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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!

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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

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    The Cosby Show Season 1 Episode 5 - A Shirt Story
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #1 - 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

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  2. The Cosby Show Season 1 Episode 21 - The Younger Woman
    10.0/10(2 votes)

    #2 - The Younger Woman

    S1:E21

    Cliff and Clair receive a visit from an old friend—and he has a new girlfriend that is half his age. They are initially suspicious, but learn that judging by appearances isn't always right.

    Director:Jay Sandrich
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. The Cosby Show Season 1 Episode 22 - Slumber Party
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #3 - 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

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  4. The Cosby Show Season 2 Episode 11 - Denise's Friend
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #4 - 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

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  5. The Cosby Show Season 2 Episode 12 - Mrs. Westlake
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #5 - Mrs. Westlake

    S2:E12

    Theo'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.

    Director:Jay Sandrich
    Writer:Elliot Shoenman

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  6. The Cosby Show Season 1 Episode 2 - Mr. Fish (a.k.a. Goodbye, Mr. Fish)
    9.5/10(2 votes)

    #6 - 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

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of The Cosby Show

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  7. The Cosby Show Season 1 Episode 3 - Bad Dreams
    9.0/10(2 votes)

    #7 - Bad Dreams

    S1:E3

    Vanessa claims that she is old enough to watch a scary movie, but Cliff still forbids it. Vanessa sneaks out anyway, but ends up having nightmares as a result.

    Director:Jay Sandrich
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. The Cosby Show Season 1 Episode 9 - How Ugly Is He?
    9.0/10(2 votes)

    #8 - 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

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  9. The Cosby Show Season 2 Episode 3 - Happy Anniversary
    8.3/10(3 votes)

    #9 - 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

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  10. The Cosby Show Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot / Theo's Economic Lesson
    8.0/10(2 votes)

    #10 - 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

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  11. The Cosby Show Season 1 Episode 6 - Breaking With Tradition
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #11 - Breaking With Tradition

    S1:E6

    Cliff's father, Russell, pays a visit and begins questioning Cliff about the kids' college choices. He asks Denise about Hillman, his and Cliff's alma mater. Denise is dead-set against it at first, until Russell tells her that the males outnumber the females there. First appearance of Earle Hyman as Russell Huxtable, Cliff's father.

    Director:Jay Sandrich
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. The Cosby Show Season 1 Episode 7 - One More Time
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #12 - One More Time

    S1:E7

    While Clair cares for a friend's baby, she begins to consider having another. Cliff desperately tries to talk her out of it, claiming that babies are "false advertising." Clair's mother, Carrie, then reminds her that the older you are when you have kids, the older you'll be if they end up having to come back and live at home. First appearance of Ethel Ayler as Carrie Hanks, Clair's mother.

    Director:Jay Sandrich
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. The Cosby Show Season 1 Episode 8 - Play It Again, Vanessa
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #13 - Play It Again, Vanessa

    S1:E8

    Vanessa plays clarinet in the school's orchestra. Though she tries her best and practices daily, she simply cannot play the instrument. She plays an embarrassing solo at the school concert, but her parents support her anyway. Guest Dizzy Gillespie as Mr. Hampton, Vanessa's music teacher.

    Director:Jay Sandrich
    Writer:Jerry Ross

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  14. The Cosby Show Season 1 Episode 11 - You're Not a Mother Night
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #14 - You're Not a Mother Night

    S1:E11

    Clair is exhausted from constantly caring for the children. Cliff decides to take her out on the town for "You're Not a Mother Night." They go to a fancy restaurant and hotel. While there, some of Clair's motherly instincts start kicking in-but they stop in time for a romantic evening.

    Director:Jay Sandrich
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. The Cosby Show Season 1 Episode 13 - Father's Day
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #15 - Father's Day

    S1:E13

    Cliff 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.

    Director:Jay Sandrich
    Writer:Elliot Shoenman

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  16. The Cosby Show Season 1 Episode 20 - Back to the Track, Jack
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #16 - Back to the Track, Jack

    S1:E20

    Cliff's college track coach contacts him and asks to run in a charity event between Hillman and its rival, Norton College. Heathcliff "Combustible Huxtable" trains, but soon learns that he is not the runner he was all those years ago.

    Director:Jay Sandrich
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. The Cosby Show Season 2 Episode 2 - The Juicer
    8.0/10(2 votes)

    #17 - 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

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  18. The Cosby Show Season 2 Episode 4 - Cliff in Love
    8.0/10(3 votes)

    #18 - 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

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  19. The Cosby Show Season 2 Episode 5 - Theo and the Older Woman
    8.0/10(3 votes)

    #19 - 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

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  20. The Cosby Show Season 2 Episode 13 - The Auction
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #20 - The Auction

    S2:E13

    Clair bids on a painting by her great-uncle that her grandmother had once owned. Attempting to win her favor, Elvin tries to bake her a cake but fails miserably; he then gets advice from Cliff on how to pass himself off as a good cook. In real life, the painting used in the episode is Funeral Procession by Ellis Wilson.

    Director:Jay Sandrich
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. The Cosby Show Season 3 Episode 6 - The March
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #21 - The March

    S3:E6

    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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. The Cosby Show Season 1 Episode 23 - Mr. Quiet
    7.0/10(1 votes)

    #22 - Mr. Quiet

    S1:E23

    Cliff, Clair, and the Huxtable clan volunteer at a local community center. There, a battered boy tries to find help, and the owner—Tony Castillo—does his best to lend assistance.

    Director:Jay Sandrich
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. The Cosby Show Season 2 Episode 9 - Clair's Sister
    7.0/10(2 votes)

    #23 - Clair's Sister

    S2:E9

    Clair's sister Sarah gets engaged. First appearance of Joe Williams as Clair's father Al Hanks. Ethel Ayler as Carrie Hanks. Mario Van Peebles as Garvin.

    Director:Jay Sandrich
    Writer:Elliot Shoenman

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  24. The Cosby Show Season 2 Episode 6 - Halloween
    6.0/10(3 votes)

    #24 - Halloween

    S2:E6

    Vanessa has a crush on a one Robert Forman, who comes to her Halloween party. Daydreaming about her love, she drops an entire tray of glasses and embarrasses herself in front of the guests. Pam Potillo as Janet. Dondre Whitfield as Robert. Akili Prince as Scott. (Years later, Prince would originate the role of Terrence Frye on All My Children. Upon leaving that series, he was replaced by Whitfield.)

    Director:Jay Sandrich
    Writer:Elliot Shoenman

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  25. The Cosby Show Season 2 Episode 7 - Rudy Suits Up
    6.0/10(2 votes)

    #25 - Rudy Suits Up

    S2:E7

    Rudy plays football and becomes a star, much to the chagrin of Clair, who worries she'll get hurt. But reluctance turns to excitement when Rudy is the star of her first game. Ethel Ayler as Carrie Hanks. Peter Costa as Peter.

    Director:Jay Sandrich
    Writer:Unknown

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Best Episodes Summary

"A Shirt Story" is the best rated episode of "The Cosby Show". It scored 10/10 based on 1 votes. Directed by Jay Sandrich and written by Unknown, it aired on 10/18/1984. This episode scored 0.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "The Younger Woman".