The Cosby Show backdrop
Comedy•Family

The Best Episodes of The Cosby Show

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

Binge this in 3d 1h•Peaking at 8.5/10

The Cosby Show is an American television situation comedy starring Bill Cosby, which aired for eight seasons on NBC from September 20, 1984 until April 30, 1992. The show focuses on the Huxtable family, an

Airs on
NBC
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons8

All12345678

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Click to reveal
    The Cosby Show Season 2 Episode 22 - Theo's Holiday
    8.5/10(302 votes)

    #1 - Theo's Holiday

    S2:E22

    After 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.

    Director:Jay Sandrich
    Writers:Matt Williams, Carmen Finestra

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. The Cosby Show Season 1 Episode 5 - A Shirt Story
    8.2/10(329 votes)

    #2 - A Shirt Story

    S1:E5

    Theo wants to impress a girl by wearing an expensive shirt by designer Gordon Gartrelle. Since Cliff and Clair will not pay for it, Denise offers to make a copy of the shirt for him. Guest appearance by Kadeem Hardison, who years later would portray Dwayne Wayne on the Cosby Show spinoff, A Different World.

    Director:Jay Sandrich
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. The Cosby Show Season 2 Episode 3 - Happy Anniversary
    8.2/10(274 votes)

    #3 - Happy Anniversary

    S2:E3

    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.

    Director:Jay Sandrich
    Writer:Elliot Shoenman

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. The Cosby Show Season 6 Episode 23 - Off to See the Wretched
    8.2/10(226 votes)

    #4 - Off to See the Wretched

    S6:E23

    Vanessa 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.

    Director:Malcolm-Jamal Warner
    Writer:Mark St. Germain

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. The Cosby Show Season 3 Episode 21 - I Know That You Know
    8.1/10(184 votes)

    #5 - I Know That You Know

    S3:E21

    When Sondra and Elvin announce their engagement, Clair and the children use the news to play a practical joke on Cliff, who launches a counter-offensive of his own. Geoffrey Owens as Elvin.

    Director:Jay Sandrich
    Writers:Matt Williams, Carmen Finestra

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. The Cosby Show Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot / Theo's Economic Lesson
    8.0/10(397 votes)

    #6 - Pilot / Theo's Economic Lesson

    S1:E1

    Clair 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.

    Director:Jay Sandrich
    Writers:Michael J. Leeson, Ed. Weinberger

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of The Cosby Show

    READ
  7. The Cosby Show Season 1 Episode 22 - Slumber Party
    8.0/10(261 votes)

    #7 - Slumber Party

    S1:E22

    Rudy 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!

    Director:Jay Sandrich
    Writer:Carmen Finestra

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. The Cosby Show Season 6 Episode 9 - Cliff's Wet Adventure
    8.0/10(195 votes)

    #8 - Cliff's Wet Adventure

    S6:E9

    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.

    Director:Jay Sandrich
    Writer:Carmen Finestra

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. The Cosby Show Season 6 Episode 20 - Isn't It Romantic?
    8.0/10(166 votes)

    #9 - Isn't It Romantic?

    S6:E20

    Cliff, Elvin and Martin secretly compete to determine who is the most romantic husband in the Huxtable family.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Carmen Finestra

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. The Cosby Show Season 1 Episode 14 - Independence Day
    7.9/10(225 votes)

    #10 - Independence Day

    S1:E14

    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.

    Director:Jay Sandrich
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. The Cosby Show Season 2 Episode 2 - The Juicer
    7.9/10(208 votes)

    #11 - The Juicer

    S2:E2

    Cliff, 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 allowed to use appliances. David Langston Smyrl as Mr. Lucas. Peter Costa as Peter.

    Director:Jay Sandrich
    Writer:Matt Williams

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. The Cosby Show Season 2 Episode 11 - Denise's Friend
    7.9/10(189 votes)

    #12 - Denise's Friend

    S2:E11

    Denise asks Cliff to talk to her friend, who has a medical problem. Cliff diagnoses the girl as having a mild bladder infection, but learns that she was wary of telling her parents without certainty. Cliff and Clair decide to show the kids that they can tell them anything, but the children quickly point out that their parents will just get angry. Cliff admits that anger is part of problems, but tells the children that no matter what, they will be loved.

    Director:Jay Sandrich
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. The Cosby Show Season 2 Episode 23 - The Card Game
    7.9/10(182 votes)

    #13 - The Card Game

    S2:E23

    Cliff plays pinochle with his father, a former teacher, and a friend. Theo buys a cheap ring for his girlfriend Tanya. Earle Hyman as Russell. Roscoe Lee Browne as Dr. Foster.

    Director:Jay Sandrich
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. The Cosby Show Season 2 Episode 4 - Cliff in Love
    7.8/10(210 votes)

    #14 - Cliff in Love

    S2:E4

    Sondra 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)

    Director:Jay Sandrich
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. The Cosby Show Season 2 Episode 16 - The Dentist
    7.8/10(219 votes)

    #15 - The Dentist

    S2:E16

    Peter goes to the dentist, but has Rudy come along for moral support so Peter won't be afraid of the dentist anymore. Danny Kaye (in one of his last appearances) as Dr. Burns, who is also Cliff's dentist.

    Director:Jay Sandrich
    Writer:Elliot Shoenman

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. The Cosby Show Season 2 Episode 18 - A Touch of Wonder
    7.8/10(233 votes)

    #16 - A Touch of Wonder

    S2:E18

    After 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.

    Director:Jay Sandrich
    Writer:Matt Williams

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. The Cosby Show Season 6 Episode 1 - Denise: The Saga Continues
    7.8/10(169 votes)

    #17 - Denise: The Saga Continues

    S6:E1

    Denise returns from Africa, with a new husband and stepdaughter in tow. Joseph C. Phillips and Raven-Symoné join the cast as Martin and Olivia Kendall. Last appearance of Peter Costa as Peter.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Carmen Finestra

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. The Cosby Show Season 7 Episode 2 - Bird in the Hand
    7.8/10(135 votes)

    #18 - Bird in the Hand

    S7:E2

    Cliff tries to win a classic jazz record at an auction, while filling in for Denise as volunteer parent at Olivia's preschool. Sullivan Walker as Dr. James Harmon.

    Director:Jay Sandrich
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. The Cosby Show Season 1 Episode 2 - Mr. Fish (a.k.a. Goodbye, Mr. Fish)
    7.7/10(295 votes)

    #19 - Mr. Fish (a.k.a. Goodbye, Mr. Fish)

    S1:E2

    When 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.

    Director:Jay Sandrich
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. The Cosby Show Season 1 Episode 9 - How Ugly Is He?
    7.7/10(223 votes)

    #20 - How Ugly Is He?

    S1:E9

    Denise has a new boyfriend, David, but is reluctant to bring him home. She fears that Cliff will, like always, make fun of the boy and ruin her chances with him. Cliff and Clair are initially impressed with David until he expresses some unwanted opinions about medicine and the law at dinner. Kristoff St. John plays boyfriend David.

    Director:Jay Sandrich
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. The Cosby Show Season 1 Episode 17 - Theo and the Joint
    7.7/10(238 votes)

    #21 - Theo and the Joint

    S1:E17

    Clair discovers a marijuana joint in one of Theo's school books. She and Cliff confront him about it, and accept his explanation—another boy slipped it in. Theo confronts the boy and brings him home to confess in order to remove any uncertainty from his parents about his telling the truth. Theo and the boy actually start to become friends. Stephen Thompson as Anthony Braxton, Iman as Mrs. Montgomery. Rudy says her full name in this episode, Rudith Lillian Huxtable.

    Director:Jay Sandrich
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. The Cosby Show Season 2 Episode 5 - Theo and the Older Woman
    7.7/10(204 votes)

    #22 - Theo and the Older Woman

    S2:E5

    When 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.

    Director:Jay Sandrich
    Writer:Carmen Finestra

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. The Cosby Show Season 4 Episode 2 - Theogate
    7.7/10(168 votes)

    #23 - Theogate

    S4:E2

    Theo and Cockroach come home unusually late from a track meet, and the Huxtables got a phone message earlier from the track coach. They both deny anything out of the ordinary happened, but attorney Clair knows better. A mock trial is held for Theo and Cockroach at the Huxtables' for Clair to get to the bottom of the situation.

    Director:Jay Sandrich
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. The Cosby Show Season 6 Episode 3 - I'm 'In' With the 'In' Crowd
    7.7/10(174 votes)

    #24 - I'm 'In' With the 'In' Crowd

    S6:E3

    Vanessa and her friends get drunk playing a drinking game. Pam Potillo as Janet. Elizabeth Narvaez as Kara. Guest appearance by Bill Cosby's real-life daughter Ensa Cosby, upon whom the character Vanessa is loosely based.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Carmen Finestra

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  25. The Cosby Show Season 1 Episode 24 - Cliff's Birthday
    7.6/10(205 votes)

    #25 - Cliff's Birthday

    S1:E24

    Cliff 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.

    Director:Jay Sandrich
    Writer:Elliot Shoenman

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Best Episodes Summary

"Theo's Holiday" is the best rated episode of "The Cosby Show". It scored 8.5/10 based on 302 votes. Directed by Jay Sandrich and written by Matt Williams, Carmen Finestra, it aired on 4/3/1986. This episode scored 0.3 points higher than the second highest rated, "A Shirt Story".