The BEST episodes of The Cosby Show season 5
Every episode of The Cosby Show season 5, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of The Cosby Show season 5!
Dr. Heathcliff "Cliff" Huxtable was an OBGYN (obstetrician/gynecologist), and his wife Clair was a successful attorney. They had five children: Sondra, Denise, Theo, Vanessa and Rudy. Sondra was rarely seen during the first season because she was away at Princeton. She became a regular character in the second season, and was usually seen with her on-again off-again beau, Elvin. They eventually married and had twins; but not before stunning their families by announcing the fact that Elvin was dropping out of medical school to open a camping store, and Sondra was dropping out of law school to help her husband in his endeavor. Denise was the "unique" child, the black sheep of the family. She had her own way of doing things, right down to the style of clothing she wore. After graduating high school, she left for Hillman College in 1986 (a year later, this would become the setting for the spin-off A Different World), but returned two years later with news that she was dropping ou
#1 - Day of the Locusts
Season 5 - Episode 25 - Aired 5/4/1989
Sondra comes down with strep throat, prompting her mother Clair and Elvin's mother Francine to "steal" the babies.
#2 - No Way, Baby
Season 5 - Episode 16 - Aired 2/6/1989
Cliff tracks down the grandfather of one of his patients: an expectant teenage mother with no other family. Clair deduces that the charming man is illiterate. Guest appearance by Sammy Davis, Jr.
#3 - Birthday Blues
Season 5 - Episode 22 - Aired 3/30/1989
Clair's 46th birthday.
#4 - Cliff Babysits
Season 5 - Episode 13 - Aired 1/12/1989
While the family attends a Michael Jackson concert, Cliff babysits his grandchildren Nelson and Winnie. First mention of Cliff's younger brother James, who died of rheumatic fever as a child (Bill Cosby's actual brother James died of the same illness at the age of six).
#5 - Together Again and Again
Season 5 - Episode 1 - Aired 10/6/1988
As Theo begins his freshman year at New York University, Denise announces that she is dropping out of Hillman College. Sondra is revealed to be pregnant. First mention of Cliff's theory that the children keep returning home because "they want the house."
Watch Now:Amazon#6 - The Birth (1)
Season 5 - Episode 6 - Aired 11/10/1988
Sondra goes into labor, and Elvin is a nervous wreck. Deon Richmond as Kenny. Michelle Thomas as Justine. First appearances of Reno Wilson as Howard, and Elizabeth Narvaez as Kara. Guest appearance by Naomi Campbell.
#7 - The Physical
Season 5 - Episode 2 - Aired 10/13/1988
Cliff prepares for a physical. John Amos as Dr. Bradley Herbert, Jr.
#8 - The Lost Weekend
Season 5 - Episode 15 - Aired 2/2/1989
With the rest of the family gone for the night, Theo throws a "small" party that gets out of control. Troy Winbush as Denny. Reno Wilson as Howard. First appearance of Alex Ruiz as Lou. Cameo appearance by Joie Lee. Phylicia Rashād (Clair), Malcolm-Jamal Warner (Theo), Tempestt Bledsoe (Vanessa), and Elizabeth Narvaez (Kara) appear on the episode of A Different World which airs later that evening.
#9 - Theo's Women
Season 5 - Episode 21 - Aired 3/16/1989
After catching Theo kissing another woman in the lounge of her dormitory, Justine breaks up with him. Desperate to win her back, Theo turns to Cliff for advice. Michelle Thomas as Justine. First appearance of Vanessa A. Williams as Jade.
#10 - Move It
Season 5 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/27/1988
Everyone wants pregnant Sondra and Elvin to find a new house. Elvin's surname, Tibideaux, is revealed.
#11 - The Birth (2)
Season 5 - Episode 7 - Aired 11/10/1988
Sondra gives birth to twins—a boy and a girl—who are named after Nelson Mandela and his then-wife Winnie. Elvin decides to return to medical school.
#12 - Cyranoise de Bergington
Season 5 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/17/1988
Theo wants to date his friend Howard's ex-girlfriend, but he is stunned upon learning who she wants to date. Troy Winbush as Denny. Reno Wilson as Howard.
#13 - It Comes and It Goes
Season 5 - Episode 20 - Aired 3/9/1989
Sondra bemoans taking care of the twins.
#14 - Truth or Consequences
Season 5 - Episode 12 - Aired 1/5/1989
Rudy lies to cover for Vanessa, who secretly goes out on a date with her older boyfriend.
#15 - A Room With No View
Season 5 - Episode 23 - Aired 4/13/1989
Vanessa and Rudy argue and fight. After the sisters do physical damage to the house, Cliff exiles them to the basement.
#16 - Out of Brooklyn
Season 5 - Episode 5 - Aired 11/3/1988
Denise leaves Brooklyn for a job in Africa (Lisa Bonet's last appearance of Season 5).
#17 - If the Dress Fits, Wear It
Season 5 - Episode 10 - Aired 12/8/1988
Clair secretly goes on a crash diet and exercise program to lose five pounds in a week so she can fit into a dress. Appearance by Debbie Allen; voice-over by Ahmad Rashād (Phylicia Rashād's sister and husband).
#18 - The Dead End Kids Meet Dr. Lotus
Season 5 - Episode 18 - Aired 2/16/1989
Theo consults a voodoo shopkeeper for advice on winning his girlfriend back. Troy Winbush as Denny. Reno Wilson as Howard. Alex Ruiz as Lou. Michelle Thomas as Justine. Guest appearances by Moses Gunn and Harold Perrineau.
#19 - How Do You Get to Carnegie Hall?
Season 5 - Episode 9 - Aired 12/1/1988
Vanessa, Janet and Kara want to be professional singers; Russell wins a prize in a sweepstakes, which turns out to be a toaster. Pam Potillo as Janet. Elizabeth Narvaez as Kara. Guest appearance by singer Betty Carter.
#20 - Can I Say Something, Please?
Season 5 - Episode 17 - Aired 2/9/1989
Rudy wants to change some of her rules. Voice-over by Ed McMahon (from The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson).
#21 - Is There a Hamster in the House?
Season 5 - Episode 11 - Aired 12/15/1988
Rudy takes care of a friend's hamster for the weekend.
#22 - Rudy's All-Nighter
Season 5 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/20/1988
Rudy's friend sleeps over.
#23 - Mrs. Huxtable Goes to Kindergarten
Season 5 - Episode 14 - Aired 1/26/1989
Clair appears as a panelist on a local Sunday morning talk show entitled "Retrospective". Clair buys a new couch and Cliff tries to keep the old one. Clair's law firm is identified as Greentree, Bradley & Dexter.
#24 - The Boys of Winter
Season 5 - Episode 19 - Aired 2/23/1989
Cliff's old basketball friend comes to visit. Guest appearance by U.S. Senator (and former NBA basketball player) Bill Bradley.
#25 - What He Did for Love
Season 5 - Episode 24 - Aired 4/27/1989
Theo's friend Denny finds an expensive watch and gives it to his girlfriend, but it is soon revealed to be stolen merchandise. Troy Winbush as Denny. Alex Ruiz as Lou. Vanessa A. Williams as Jade.