Talk:The Cosby Show

Mistakes

Im thinking about adding an entire section on mistakes that they made in the shows, im just adding this to see if anyone objects.--Primetimeking 01:46, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

Uh, I think there's a conflict of information here: On here, the theme song to the show is called "Kiss Me", but on imdb.com, it says "The Monk's Hat". Which one correct? eagle_eyes 07:32, 19 April 2007 (UTC)

Alicia keys didnt appear in this because it says she was active from 1997 and thatsa when she first sung.--86.160.37.214 (talk) 16:18, 4 May 2010 (UTC)

Actually she did appear in S01E22, which was called "Slumber Party." She appears as Rudy's friend Maria. She is even credited on imdb[1]. Here is screencap of her on the episode:[2]≈Alessandro ♫ ^{T • C} 16:55, 4 May 2010 (UTC)

Background in Education?

its about reality........

What's this about? I know the "Ed.D." is for an honorary degree he received from the University of Cincinnati... Cognos 17:14, 8 February 2006 (UTC)

According to the Bill Cosby page here on Wikipedia, he received a doctorate in education from the University of Massachusettes in 1977. --Jsol5 09:29, 1 May 2006 (UTC)

I've worked on expanding this for a bit; the one thing I think is missing, though, is an overall summary of where the characters went, and overall summaries of each character. Anyone else think that'd be a good idea? Mo0 21:39, 23 Oct 2004 (UTC)

Yes.Yo Mama 5000

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i need info on the Cosby-Simpsons battle - now as i understand it while the Simps didn't beat Cosby overall until 1991-2, by late 1990 they were already beating Cosby in key demographics - thus fatally crippling Cosby - is that true? PMA 14:05, 30 August 2005 (UTC)

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I don't think they were silencing racism. The show had been running for 8 seasons. They were the #1 show on NBC. Would'nt YOU quit when you were ahead?

Emmy Awards

I think I remember that for some of the years that the show was in production, Bill Cosby withdrew the show from the Emmy competition, saying that he didn't want to dominate the awards. Thus only 3 Emmys for Best Show. during the run of the show.

I am pretty sure that this is very uncommon. --McTrixie 05:33, 19 November 2005 (UTC)

Is that true? He kind of made a big deal about how he felt that Phylicia Rashad was repeatedly overlooked by award commitees during that Cosby reunion special a few years back. Pumpkingrrl 08:22, 1 November 2006 (UTC)

Location

The Location of the show wasnt in Brooklyn was it? I thought it was in the village.

>>> Stigwood Avenue - couldn't find it on the online-map of New York. Where's it? Does it really exist?

I could be wrong but I seem to remember the fictional Cosby's residence being located in Philadelphia, not Brookly or NYC. 65.69.81.2 16:49, 6 April 2007 (UTC)

I just saw an episode and Cliff said they live in Brooklyn Heights. Jgcarter 01:21, 26 April 2007 (UTC)

~~ I seen a show on time that said they lived at 10 Strickland in Queens. shazz —Preceding unsigned comment added by 12.214.112.221 (talk) 01:24, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

...permanently bridging race gaps?

It's a nice thought.

only a racist lik yourself woulndt believe it!!!!

OB/GYN?

Are we sure Dr. Huxtable was actually an OB/GYN, and not only a obstetrician? --Funkmaster 801 09:04, 28 July 2006 (UTC)

In the episode where Rudy is worried about starting 6th grade without having developed breasts, she tries to tell her father that it's "woman stuff" and she wants to talk to her mother. Cliff responds, "I'm a gynecologist - you want to talk to a lawyer?" 65.96.189.38 03:43, 17 August 2007 (UTC)

According to Obstetrics and gynaecology, "Obstetrics and Gynaecology (often abbreviated to OB/GYN or O&G) are the two surgical specialties dealing with the female reproductive organs, and as such are often combined to form a single medical speciality and postgraduate training program. This combined training prepares the practicing OB/GYN to be adept at the surgical management of the entire scope of clinical pathology involving female reproductive organs, and to provide care for both pregnant and non-pregnant patients." So it sounds about right to call Dr. Huxtable an OB/GYN. SchuminWeb (Talk) 10:14, 17 August 2007 (UTC)

Criticism section

This article makes the criticism of the show look like it was not serious and not justified. The whole fourth paragraph of the overview section and the criticism section to only show the argument of people who ignored the criticisms of the show and seems pretty racist. "(though such families did and still do exist in real life)" and "Others felt that the show was simply a portrayal of what African-Americans could potentially become." shows this to that. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Morganite86 (talk • contribs) 07:09, 30 July 2006 (UTC).

The whole section needs to be rewritten or removed. As is, it looks like an informal debate within the article space. If rewritten, it would have to properly cite sources as well. "Some say this" and "other say that" are not appropriate for a Wikipedia article. Ace Class Shadow; My talk. 21:59, 8 December 2006 (UTC)

Since there's been no progress on citing or rewriting the section, I've removed it. Sources should be added for any assertions that people want to restore. Brendan Moody 04:52, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

Well, there ought to be SOME criticism. No white person was ever depicted as remotely competent, all minors were inherently naughty and untrustworthy despite ridiculously strict parents, Claire didn't remotely respect her husband or his choice of what to EAT... Plus they didn't remotely try to match the race of the kids to their parents, they had at least 2 white kids posing as African-Americans.. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 64.122.208.51 (talk) 16:49, 19 February 2007 (UTC).

That's subjective and doesn't belong in an encyclopedic reference unless, as Brendan Moody says, all assertations can be fully referenced. (Kereama 08:25, 3 June 2007 (UTC))

The 2 cast members I believe the user before Kereama is referring to (Sabrina LeBeauf & Lisa Bonet) are NOT white (Bonet is bi-racial, however), so that comment isn't even accurate, let alone fair. WAVY 10 14:11, 3 June 2007 (UTC)

No white person was depicted as competent? I distinctly remember the Huxtables going to dinner and being friends with quite a few successful white professionals. Also, Bill Cosby gave Adam Sandler his first TV gig (as Theo's friend who was diagnosed with cancer). And do you pay attention to shows that don't show any competent black people (if any at all)? Hmmm....And not all of the minors were inherently naughty and untrustworthy....they were normal teenagers! And all of them ended up doing well--Sandra graduated from Princeton and eventually decided to return to law school, Theo graduated from NYU and headed off to SF, Denise married a man from Annapolis and pursued a career in education, Vanessa was in college, and Rudy was still in high school at the end of the series. You call that naughty! Let's compare their successes and adventures as teenagers to other shows.....oh, and how is Claire's treatment of Cliff any different from most other sitcoms (Everybody Loves Raymond and King of Queens come to mind). And if you think the actresses who play Sandra and Denise are white, you are SO ignorant. Not all black people are dark skinned....my mom is a perfect example. But go to their bios and check it out. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.6.251.36 (talk) 22:03, 20 September 2007 (UTC)

Sondra

Where did she come from? She just randomly appears one season, and is their daughter. How did that happen? +andrew^Talk 05:38, 8 September 2006 (UTC)

I don't know but the actress who plays her was picked over Whitney Houston. Whitney Houston went for her role and they picked that actress. See Whitney Houston. I found that kind of interesting. Twentyboy 18:38, 19 October 2006 (UTC)

I bought Season 1 on DVD. It's interesting how in the first episode Cliff asks why they have four children, only to be told by his wife 'because they didn't have five'. Then a few episodes later they have another child!Jleonau 04:29, 7 December 2006 (UTC)

Kind of funny how that conflict was never resolved. WAVY 10 17:46, 21 February 2007 (UTC)

They also refer to Heathclif as Clifford, and Theo as Teddy...it was a pilot...changes are often made aftera pilot (although the Teddy thing occurred in a couple of early episodes)... Bjewiki 18:35, 21 February 2007 (UTC)

I agree and think the main reason why the sondra/clifford/teddy items are not resolved is that the first episode is a pilot, and in a number of shows, pilots tend to differ from what follows when the network picks up the show. For this reason, the second episode is generally considered "the first". I dont believe the clifford reference ought to be listed as a mistake as the wiki currently stands. My suggestion is that a seperate section be added for the pilot itself, noting these differences, and also the dining and living rooms as being different sets. I also think it is interesting that, while reference is made to Claire being a laywer in the pilot, she remains portrayed as a sterotypical housewife and matriarch - something I feel the show moved away from when the series was picked up. There is enough information, trivia, and point of difference to warrant the pilot being acknowledged seperately. Kereama 03:26, 29 May 2007 (UTC)

I don't think the dining room was a completely different set - like the parents' bedroom, it was just done up very differently from the regular episodes following. SchuminWeb (Talk) 17:18, 3 June 2007 (UTC)

Character Section

I noticed that there are character pages for shows like Full House. I like both Full House and The Cosby Show, but I think this show is FAR more notable, and deserves character pages at least as much, if not more than, Full House.

Just my opinion.

198.85.73.12 19:17, 6 March 2007 (UTC)

That's the beauty of wikipedia, feel free to start creating them. Bjewiki 20:07, 6 March 2007 (UTC)

Just added - please feel free to pad it out (Kereama 09:52, 3 June 2007 (UTC))

I would like to know why "theo" has two beds i his room????

dobesxx

--I have an answer based on my childhood: for when friends slept over.

I always thought Denise and Theo shared rooms —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Magikmm (talk • contribs) 02:58, August 21, 2007 (UTC).

They never shared rooms, but Denise occupied the room that was historically Theo's room for the sixth and seventh seasons. SchuminWeb (Talk) 09:55, 21 August 2007 (UTC)

The Drew Cosby Show ?

The article says its the "Drew Cosby show" When it actully is just "The cosby show".Also,it says it stars some guy named "Drew Cosby".It stars "Bill Cosby". —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 75.117.8.202 (talk) 16:53, 4 April 2007 (UTC).

minor trivia fix

"When she (Lisa Bonet) threatened to press charges" changed to "When she threatened to legal action"

Since when can you press charges against someone for firing you from a sitcom? :p Raphaelaarchon 06:48, 6 April 2007 (UTC)

This still doesn't make sense IN GRAMMARDshibshm (talk) 01:01, 28 January 2008 (UTC)

Titles

I remember reading somewhere that the Mama Hale backdrop (used in season 7) was originally intended for season 6. However, the producers had not sought permission to use it, and after only 2 or 3 episodes, they reverted back to the season 5 titles and Erika Alexander's (cousin Pam) name was added as a subtitle. This is the only explanation as to why the 5th and 6th seasons used the same opening titles - but I cant remember where I read it. I think it should be acknowledged on the wiki, but need to find the source first. Can anyone remember? Kereama 03:31, 29 May 2007 (UTC)

Um, the "Mama Hale" one was season 8 (it ran 8 seasons), was originally intended for season 7, and reverted to the season 6 titles. WAVY 10 20:26, 31 May 2007 (UTC)

Cleanup

This article still needs some serious cleaning up. Anthony Rupert 13:13, 29 May 2007 (UTC)

Agreed - did a substantial re-ordering of sections tonight, and moved cast to seperate character page. (Kereama 09:53, 3 June 2007 (UTC))

Rearranged the Criticism and Overview sections.--200.32.253.158 20:33, 11 June 2007 (UTC) - The overview cleanup looks good thanks Kereama 22:17, 11 June 2007 (UTC)

Removed cast info that had been added to the article above the actual cast section of the page- "Guest Star Appearances" info is already included in the seperate cast article, and "Other Cast Appearances" was moved there also. Kereama 22:17, 11 June 2007 (UTC)

Criticsms needs sources, or should be removed until we can cite them. Kereama 22:18, 11 June 2007 (UTC)

On the point of criticisms, I agree. But before we zap it, I've tagged with {{fact}} tags for now, in hopes someone will notice and dig up a cite. The last one should be easy to cite, as it really just needs to be formatted properly and given a page number. SchuminWeb (Talk) 23:14, 11 June 2007 (UTC)

Good plan, thanks 203.109.185.23 10:14, 14 June 2007 (UTC)

I second - the whole problem before was that I don't think there were specifics enough, and one paragraph made it sound like shows with African-Americans were *supposed* to talk about AIDS, poverty, and such, which I believe led others to post that that wasn't justified - becuase to say that every African-American family is going to talk about these issues is in itself stereotypical, if not racist. It's somewhat better to merely say that there was no discussion of these issues.

I think that it's going to be hard, though, becasue the issue of race is much more complex than the criticism section of one sitcom can *ever* delineate. Let's face it - there are major differences in the makeup of all families, black, white, Latino, etc.; some families are able to become middle or upper middle class becasue they take advantage of opportunities they have, whereas others are victims of genuine racism and can't. However, most fall into a gray area where it's 50-50, or 80-20 one way or the other. The fact that this show portrayed blacks in non-stereotypical roles is noteworthy, and should be placed somewhere. However, I wonder if, by showing some poor African-Americans, that the show would then have come under criticism for saying, "You're just showing stereotypes now."

Perhaps a better way to put it - and I have no idea where this would be - is that this show went so far the other way as to not show much of the other side of the coin at all. And, that perhaps there should have been more of a cross-section of the African-American community shown. Hmmm, though upon looking at it, that in itself might be too much editorializing on the criticism itself. But, then you have the question of who the critics were, whether they had an agenda themselves...it's very confusing.

I wonder, too, if that has to do with the creator himself, as Bill Cosby had much cretaive control. I don't want to make any additions about that in there now, though, as it's just speculation.

Third Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Reference

Hey everyone, I just wanted to point out another reference to the Cosby Show. In episode four, called "Not With My Pig, You Won't," I think, the episode where Uncle Phil wins the Urban Spirit reward and there's controversy with his mother about his childhood. Sitting on the couch Will yells, "OOH! There's a street-wise cousin coming onto the Cosby's! That should be decent." (something like that) - to my knowledge referring to Pam moving into the Huxtable home. Anyone think this should be added? Thudunder 06:19, 1 July 2007 (UTC)

Parodies and cultural references section

As it's basically an off-topic trivia section, I propose outright removal of the section. Thoughts? SchuminWeb (Talk) 23:19, 6 July 2007 (UTC)

Italian variations

In the interest of keeping things neat and tidy, let's put all the variations on the show in different language versions into the "International variations" section and elaborate on all the differences there if need be. To mention all over the place, hey, this was this in the Italian version gets sloppy pretty quickly. SchuminWeb (Talk) 17:00, 14 July 2007 (UTC)

Criticism...

In a 1992 book, authors Sut Jhally and Justin Lewis use the results of an audience study to argue that the Cosby Show obscured the issues of class and race and reinforced the myth that African Americans have only themselves to blame if they don't succeed in society.[2]

--Yeah, God forbid people accept personal responsibility...12.26.68.146 16:21, 18 September 2007 (UTC)

That criticism is COMPLETELY BOGUS of course. When this show was on air, hip-hop was in full swing and a person didnt have to look far to see rappers shoving the "street" image of blackness down our throats. So this notion that the Cosby Show had some responsibility to be all things to all people is foolish at best, disingenuous at worst. it was a show about normal middle class all American folks, and thats all it should have strived to be.

Pilot

It's stated on the page that Clair is made out to be a housewife in the pilot instead of a lawyer. But in the pilot, Theo clearly states that his dad is a doctor and mom's a lawyer. Avatar 1 (talk) 05:45, 12 October 2008 (UTC)

It is possible that the kitchen scene was filmed at a later date with canned laughter. Denise's hairstyle is different later in the episode, however that could be because she's going on a date. But, (for those that own the season 1 DVD set) if the viewer pauses at the moment "Clifford" walks in the kitchen, they can see the living room that is used throughout the show's run behind him. —Preceding unsigned comment added by DigtlLogic (talk • contribs) 10:02, 6 December 2008 (UTC)

Justin Bukartek Lifetime Achievement Award

The last edit that was identified as vandalism added the Justin Bukartek Lifetime Achievement Award. I looked it up and it seems to be identified on several Cosby Show pages on the net, including IMDB. Is the whole thing an elaborate hoax?

Oh, you found something? If so, please restore it with citation, and my apologies. I Googled the name and didn't find anything except for some school sports records, so I dismissed it as vandalism. SchuminWeb (Talk) 16:33, 30 November 2008 (UTC)

I want to make it clear that I'm not the one who added the award. But if you search "Justin Bukartek Lifetime Achievement Award" you will find several sites that say the Cosby Show won this award. But I'm still reluctant to add it because none of the sites are credible sources and I can't find anything that says what this award is or who else has ever won this award. Belasted (talk) 18:03, 30 November 2008 (UTC)

Okay, then let's skip it for now, and if a reliable source does surface, then we'll act. SchuminWeb (Talk) 20:26, 30 November 2008 (UTC)

I did a Google search for that award and looked at the first two results. They are both sites that mirror Wikipedia content, something which several sites do. I then did a Google search for a site that mentions that award without using the name "Cosby": no sites were found. I'd say it's very likely that this award is a hoax. Even if it's a real award, it's probably so minor it doesn't merit being mentioned in Wikipedia. JTSchreiber (talk) 21:25, 30 November 2008 (UTC)

Syndication

What shows did NOT air in the original run? All the dates in the list of episodes show an original date (or supposedly to be aired). I think the ones that were only aired in syndication should be marked as 'Aired in syndication only'? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 63.214.229.61 (talk • contribs)

I believe the discrepancy comes from a couple of hour-long episodes (one was the final episode, and I think the other was in the seventh season). In those cases, the originally hour-long episodes were split into two for syndication. SchuminWeb (Talk) 03:55, 25 June 2009 (UTC)

Fin

Why did it end? The article doesn't say. The ratings seemed to decline in the penultimate year and then fell off considerably in the final season, but it's not clear why; did Cosby lose interest or move to another project, or was it up against something else in the schedules, or was it simply out of date? -Ashley Pomeroy (talk) 18:30, 18 November 2009 (UTC)

Second spinoff?

I'm not sure if I just imagined this one night, or saw another show with Bill Cosby in it, but I thought one time I saw an episode of a show where Cosby was his character Cliff Huxtable as a teacher in a high-school, after he had retired from medicine--kind of in the same vein as Archie's Place after the end of All in the Family.

Did this happen, or am I mistaking something else for this? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.85.160.226 (talk) 03:48, 11 April 2010 (UTC)