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The Best Episodes of Cosby

Every episode of Cosby ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Cosby!

Binge this in 2d 0h•Peaking at 9.1/10

Cosby is an American situation comedy television series broadcast on CBS from September 16, 1996 to April 28, 2000, loosely based on the British sitcom One Foot in the Grave. The program stars Bill Cosby

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Cosby Season 4 Episode 10 - One for the Books
    9.1/10(30 votes)

    #1 - One for the Books

    S4:E10

    Ruth and Pauline try to help save a friend's failing bookstore by annexing it to the Flower Cafe.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. Cosby Season 4 Episode 6 - There's Something About Hilton
    8.4/10(20 votes)

    #2 - There's Something About Hilton

    S4:E6

    A strange woman comes to the shop under the impression that Hilton is her husband, Charlie.

    Director:Don Scardino
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. Cosby Season 2 Episode 5 - Older and Out
    8.3/10(26 votes)

    #3 - Older and Out

    S2:E5

    Hilton is overjoyed when he meets new friends Chuck and Larry and joins their ""Older and Out"" team, since he's also older and he's ""out"" keeping busy. Ruth discovers that Chuck is gay, and she mistakenly believes that her husband of more than 30 years may have feelings for a man! Blaming herself for letting the spark go out of the marriage, Ruth sets off to win him back before a surprised Hilton discovers the real meaning of ""Older and Out.""

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. Cosby Season 3 Episode 17 - Ol' Betsy
    8.3/10(17 votes)

    #4 - Ol' Betsy

    S3:E17

    While searching for a rare part for his beloved turntable, Hilton bumps into an old friend from his bachelor days, Fred. When Hilton and Fred start reminiscing about how they double-dated sisters Mattie and Roberta Singleton, Hilton decides to play matchmaker and prompts Fred into learning whatever became of Mattie. Even now, years later, Fred can't help wondering what might have happened if they remained a couple.... and, thanks to Hilton, he may finally get a chance to find out.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. Cosby Season 2 Episode 16 - Out to Launch
    8.1/10(18 votes)

    #5 - Out to Launch

    S2:E16

    Hilton is bequeathed a boat by a wealthy man he once helped at the airport. Despite Ruth's insistence that he doesn't have the stamina or the money to support a boating hobby, Hilton persists -- including spending three days on the boat with Griffin, parked outside the house in the freezing cold.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. Cosby Season 1 Episode 5 - The Best Little Antique Shop in Astoria
    8.0/10(26 votes)

    #6 - The Best Little Antique Shop in Astoria

    S1:E5

    Hilton is shocked to find out that an antique store where he has a new job is really a front for illegal activity: a brothel the police are planning to raid. When the cops want Hilton to help put the criminals out of business, he overeagerly accepts the challenge to do his duty as an American citizen and take part in their ""undercover sting operation."" Meanwhile, he is sworn to secrecy about his assignment and is therefore unable to stop Ruthie from spending the paycheck he knows he will never receive.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of Cosby

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  7. Cosby Season 1 Episode 6 - One Foot in Your Mouth
    7.9/10(23 votes)

    #7 - One Foot in Your Mouth

    S1:E6

    Deceit weaves a tangled web around Hilton, who tells ""one little lie"" and then, to keep up the ruse, finds that he must pretend he's someone else -- and not married to Ruth. In order to avoid attending a wedding, Hilton fibs about needing brain surgery -- and pays a high price. Hilton is always frustrated by everyday deceits, including truth in advertising. Nevertheless, he makes up the lie to avoid attending the Sunday wedding of the son of Ruth's friends, Elaine and Dave, which interferes with his watching sports on television. Pretty soon, he's ensnared in a tangled web of his own making..

    Director:John Whitesell
    Writer:Bernie Orenstein

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  8. Cosby Season 3 Episode 16 - A Very Nice Dance
    7.9/10(18 votes)

    #8 - A Very Nice Dance

    S3:E16

    Hilton and Ruth recall their first date many years ago. Their flashbacks are done through animated sequences, and of course, both of them have widely different versions of what happened.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. Cosby Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    7.8/10(33 votes)

    #9 - Pilot

    S1:E1

    Downsizing at the airport forces Hilton to retire.

    Director:John Whitesell
    Writer:Dennis Klein

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  10. Cosby Season 1 Episode 7 - Natural Born Debtors
    7.8/10(21 votes)

    #10 - Natural Born Debtors

    S1:E7

    Griffin is helping Hilton fix the bathroom door when Wendy arrives very upset and looking for Pauline, her godmother. Before she leaves Hilton has given her $45 to help pay her overdue phone bill. Later Pauline learns that Wendy is in debt for over $15,000, and she's determined to teach Wendy some fiscal responsibility, and she tells Hilton it will be a long time before he sees any of his money. Hilton goes to the bank and learns that not only has his bank has merged with another bank, but also that the computers are down and he can't withdraw any money. After a long, frustrating wait, Hilton uses the ATM machine outside the bank, and, instead of the $50 he requested, the machine gives him $11,000. Hilton is tempted to take the money and run. When Ruthie comes home, Hilton expects a compliment for fixing the door, but instead she discovers a huge scratch that Griffin has made in the wall. When Ruthie learns about Wendy and all her debts, she says she'll forgive the scratch in the wall

    Director:John Whitesell
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. Cosby Season 1 Episode 25 - Social Insecurity
    7.8/10(17 votes)

    #11 - Social Insecurity

    S1:E25

    Hilton tries to convince the Social Security Administration that he is not dead.

    Director:John Whitesell
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. Cosby Season 2 Episode 11 - Shall We Dance
    7.8/10(20 votes)

    #12 - Shall We Dance

    S2:E11

    Ruth surprises Hilton when she enrolls him in tap dancing classes as a birthday gift. He skips the classes, but tells Ruth that he is making remarkable progress. When Ruth announces that she is going to attend the dance recital, Hilton must take a crash course in fancy footwork, or risk having his deception exposed. The coffee shop hosts it's first poetry night.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. Cosby Season 4 Episode 12 - The Hilton Hilton
    7.8/10(14 votes)

    #13 - The Hilton Hilton

    S4:E12

    Darien's late arrival to an important family dinner causes a fight between Hilton and Ruth.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. Cosby Season 1 Episode 17 - Valentine's Day
    7.7/10(21 votes)

    #14 - Valentine's Day

    S1:E17

    It's Valentine's Day, and when Hilton realizes that he has bought Ruth a scarf that she already has, it's back to the drawing board. When she mentions that she'd love to see singer Jeffrey Osborne, who's appearing at the Steinway Club that night, a desperate Hilton says that he has tickets and was going to surprise her. Since Valentine's Day is a very busy day at the flower shop, Hilton tries to help Ruth and Pauline, but he buys the wrong flowers at the flower mart and causes the delivery truck to be towed. Ruth refuses to get angry with him because she thinks he's taking her to see Jeffrey Osborne. Hilton is at a complete loss, when Griffin realizes that Charlie, a buddy of his, is a waiter at the club, and maybe he can get them in. Hilton and Griffin arrive at the club just as Charlie is being fired; Hilton pleads with Jack, the abrasive club owner, but Jack not only laughs in his face, he bans him from the club. At that point, Hilton's temper flares; he tells Jack off and storms ou

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. Cosby Season 2 Episode 9 - The Pilot (Not the Pilot)
    7.7/10(20 votes)

    #15 - The Pilot (Not the Pilot)

    S2:E9

    Fasten your seat belts. When Griffin tries to back out of a lucrative out-of-state concert gig because of a flying phobia, Hilton vows that he will get Griffin on the plane - no matter what it takes. When the commercial airline is grounded, Hilton calls on an old airline buddy with a private plane, and they're joined by Jack, who volunteers to underwrite the flight. But thanks to Jack, the pilot passes out, and it's up to Hilton to bring the plane down -- safely.

    Director:John Whitesell
    Writer:Bernie Orenstein

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  16. Cosby Season 4 Episode 4 - Lucas Apocalypse
    7.7/10(18 votes)

    #16 - Lucas Apocalypse

    S4:E4

    When Griffin tries to prepare for Y2K by installing a generator, he causes a premature blackout for the entire neighborhood.

    Director:Don Scardino
    Writer:John Rogers

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  17. Cosby Season 4 Episode 18 - A Pair of Threes Beats a Flush Every Time
    7.7/10(16 votes)

    #17 - A Pair of Threes Beats a Flush Every Time

    S4:E18

    Hilton discovers that a former high school buddy is now homeless.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. Cosby Season 1 Episode 21 - I'm OK, You're Hilton
    7.6/10(20 votes)

    #18 - I'm OK, You're Hilton

    S1:E21

    Pressed by Ruth to address his ""unusual behavior,"" Hilton enters group therapy. Bad idea. Now he misbehaves by counseling an old crony, who promptly loses his job.

    Director:John Whitesell
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. Cosby Season 2 Episode 1 - About My Life
    7.6/10(17 votes)

    #19 - About My Life

    S2:E1

    The walls come tumbling down this year for Hilton Lucas more ways than one. First, there's the so-called ""fourth wall,"" the theatrical term for the imaginary line that separates actors from the audience. Starting with tonight's second-season opener, Cosby crosses that line as Hilton addresses viewers, takes them into his confidence and even mugs at the camera over plot developments. And he's got a lot to react to, beginning with two new tenants. Daughter Erica moves back home; and neighbor Griffin loses his shirt in a record deal and takes up residence in the Lucas attic, which he begins to renovate. There goes another wall. After Hilton encourages Erica and Griffin to ""take risks and pursue their dreams,"" they do just that and the results become Hilton's nightmare. Erica quits her high-paying job at the law firm and moves home to save money and study to become a chef, and Griffin has to move into the Lucas attic after a business deal goes bad -- forcing him to rent out the lovely hous

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. Cosby Season 2 Episode 8 - Dating Games
    7.6/10(25 votes)

    #20 - Dating Games

    S2:E8

    When Ruth's snobbish sister-in law Debra throws an engagement party for her daughter, Hilton and Ruth try to steal some of Debra's thunder. They arrange for Erica to bring a handsome date to the party, but they get some unexpected results. When the night of the big engagement party finally arrives, Erica discovers that the date she chose for Erica, Philip, has turned from the choir boy she knew into a funky rapper. Hilton is surprised to find that Arthur, his candidate, is now a bicycle repairman. But Debra is the most shocked of all when her picture perfect evening has a not-so-perfect ending. Meanwhile, Griffin makes some serious moves on his date, Tammy, a young woman trying to get over a broken heart.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. Cosby Season 2 Episode 19 - Enter Lucas
    7.6/10(18 votes)

    #21 - Enter Lucas

    S2:E19

    Pauline tries her hand at playwriting for a course she's taking at the community center. Following Hilton's advice about writing about something ""real,"" she turns out a thinly-disguised comedy about the Lucas family. Hilton is the only one who can't see who the lead character is based on - until he volunteers to play the part on stage. Broadway veteran Philip Bosco is Pauline's flamboyant playwriting teacher, who casts Hilton in her comedy as a sarcastic, irascible coot. Talk about typecasting....

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. Cosby Season 4 Episode 11 - Loving Madeline
    7.6/10(14 votes)

    #22 - Loving Madeline

    S4:E11

    The cast presents a heartfelt tribute to Madeline Kahn, with clips highlighting her character Pauline.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. Cosby Season 4 Episode 13 - Chilly Scenes of Winter Golf
    7.6/10(14 votes)

    #23 - Chilly Scenes of Winter Golf

    S4:E13

    When Ruth teaches Erica how to play golf, a rivalry begins between the two women that even extends to cooking.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. Cosby Season 4 Episode 17 - Perfect Valentine
    7.6/10(14 votes)

    #24 - Perfect Valentine

    S4:E17

    Griffin's inablity to deal with the return of his estranged father, who abandoned him 15 years earlier, causes problems in his relationship with Rebecca.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  25. Cosby Season 4 Episode 21 - A Long Night's Journey
    7.6/10(17 votes)

    #25 - A Long Night's Journey

    S4:E21

    Hilton suffers from insomnia for several days, falling asleep during the day at inopertune moments, causing Erica and Ruth embarassment. When Hilton refuses to attend a sleep clinic, Griffin offers to set up a video camera in the Lucas' bedroom to record the night's activity to find the cause of Hilton's sleeplessness. The next morning, when the family gathers to watch the tape, no one is more surprised than Ruth to see that it's her snoring and kicking Hilton in her sleep that keeps him awake.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Best Episodes Summary

"One for the Books" is the best rated episode of "Cosby". It scored 9.1/10 based on 30 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 12/22/1999. This episode scored 0.7 points higher than the second highest rated, "There's Something About Hilton".