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The Best Episodes of The Cosby Show Season 2

Every episode of The Cosby Show Season 2 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of The Cosby Show Season 2!

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    The Cosby Show Season 2 Episode 22 - Theo's Holiday
    8.5/10(298 votes)

    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

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  2. The Cosby Show Season 2 Episode 3 - Happy Anniversary
    8.2/10(271 votes)

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

    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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  4. The Cosby Show Season 2 Episode 18 - A Touch of Wonder
    7.9/10(232 votes)

    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

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  5. The Cosby Show Season 2 Episode 23 - The Card Game
    7.9/10(183 votes)

    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

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  6. The Cosby Show Season 2 Episode 4 - Cliff in Love
    7.8/10(208 votes)

    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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  7. The Cosby Show Season 2 Episode 11 - Denise's Friend
    7.8/10(188 votes)

    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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  8. The Cosby Show Season 2 Episode 16 - The Dentist
    7.8/10(217 votes)

    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

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  9. The Cosby Show Season 2 Episode 5 - Theo and the Older Woman
    7.7/10(203 votes)

    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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  10. The Cosby Show Season 2 Episode 12 - Mrs. Westlake
    7.6/10(189 votes)

    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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  11. The Cosby Show Season 2 Episode 13 - The Auction
    7.6/10(185 votes)

    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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  12. The Cosby Show Season 2 Episode 1 - First Day of School
    7.5/10(191 votes)

    S2:E1

    Cliff and Clair are overjoyed with the arrivial of the new school year, as their children are finally out of the house.

    Director:Jay Sandrich
    Writer:Elliot Shoenman

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  13. The Cosby Show Season 2 Episode 8 - Denise Drives
    7.5/10(186 votes)

    S2:E8

    Denise wants to buy a car. She plans to use her savings to do so, but Cliff and Clair quickly point out flaws in her plan. The answer to everyone's problems comes from friend Mr. Lucas, who has an old car he is willing to sell. Denise proves herself a good driver, and the car is hers. David Langston Smyrl as Mr. Lucas.

    Director:Jay Sandrich
    Writer:Carmen Finestra

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  14. The Cosby Show Season 2 Episode 15 - Theo and Cockroach
    7.5/10(170 votes)

    S2:E15

    Theo and his friend Cockroach scheme to pass a test on William Shakespeare's "Macbeth", which neither one has read.

    Director:Jay Sandrich
    Writer:Thad Mumford

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  15. The Cosby Show Season 2 Episode 19 - Full House
    7.5/10(187 votes)

    S2:E19

    After an exhausting midnight shift at the hospital and a night's sleep, all Cliff wants is to read his paper in peace - but the children have taken over every room in the house. Classic scene: Denise's boyfriend sings reggae in front of the living room TV.

    Director:Jay Sandrich
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. The Cosby Show Season 2 Episode 21 - An Early Spring
    7.4/10(167 votes)

    S2:E21

    Theo's math teacher has a baby and Cockroach shows a different side. Carl Anthony Payne II as Cockroach. Sonia Braga as Mrs. Westlake. Cockroach's full real name, Walter Bradley, is revealed in this episode (only his first name was previously mentioned).

    Director:Jay Sandrich
    Writer:Matt Williams

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  17. The Cosby Show Season 2 Episode 14 - Vanessa's Bad Grade
    7.3/10(170 votes)

    S2:E14

    Vanessa steals a sweater from Denise. The two soon begin to fight. In the end, Rudy's choice of television viewing, the "I Have A Dream" speech, reminds the whole family of what a real problem is. Excerpt from Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech featured at the end of the episode (Originally aired four days before the first observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as a U.S. federal holiday).

    Director:Jay Sandrich
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. The Cosby Show Season 2 Episode 6 - Halloween
    7.2/10(199 votes)

    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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  19. The Cosby Show Season 2 Episode 10 - Clair's Toe
    7.2/10(174 votes)

    S2:E10

    While preparing to go out on a proposal anniversary dinner, Clair breaks her toe, but tries not to let it upset her routine. In the end, she develops a unique piece of footwear to hide her cast.

    Director:Jay Sandrich
    Writer:Matt Williams

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  20. The Cosby Show Season 2 Episode 20 - Close to Home
    7.2/10(173 votes)

    S2:E20

    A close friend of Cliff's, played by Samuel E. Wright, is overcome with sadness due to his daughter's recurring drug addiction. His feelings are set off as he observes the close relationship between Cliff, Clair, and Denise, who is his daughter's age.

    Director:Jay Sandrich
    Writer:Carmen Finestra

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  21. The Cosby Show Season 2 Episode 24 - Off to the Races
    7.2/10(161 votes)

    S2:E24

    In a charity run, Cliff races at the Penn Relays with "Tailwind" Turner and -- as apparent payback for the race a year prior -- ends up having to run the final leg against Olympic gold medalist Valerie Brisco-Hooks. Josh Culbreath as Col. Sanford "Tailwind" Turner. Valerie Brisco-Hooks appears as herself. Cameo appearance by Bill Cosby's real wife, Camille Cosby (uncredited).

    Director:Jay Sandrich
    Writer:Matt Williams

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  22. The Cosby Show Season 2 Episode 7 - Rudy Suits Up
    7.0/10(174 votes)

    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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  23. The Cosby Show Season 2 Episode 9 - Clair's Sister
    7.0/10(180 votes)

    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 25 - Denise's Decision
    7.0/10(162 votes)

    S2:E25

    After much deliberation, Denise chooses the college that she will attend in the fall. Earle Hyman as Russell. Clarice Taylor as Anna.

    Director:Jay Sandrich
    Writer:Unknown

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  25. The Cosby Show Season 2 Episode 17 - Play It Again, Russell
    6.7/10(181 votes)

    S2:E17

    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.

    Director:Jay Sandrich
    Writer:Unknown

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Season 2 Ratings Summary

"Theo's Holiday" is the best rated episode of The Cosby Show season 2. It scored 8.5/10 from 298 votes. Directed by Jay Sandrich and written by Matt Williams, Carmen Finestra, it aired on April 3, 1986. This episode is rated 0.3 points higher than the second-best, "Happy Anniversary".