinks her classmates' instruments are more fun. Deon Richmond as Kenny. Naoka Nakagawa as Kim. - 30
Surf's Up
September 28, 1989After recreating one of Cliff's stories, Theo and his roommates are kicked out of their apartment. First appearance of Keith Diamond as Danny. Guest appearance by Anthony Quinn.
