"The Cosby Show" (1984) TV series 1984-1992

Creators:

Bill Cosby
Michael Leeson
Ed. Weinberger
(more)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

Release Date:

20 September 1984 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Family

Tagline:

In a house filled with love . . . there's always room for more.

Plot:

The goings-on in the life of a successful African American family.

Plot Keywords:

African American | Doctor | Lawyer | Sitcom | Father Son Relationship

Awards:

Won 3 Golden Globes. Another 48 wins & 47 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Tue. Dec. 29	2:30 AM	TVLAND	Cliff's Wet Adventure	#6.9
Tue. Dec. 29	3:00 AM	TVLAND	Grampy and Nu-Nu Visit the Huxtables	#6.10

Cast

Bill Cosby	...	Dr. Heathcliff 'Cliff' Huxtable / ... (200 episodes, 1984-1992)
Phylicia Rashad	...	Clair Hanks Huxtable / ... (197 episodes, 1984-1992)
Malcolm-Jamal Warner	...	Theodore 'Theo' Huxtable / ... (179 episodes, 1984-1992)
Keshia Knight Pulliam	...	Rudy Huxtable (179 episodes, 1984-1992)
Tempestt Bledsoe	...	Vanessa Huxtable (158 episodes, 1984-1992)
Lisa Bonet	...	Denise Huxtable Kendall / ... (125 episodes, 1984-1991)

Series Directed by
Jay Sandrich		(102 episodes, 1984-1992)
Tony Singletary		(43 episodes, 1986-1990)
Carl Lauten		(16 episodes, 1987-1992)
John Bowab		(16 episodes, 1990-1992)
Chuck Vinson		(9 episodes, 1988-1992)
Reggie Life		(7 episodes, 1987-1988)
Neema Barnette		(6 episodes, 1989-1991)
Malcolm-Jamal Warner		(5 episodes, 1990-1992)
Ellen Falcon		(3 episodes, 1990)
Oz Scott		(2 episodes, 1990-1991)

Series Writing credits
Bill Cosby		(200 episodes, 1984-1992)
John Markus		(70 episodes, 1984-1990)
Carmen Finestra		(58 episodes, 1985-1990)
Gary Kott		(55 episodes, 1985-1990)
Michael Leeson		(44 episodes, 1984-1992)
Ed. Weinberger		(44 episodes, 1984-1992)
Janet Leahy		(18 episodes, 1987-1992)
Matt Williams		(17 episodes, 1984-1988)
Matt Robinson		(10 episodes, 1985-1991)
Mark St. Germain		(9 episodes, 1988-1991)
Gordon Gartrelle		(9 episodes, 1990-1992)
Bernie Kukoff		(9 episodes, 1990-1991)
Ehrich Van Lowe		(9 episodes, 1990-1991)
Elliot Shoenman		(8 episodes, 1984-1986)
Lore Kimbrough		(8 episodes, 1990-1991)
Steve Kline		(6 episodes, 1990-1991)
Courtney Flavin		(5 episodes, 1991-1992)
Hugh O'Neill		(5 episodes, 1991-1992)
Adriana Trigiani		(5 episodes, 1991-1992)
Bryan Winter		(4 episodes, 1990-1991)
Earl Pomerantz		(3 episodes, 1984)
Chris Auer		(3 episodes, 1986-1988)
Walter Allen Bennett Jr.		(3 episodes, 1991)
Jerry Ross		(2 episodes, 1984)
Elaine Arata		(2 episodes, 1991)

Series Produced by
Marcy Carsey	....	executive producer (42 episodes, 1985-1992)
Tom Werner	....	executive producer (42 episodes, 1985-1992)
Terri Guarnieri	....	producer / associate producer (20 episodes, 1986-1991)
Mark Clark	....	associate producer (16 episodes, 1990-1991)
Joe Catania	....	associate producer (15 episodes, 1991-1992)
Janet Leahy	....	executive producer (15 episodes, 1991-1992)
Carmen Finestra	....	supervising producer / producer (12 episodes, 1986-1990)
Matt Robinson	....	co-producer (12 episodes, 1987-1991)
Cissy Bedeian	....	associate producer (11 episodes, 1989-1991)
John Markus	....	co-executive producer (10 episodes, 1986-1990)
Gary Kott	....	supervising producer / co-supervising producer / ... (9 episodes, 1988-1990)
Ehrich Van Lowe	....	co-producer (9 episodes, 1990-1992)
Bernie Kukoff	....	executive producer (8 episodes, 1990-1992)
Steve Kline	....	producer (6 episodes, 1990-1991)
Nick O'Gorman	....	associate producer (5 episodes, 1985-1986)
Matt Williams	....	co-producer / producer (3 episodes, 1986)
Elaine Arata	....	co-producer (3 episodes, 1990-1991)
Gordon Gartrelle	....	producer (3 episodes, 1991)
Adriana Trigiani	....	producer (3 episodes, 1991)
Caryn Mandabach	....	producer (2 episodes, 1986)
Nancy Haas	....	associate producer (2 episodes, 1987-1988)
Earl Pomerantz	....	co-executive producer (unknown episodes, 1984)
Michael Loman	....	co-producer (unknown episodes)

Series Film Editing by
John Michel		(168 episodes, 1985-1992)
Henry Chan		(unknown episodes)
Rich Jack		(unknown episodes)

Series Casting by
Julie Hughes		(40 episodes, 1985-1992)
Barry Moss		(39 episodes, 1985-1992)
Tim Flack		(27 episodes, 1985-1991)
Lois Planco		(27 episodes, 1985-1991)

Series Production Design by
Garvin Eddy		(191 episodes, 1984-1992)

Series Art Direction by
Rosaria Sinisi		(25 episodes, 1989-1992)
Jerry Dunn		(8 episodes, 1991-1992)
John Iacovelli		(unknown episodes)

Series Set Decoration by
Steve Malecki		(35 episodes, 1989-1992)

Series Costume Design by
Sarah Lemire		(44 episodes, 1985-1992)

Series Makeup Department
C. Romania Ford	....	makeup artist (45 episodes, 1985-1992)
Diane Ford	....	makeup artist (39 episodes, 1985-1992)
James Finney	....	hair stylist (37 episodes, 1987-1992)
Nathan J. Busch II	....	hair stylist (37 episodes, 1988-1992)
John Quaglia	....	hair stylist (4 episodes, 1986-1987)
Alan D'Angerio	....	hair stylist (3 episodes, 1985-1986)
Andy Phillips	....	hair stylist (2 episodes, 1986)
Kris Evans	....	makeup artist (2 episodes, 1990-1991)
Annie M. DeMille	....	hair stylist (unknown episodes)

Series Production Management
John Michel	....	post-production supervisor (172 episodes, 1985-1992)
Christopher Kochoff	....	executive in charge of production (18 episodes, 1989-1992)
Rita Burton	....	executive in charge of production (15 episodes, 1991-1992)
Richie Jack	....	post-production supervisor (8 episodes, 1990-1992)
Marilynn Loncar	....	executive in charge of production / executive in charge of production: Nickelodeon (5 episodes, 1985-1987)
Leslie Haber	....	unit manager (4 episodes, 1986)
Henry Chan	....	post-production supervisor (3 episodes, 1985-1986)
Geoff Browne	....	post-production supervisor (unknown episodes)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Carl Lauten	....	associate director (1 episode, 1992)

Series Art Department
Rosaria Sinisi	....	assistant production designer / associate production designer (8 episodes, 1985-1988)

Series Sound Department
Rich Jacob	....	audio (42 episodes, 1985-1992)
Ed Kizer	....	audio assist / sound / ... (3 episodes, 1990)
Eddie Ruotolo	....	assistant sound / audio / ... (3 episodes, 1990)
Leo Just	....	audio assist / sound (2 episodes, 1990)
Paul Drenning	....	sound recordist (unknown episodes)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Tony Santoro	....	gaffer (100 episodes, 1987-1992)
Steven Brill	....	lighting director (41 episodes, 1985-1992)
Billy Steinberg	....	video engineer (27 episodes, 1987-1992)
Paul Ranieri	....	video operator / video engineer (4 episodes, 1990-1991)
Helene Haviland	....	camera operator (3 episodes, 1990)
Donna Quante	....	camera operator (3 episodes, 1990)
Matty Randazzo	....	video engineer / video operator (2 episodes, 1990-1991)
Alain Onesto	....	camera operator (2 episodes, 1990)
David Smith	....	camera operator (2 episodes, 1990)
Randy Nordstrom	....	lighting consultant (unknown episodes)

Series Casting Department
Jeff Oshen	....	casting associate (43 episodes, 1985-1992)
Jessica Gilburne	....	casting associate / casting assistant (34 episodes, 1989-1992)
Tim Flack	....	original casting (16 episodes, 1991-1992)
Lois Planco	....	original casting (16 episodes, 1991-1992)

Series Costume and Wardrobe Department
Paul Buboltz	....	wardrobe / wardrobe supervisor (43 episodes, 1985-1992)
Danajean Cicerchi	....	wardrobe (28 episodes, 1990-1992)
Mary Hobin	....	assistant costume designer (22 episodes, 1987-1992)
Liz Wisler	....	assistant costume designer (11 episodes, 1991-1992)
Ellen Anton	....	wardrobe (6 episodes, 1985-1986)
Pamela Colangelo	....	assistant costume designer (5 episodes, 1985-1986)
Debra Katz Weber	....	wardrobe (4 episodes, 1989-1990)
Steven Stines	....	assistant costume designer (4 episodes, 1991)
Stephanie Edwards-Carroll	....	wardrobe / wardrobe supervisor (3 episodes, 1987-1990)
Valerie Laven-Cooper	....	assistant costume designer (unknown episodes)

Series Music Department
Bill Cosby	....	composer: theme music (200 episodes, 1984-1992)
Stu Gardner	....	musical director / composer: theme music / ... (44 episodes, 1985-1992)
Arthur Lisi	....	musical director (44 episodes, 1985-1992)
Lester Bowie	....	musician: trumpet / musician: trumpeter (17 episodes, 1990-1992)
Chris Tergesen	....	music engineer (unknown episodes)

Series Other crew
Bill Cosby	....	executive consultant (200 episodes, 1984-1992)
Caryn Mandabach	....	supervising executive (200 episodes, 1984-1992)
Karen Clark	....	assistant to producers (72 episodes, 1989-1992)
Alvin F. Poussaint M.D.	....	production consultant (41 episodes, 1985-1992)
Carl Lauten	....	associate director (38 episodes, 1985-1992)
Anne-Louise Wallace	....	stage manager (37 episodes, 1986-1992)
Trudy Elins	....	production coordinator (35 episodes, 1988-1992)
Maynard C. Virgil I	....	stage manager (33 episodes, 1989-1992)
Laurie Gilbert	....	production associate / associate director (30 episodes, 1985-1992)
Matt Robinson	....	script consultant / executive story consultant / ... (30 episodes, 1985-1992)
Steve Greer	....	studio coordinator (30 episodes, 1989-1992)
Geoffrey Holder	....	choreographer (26 episodes, 1988-1989)
Courtney Flavin	....	story editor / executive story editor / ... (20 episodes, 1985-1992)
Judi Lynne Gray	....	script coordinator / production associate (20 episodes, 1989-1992)
Emmett Loughran	....	technical director (18 episodes, 1990-1992)
Craig Handy	....	saxophone player (15 episodes, 1989-1991)
Ed Bianchi	....	title sequence (15 episodes, 1991-1992)
Gail Katz	....	script coordinator (15 episodes, 1991-1992)
Hugh O'Neill	....	story editor (15 episodes, 1991-1992)
Laura Black	....	assistant to producers (14 episodes, 1985-1992)
Richie Wirth	....	technical director (14 episodes, 1989-1992)
Maureen Smith	....	production associate (12 episodes, 1991-1992)
Winifred Hervey	....	executive story consultant (11 episodes, 1985)
Janet Leahy	....	creative consultant / executive story editor (11 episodes, 1987-1992)
Joel Fulton	....	assistant to producers / stage manager (10 episodes, 1990-1992)
Rosaria Sinisi	....	visual consultant (10 episodes, 1991-1992)
Brian Colasuonno	....	assistant to producers (9 episodes, 1988-1990)
Suzi Pere	....	assistant to producers (9 episodes, 1989-1992)
Scott Ambrosino	....	assistant to producers (9 episodes, 1990-1992)
Lore Kimbrough	....	story editor (9 episodes, 1990-1992)
Claudette Roper	....	assistant to producers (9 episodes, 1990-1992)
Chuck Vinson	....	stage manager (8 episodes, 1985-1990)
Carol McKechnie	....	assistant to producers / production assistant (8 episodes, 1985-1988)
Ehrich Van Lowe	....	story editor (8 episodes, 1989-1991)
Delliah Bond	....	assistant to producers (8 episodes, 1990-1992)
Carla Myres	....	production coordinator (7 episodes, 1985-1987)
Joe Catania	....	assistant to producers (7 episodes, 1989-1991)
Mark St. Germain	....	creative consultant (7 episodes, 1990-1991)
Gary Kott	....	story editor / executive story consultant (6 episodes, 1985-1986)
Brenda Browne	....	assistant to producers / script coordinator (6 episodes, 1989-1992)
Steven Hollander	....	assistant to producers (6 episodes, 1990-1992)
Electa Brown	....	stage manager (5 episodes, 1985-1986)
Jim Marshall	....	technical director (5 episodes, 1985-1986)
Andy Nugent	....	assistant to producers (5 episodes, 1985-1986)
Katherine Rezucha	....	assistant to producers (5 episodes, 1985-1986)
Martha Ripp	....	assistant to producers (5 episodes, 1985-1986)
Brenda Thomas	....	assistant to producers (5 episodes, 1985-1986)
Linda Hahon	....	assistant to producers (5 episodes, 1986-1988)
Stacey Jenkins	....	assistant to producers (5 episodes, 1989-1992)
Nina Howie	....	assistant to producers (5 episodes, 1989-1991)
Jill Malkin	....	assistant to producers (5 episodes, 1989-1990)
Lisa Hairston	....	assistant to producers (5 episodes, 1990-1992)
Elaine Martinelli	....	assistant to producers (5 episodes, 1991-1992)
Brian Webb	....	assistant to producers (5 episodes, 1991-1992)
Cynthia Harvin Kraus	....	assistant to producers (4 episodes, 1985-1986)
Richard Quan	....	assistant to producers (4 episodes, 1985-1986)
Collette Coleman	....	assistant to producers (4 episodes, 1986-1988)
Bryan Winter	....	story editor (4 episodes, 1990)
Bayla Travis	....	assistant to producers (4 episodes, 1991-1992)
Matt Williams	....	executive story consultant / creative consultant (3 episodes, 1985-1987)
Michael G. Burns	....	assistant to producers (3 episodes, 1986-1988)
Lauren Eve Anderson	....	assistant to producers (3 episodes, 1986)
Elicia Rinaldi	....	assistant to producers (3 episodes, 1989-1990)
Ivy Mitchell	....	assistant to producers (3 episodes, 1990-1992)
Nina Combs	....	assistant to producers (3 episodes, 1990-1991)
Lu Abbott	....	assistant to producers (3 episodes, 1990)
Leslie Strain	....	assistant to producers (3 episodes, 1990)
Kathryn Tyus-Adair	....	assistant to producers (3 episodes, 1990)
Robert Gori	....	assistant to producers (3 episodes, 1992)
Lisa Benjamin	....	assistant to producers (2 episodes, 1990-1992)
Dan Corsun	....	assistant to producers (2 episodes, 1990-1991)
Hiram Gonzalez	....	assistant to producers (2 episodes, 1991-1992)
John Michel	....	associate director (2 episodes, 1991-1992)
Vanessa Middleton	....	assistant to producers (2 episodes, 1991-1992)
Nora Mulhern	....	assistant to producers (2 episodes, 1991-1992)
Consuelo Patterson	....	assistant to producers (2 episodes, 1991-1992)
Brad Richman	....	assistant to producers (2 episodes, 1991-1992)
Gordon Price	....	assistant to producers (2 episodes, 1992)
Lisa Price	....	assistant to producers (2 episodes, 1992)
Steven Blutstein	....	production assistant (unknown episodes, 1987-1988)
Kevin A. Healy	....	production assistant (unknown episodes)
Richie Solomon	....	production assistant (unknown episodes)
Sally Jo Sousa	....	animal trainer: dogs (unknown episodes)

Series Thanks
Scott Ambrosino	....	special thanks (1 episode, 1992)
Henry Beckman	....	special thanks (1 episode, 1992)
Michael Begler	....	special thanks (1 episode, 1992)
Lisa Benjamin	....	special thanks (1 episode, 1992)
Walter Allen Bennett Jr.	....	special thanks (1 episode, 1992)
Chris Bisagni	....	special thanks (1 episode, 1992)
Danelle Black	....	special thanks (1 episode, 1992)
Laura Black	....	special thanks (1 episode, 1992)
Delliah Bond	....	special thanks (1 episode, 1992)
Adrian Clarke	....	special thanks (1 episode, 1992)
Karen Clark	....	special thanks (1 episode, 1992)
Nina Combs	....	special thanks (1 episode, 1992)
Angel De Angelis	....	special thanks (1 episode, 1992)
Bruce Dunkins	....	special thanks (1 episode, 1992)
Gail A. Fitzgibbons	....	special thanks (1 episode, 1992)
Antonia French	....	special thanks (1 episode, 1992)
Joel Fulton	....	special thanks (1 episode, 1992)
Hiram Gonzalez	....	special thanks (1 episode, 1992)
Robert Gori	....	special thanks (1 episode, 1992)
Helene Haviland	....	special thanks (1 episode, 1992)
Jameen Haynes	....	special thanks (1 episode, 1992)
Rhonda L. Haynes	....	special thanks (1 episode, 1992)
Steven Hollander	....	special thanks (1 episode, 1992)
Leo Just	....	special thanks (1 episode, 1992)
Debra Katz Weber	....	special thanks (1 episode, 1992)
Ed Kizer	....	special thanks (1 episode, 1992)
Julie Manoogian	....	special thanks (1 episode, 1992)
Vanessa Middleton	....	special thanks (1 episode, 1992)
Ivy Mitchell	....	special thanks (1 episode, 1992)
Gorlando Antonio Morales	....	special thanks (1 episode, 1992)
Nora Mulhern	....	special thanks (1 episode, 1992)
Kathy Oldham	....	special thanks (1 episode, 1992)
Alain Onesto	....	special thanks (1 episode, 1992)
Allen Patapoff	....	special thanks (1 episode, 1992)
Consuelo Patterson	....	special thanks (1 episode, 1992)
Suzi Pere	....	special thanks (1 episode, 1992)
Craig Porter	....	special thanks (1 episode, 1992)
Lisa Price	....	special thanks (1 episode, 1992)
John Quaglia	....	special thanks (1 episode, 1992)
Donna Quante	....	special thanks (1 episode, 1992)
Paul Ranieri	....	special thanks (1 episode, 1992)
Brad Richman	....	special thanks (1 episode, 1992)
Jack Roche	....	special thanks (1 episode, 1992)
Claudette Roper	....	special thanks (1 episode, 1992)
Karen Sunderlin	....	special thanks (1 episode, 1992)
Henry Sutton	....	special thanks (1 episode, 1992)
Bayla Travis	....	special thanks (1 episode, 1992)
Eliot Wilson	....	special thanks (1 episode, 1992)
Steve Yaconetti	....	special thanks (1 episode, 1992)
Dave Zarkower	....	special thanks (1 episode, 1992)

Production Companies

• Bill Cosby
• Carsey-Werner Company
• National Broadcasting Company (NBC)

Distributors

• National Broadcasting Company (NBC) (1984-1992) (USA) (TV)
• Bridge Entertainment Group (2006) (Netherlands) (DVD) (seasons 1 and 2)
• Bridge Entertainment Group (2007) (Netherlands) (DVD) (seasons 3 and 4)
• Carsey-Werner Distribution
• Columbia House (1992) (USA) (VHS)
• First Look International (2007) (USA) (DVD)
• Viacom

Other Companies

• Editel  post-production facilities
• Homer & Associates  main title design
• Kaufman Astoria Studios  taping location
• NBC Studios, Brooklyn, New York  taping location

Runtime:

30 min (201 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Canada:G (Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario/Quebec) (DVD rating) | USA:TV-G | Australia:PG (some episodes) | Argentina:Atp | Singapore:PG | Australia:G

Filming Locations:

Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Company:

Bill Cosby

Trivia:

In the Italian version, the family name has been changed from Huxtable to the more pronounceable Robinson. "I Robinson" ("The Robinsons") is the name of the show.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the opening episode, the Huxtables have only four children (Denise, Theo, Vanessa, and Rudy). A few weeks later, a fifth child, Sondra, appears.

Quotes:

Vanessa Huxtable: Rudy, what are you gonna do in life with a fourth grade education ?
Rudy: Teach third grade !

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Growing Pains: Jason's Rib (#2.8)" (1986)

Soundtrack:

Monk's Hat

Do You Remember the Real Good Old Days?

Bill Cosby had been on television throughout the 1960s and 1970s. His success had been adequate, but far from impressive. By 1984, NBC wanted to have a show that would be endeared not only by minority groups, but also by white America. Enter "The Cosby Show", the very definition of a Nielsen Ratings Monster as it devoured competition, along with cohort "Cheers", for the better part of the 1980s and early-1990s. The series is basically the life of Cosby with a few creative twists. Cosby, an obstetrician, lives in New York with his wife Phylicia Rashad (an attorney) and their four children (Lisa Bonet, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Tempestt Bledsoe and Keshia Knight-Pulliam). Comedy and drama would always dominate the series, but an early criticism of "The Cosby Show" was that it had no real point to it. Enter eldest child Sabrina Le Beauf who was created the middle of season one. This child was away at college and receiving a first-class education at an Ivy League School. And that is the point of "The Cosby Show"---two parents doing their best to give their five children the life and opportunities that they have taken advantage of. The Le Beauf character was a culmination of everything that Cosby and Rashad did with the four younger children. As the series grew, the cast grew to include performers like Geoffrey Owens, Joseph C. Phillips, Deon Richmond and scene-stealer Raven-Symone. The greatest problem that most had with the show was that critics said it did not show accurate African-American life in this country. To be perfectly honest, this show does not show typical life for the vast majority of this nation's population. There are not many white children in this nation that have a doctor and a lawyer as parents so that criticism lacks substance and social research. Cosby always kept the show somewhat light-hearted and sometimes shied away from some key issues of the time period, but keep in mind that his name was on the program and everything was written as if the characters were sometimes walking on eggshells. Bonet created the controversy for the series during its run, especially in 1987 with her very adult-oriented role in "Angel Heart". That did not deter, but rather engross an even larger audiences tuned in by the late-1980s. Slowly the younger performers grew up and grew out of their roles and the series finally began to show its age by the 1990s. But for a few fleeting moments in the 1980s, was there anyone bigger than Bill Cosby? I think not. 5 stars out of 5.