The Cosby Show (1984)
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Clarice Taylor as
Episodes 19
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.
Read MoreHappy Anniversary
For 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.
Read MorePlay It Again, Russell
Russell plays in a tribute with the band he played in years ago. Guest appearances by jazz musicians Tito Puente, Art Blakey, Percy Heath, Jimmy Heath, Tommy Flanagan, Eric Gale, Joe Wilder, Carlos Valdes ("Patato"), Bootsie Barnes, and Jimmy Oliver. Slide Hampton provided the audio track for Russell's trombone solos.
Read MoreDenise's Decision
After much deliberation, Denise chooses the college that she will attend in the fall. Earle Hyman as Russell. Clarice Taylor as Anna.
Read MoreGolden Anniversary
Russell 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.
Read MoreThe March
Theo writes a report on the March on Washington. But gets a poor grade and is asked to redo his project. Much to his surprise he learns more about the march from his family than he did from books. Meanwhile Vanessa is worried about asking a boy to the turn-around dance. Earle Hyman as Russell. Clarice Taylor as Anna. Joe Williams as Al Hanks. Ethel Ayler as Carrie Hanks.
Read MoreRudy Spends the Night
Cliff establishes the Huxtable Men's Club when the women are away to help Theo get over his sadnes of a lost date. Venessa is very excited that big sister Denise is letting her go to the Village with Denise's college friends.
Read MoreHillman
The Huxtable family goes to Hillman College to attend a ceremony in honor of its president's retirement. Guest appearance by Joe Seneca. Filmed at Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia. The episode serves as a backdoor pilot for the spinoff series A Different World, which premieres in the fall of 1987.
Read MoreLooking Back (2)
Flashbacks are shown while history is shared with Elvin.
Read MoreMove It (a.k.a. The Baby Game)
Everyone wants pregnant Sondra and Elvin to find a new house. Elvin's surname, Tibideaux, is revealed.
Read MoreThe Birth (2)
Sondra 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.
Read MoreThe Lost Weekend
With the rest of the family gone for the night, Theo throws a "small" party that gets out of control. Troy Winbush as Denny. Reno Wilson as Howard. First appearance of Alex Ruiz as Lou. Cameo appearance by Joie Lee.
Phylicia Rashād (Clair), Malcolm-Jamal Warner (Theo), Tempestt Bledsoe (Vanessa), and Elizabeth Narvaez (Kara) appear on the episode of A Different World which airs later that evening.
Read MoreIt Comes and It Goes
Sondra bemoans taking care of the twins.
Read MoreThe Day the Spores Landed
Cliff dreams that men worldwide have become pregnant -- including his son Theo, his sons-in-law Elvin and Martin, and himself. Voice-over by NBC News correspondent John Palmer.
Read MoreCliff's Wet Adventure
Denise 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.
Read MoreThe Last Barbecue
The Huxtable family erupts in a battle of the sexes after Theo suggests having a stripper at Martin's post-wedding bachelor party.
Read MoreNo More Mr. Nice Guy
Theo's friend Denny thinks his girlfriend is cheating on him.
Read MoreHome Remedies
When Olivia comes down with a cold, everyone (except Cliff) has a different home remedy to offer as a cure. Russell and Anna celebrate another wedding anniversary. Cliff, Rudy and Olivia perform Koko Taylor's "I'm A Woman".
Read MoreAnd So We Commence (2)
As Theo graduates from NYU, Cliff remembers how a 14 year old Theo received D's in 9th grade and had no desire to attend college at all. Denise telephones and reveals that she is pregnant. Olivia leaves to join Denise and Martin in Singapore.
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