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The Worst Episodes of The Cosby Show

Every episode of The Cosby Show ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst 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 Worst Episode
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    The Cosby Show Season 1 Episode 10 - Bonjour, Sondra
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #1 - Bonjour, Sondra

    S1:E10

    Sondra, the eldest Huxtable child makes her first appearance when she visits home for Thanksgiving. She plans on going to Paris for the summer, and hopes that her parents will support the decision.

    Director:Jay Sandrich
    Writer:Jerry Ross

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  2. The Cosby Show Season 1 Episode 12 - Rudy's Sick
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #2 - Rudy's Sick

    S1:E12

    Clair could be named partner at her law firm if an interview goes well-but Rudy is sick! Cliff vows to take care of her while Clair works, and engages in some unique doctoring methods. Clair is named partner and Rudy is fine by the end.

    Director:Jay Sandrich
    Writer:Matt Williams

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  3. The Cosby Show Season 1 Episode 14 - Independence Day
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #3 - 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

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  4. The Cosby Show Season 1 Episode 15 - Physician of the Year
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #4 - Physician of the Year

    S1:E15

    Cliff is set to receive an important award, but a woman goes into labor right before the ceremony. Theo delivers his speech for him. Aleta Mitchell as Mrs. Randall, Elisa de la Roche as Nurse, Sheldon Leonard as Dr. Wexler

    Director:Jay Sandrich
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. The Cosby Show Season 1 Episode 16 - Jitterbug Break
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #5 - Jitterbug Break

    S1:E16

    Cliff tries to impress Denise's friends by teaching them how to jitterbug. Some of Clair's friends also show off their dance moves. Soon, the whole house is full of dancers. Blair Underwood as Denise's boyfriend (uncredited), Judith Jamison as Marie, Donald McKayle as Ralph, Gerard Cooper as Guy, Christine Langner as Girl

    Director:Jay Sandrich
    Writer:Matt Williams

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  6. The Cosby Show Season 1 Episode 17 - Theo and the Joint
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #6 - 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

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  7. The Cosby Show Season 1 Episode 18 - Vanessa's New Class
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #7 - Vanessa's New Class

    S1:E18

    Vanessa is placed in an advanced science class. She creates a model of the solar system, but learns that she will have to work harder than ever if she hopes to succeed. First appearance of Pam Potillo as Vanessa's friend Janet Meisner.

    Director:Jay Sandrich
    Writers:Matt Williams, Carmen Finestra

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  8. The Cosby Show Season 1 Episode 19 - Clair's Case
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #8 - Clair's Case

    S1:E19

    A sneaky mechanic tries to swindle Sondra. It's Clair to the rescue as the two battle in court. David Langston Smyrl as the man in court, Shawn Elliott as Mr. Wilson, Alan North as Judge

    Director:Jay Sandrich
    Writer:Winifred Hervey

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  9. The Cosby Show Season 1 Episode 24 - Cliff's Birthday
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #9 - 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

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  10. The Cosby Show Season 2 Episode 1 - First Day of School
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #10 - First Day of School

    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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  11. The Cosby Show Season 2 Episode 8 - Denise Drives
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #11 - Denise Drives

    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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  12. The Cosby Show Season 2 Episode 10 - Clair's Toe
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #12 - Clair's Toe

    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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  13. The Cosby Show Season 2 Episode 14 - Vanessa's Bad Grade
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #13 - Vanessa's Bad Grade

    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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  14. The Cosby Show Season 2 Episode 15 - Theo and Cockroach
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #14 - Theo and Cockroach

    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 16 - The Dentist
    0.0/10(0 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

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  16. The Cosby Show Season 2 Episode 17 - Play It Again, Russell
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #16 - Play It Again, Russell

    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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  17. The Cosby Show Season 2 Episode 18 - A Touch of Wonder
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #17 - 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

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  18. The Cosby Show Season 2 Episode 19 - Full House
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #18 - Full House

    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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  19. The Cosby Show Season 2 Episode 20 - Close to Home
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #19 - Close to Home

    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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  20. The Cosby Show Season 2 Episode 21 - An Early Spring
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #20 - An Early Spring

    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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  21. The Cosby Show Season 2 Episode 22 - Theo's Holiday
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #21 - 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

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  22. The Cosby Show Season 2 Episode 23 - The Card Game
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #22 - 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

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  23. The Cosby Show Season 2 Episode 24 - Off to the Races
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #23 - Off to the Races

    S2:E24

    In a charity run, Cliff races at the Penn Relays with "Tailwind" Turner and -- as apparent paybac