Favorite Episodes: The Cosby Show

by Amy K. Bredemeyer

Most of my friends don't understand my love for The Cosby Show. I remember being about seven years old and watching little Olivia playing the cutest little preschooler that ever was. There were years when I didn't see the show, but it was played plenty during Nick-at-Nite when I was in college (and, let's not lie, many a college student watches his/her share of Nick-at-Nite), so I got to catch up. And it's a good thing I did, because I never knew about the Pam character in my childhood. And I didn't know that Theo became a good student. And I didn't know that Rudy eventually hit puberty and had to deal with all of the drama that goes along with that. There are tons of good episodes of The Cosby Show, but there are a few really boring ones, too. Today, we explore my favorites from each of the eight seasons. My favorite was season 6, where I was between about five episodes (not even considering the holiday-themed ones!) to pick my favorite!

Season 1: "Independence Day" (S01E14) The pilot is fabulous. But, as a rule, I try not to choose pilots. Instead, I go with the episode where Theo gets his ear pierced. Cliff leaves his own father to deal with it, and we hear a bunch of stories of Huxtable men doing crazy things to impress girls.
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

Season 2: "Denise's Decision" (S02E23) Denise can't decide where she wants to go to college. She has had several acceptances, and everyone in the family has an opinion. She has it narrowed down to two, and at dinner announces she has chosen the alma mater of quite a few family members: Hillman. No clip.

Season 3: "The March" (S03E06) Theo is working on a paper for school, but does poorly. He goes to rewrite it, and gets first-hand experiences from his grandparents and parents about the March on Washington. I think the reason that I like it so much is because of the passion portrayed in the re-tellings of that day.
Part 1 Part 2

Season 4: "Where's Rudy" (S04E09) Clair is entering a squash contest at the mall. The whole family is there, but Theo and Vanessa lose Rudy. She hangs out with a friend while Vanessa and Theo go crazy looking for her. Theo and Clair get wind of what's going on and use it to teach the older kids a lesson. I always love the way the Huxtables learn lessons!
Part 1 Part 2

Season 5: "Together Again and Again" (S05E01) So much takes place in this episode! Theo starts college and realizes not everything will be done for him... like finding housing. Sondra and Elvin announce that they are expecting (even though they still live in that small apartment). Denise officially drops out of college, and everyone is shocked.
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

Season 6: "The Birthday Party" (S06E14) Olivia wants a tricycle for her birthday, and enlists the help of her friends to find it. Denise is having trouble doing everything for the party, and makes a cake that has no sugar (or anything else yummy). It's a good thing Cliff helps out!
Part 1 Part 2

Season 7: "Bird in the Hand" (S07E02) Denise isn't done with a term paper that's due the same day she is supposed to volunteer at Olivia's preschool. So, Cliff fills in for Denise. The only problem is that he was supposed to go to an auction that day, so he has to bid over the phone.
Part 1 Part 2

Season 8: "Theo's Future" (S08E14) I wanted to pick the finale. I so, so did. But I think that's because I'm nostalgic. The only truly funny part about it is Cliff trying to invite 8 million people to an event that Theo only has x tickets for. Instead, I pick the episode where Theo starts thinking about his future after college. He can go to graduate school, or he can move to San Francisco for a job.
Part 1 Part 2