The BEST episodes written by John Markus

Say Hello to a Good Buy
star
8.82
337 votes

#1 - Say Hello to a Good Buy

The Cosby Show - Season 3 - Episode 15

Cliff buys a new car. Rudy cuts some animal pictures out of Cliff's expensive books for school. Guest appearance by Sinbad, who would later portray Walter Oakes on the Cosby Show spinoff, A Different World. Watched by almost 65 million viewers when it originally aired, "Say Hello to a Good Buy" was the series' highest rated episode.

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Denise: The Saga Continues
star
8.77
222 votes

#2 - Denise: The Saga Continues

The Cosby Show - Season 6 - Episode 1

Denise returns from Africa, with a new husband and stepdaughter in tow. Joseph C. Phillips and Raven-Symoné join the cast as Martin and Olivia Kendall. Last appearance of Peter Costa as Peter.

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Day of the Locusts
star
8.40
147 votes

#3 - Day of the Locusts

The Cosby Show - Season 5 - Episode 25

Sondra comes down with strep throat, prompting her mother Clair and Elvin's mother Francine to "steal" the babies.

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I Know That You Know
star
8.35
250 votes

#4 - I Know That You Know

The Cosby Show - Season 3 - Episode 21

When Sondra and Elvin announce their engagement, Clair and the children use the news to play a practical joke on Cliff, who launches a counter-offensive of his own. Geoffrey Owens as Elvin.

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Father's Day
star
8.27
256 votes

#5 - Father's Day

The Cosby Show - Season 1 - Episode 13

Cliff complains about the poor quality of his annual Father's Day gifts. He challenges the children to find some better presents for a December Father's Day. They give him thoughtful-if not quite attractive-presents.

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Cliff in Love
star
8.21
249 votes

#6 - Cliff in Love

The Cosby Show - Season 2 - Episode 4

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)

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Theogate
star
8.19
194 votes

#7 - Theogate

The Cosby Show - Season 4 - Episode 2

Theo and Cockroach come home unusually late from a track meet, and the Huxtables got a phone message earlier from the track coach. They both deny anything out of the ordinary happened, but attorney Clair knows better. A mock trial is held for Theo and Cockroach at the Huxtables' for Clair to get to the bottom of the situation. Carl Anthony Payne II as Cockroach. Bill Cosby and Keshia Knight Pulliam appear on the episode of A Different World which airs later that evening.

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No Way, Baby
star
7.99
143 votes

#8 - No Way, Baby

The Cosby Show - Season 5 - Episode 16

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.

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Cliff's Birthday
star
7.95
258 votes

#9 - Cliff's Birthday

The Cosby Show - Season 1 - Episode 24

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.

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Home for the Weekend
star
7.94
146 votes

#10 - Home for the Weekend

The Cosby Show - Season 4 - Episode 22

Denise comes home from college, but seems to have more time for her friends than for the family.

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How Ugly Is He?
star
7.93
318 votes

#11 - How Ugly Is He?

The Cosby Show - Season 1 - Episode 9

Denise has a new boyfriend, David, but is reluctant to bring him home. She fears that Cliff will, like always, make fun of the boy and ruin her chances with him. Cliff and Clair are initially impressed with David until he expresses some unwanted opinions about medicine and the law at dinner. Kristoff St. John plays boyfriend David.

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Theo and the Joint
star
7.93
233 votes

#12 - Theo and the Joint

The Cosby Show - Season 1 - Episode 17

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.

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Isn't It Romantic?
star
7.91
181 votes

#13 - Isn't It Romantic?

The Cosby Show - Season 6 - Episode 20

Cliff, Elvin and Martin secretly compete to determine who is the most romantic husband in the Huxtable family.

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A Shirt Story
star
7.91
379 votes

#14 - A Shirt Story

The Cosby Show - Season 1 - Episode 5

Theo wants to impress a girl by wearing an expensive shirt by designer Gordon Gartrelle. Since Cliff and Clair will not pay for it, Denise offers to make a copy of the shirt for him. Guest appearance by Kadeem Hardison, who years later would portray Dwayne Wayne on the Cosby Show spinoff, A Different World.

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Bad Dreams
star
7.90
332 votes

#15 - Bad Dreams

The Cosby Show - Season 1 - Episode 3

Vanessa claims that she is old enough to watch a scary movie, but Cliff still forbids it. Vanessa sneaks out anyway, but ends up having nightmares as a result.

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Theo's Holiday
star
7.89
335 votes

#16 - Theo's Holiday

The Cosby Show - Season 2 - Episode 22

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.

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Cliff Babysits
star
7.86
238 votes

#17 - Cliff Babysits

The Cosby Show - Season 5 - Episode 13

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).

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Together Again and Again
star
7.81
195 votes

#18 - Together Again and Again

The Cosby Show - Season 5 - Episode 1

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."

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Physician of the Year
star
7.80
243 votes

#19 - Physician of the Year

The Cosby Show - Season 1 - Episode 15

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

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Looking Back (1)
star
7.80
185 votes

#20 - Looking Back (1)

The Cosby Show - Season 4 - Episode 8

Sondra and Elvin have their first marital fight, and Elvin comes to the Huxtable house for comfort and support. Clair shares about the difficulties in their house as flashbacks are shown.

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The Show Must Go On
star
7.80
148 votes

#21 - The Show Must Go On

The Cosby Show - Season 4 - Episode 13

Vaudeville is shown to Rudy and her friends, who are unimpressed. Deon Richmond as Kenny.

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Play It Again, Russell
star
7.79
278 votes

#22 - Play It Again, Russell

The Cosby Show - Season 2 - Episode 17

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.

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Where is the Love?
star
7.78
59 votes

#23 - Where is the Love?

The Larry Sanders Show - Season 5 - Episode 3

Larry gets upset over a review from TV critic Tom Shales, prompting him to fire off a fax in retaliation and to seek sympathy from show guest Sally Field.

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Food for Thought
star
7.77
292 votes

#24 - Food for Thought

The Cosby Show - Season 3 - Episode 2

Clair challenges Cliff to not eat any salty food for the day. Denise leaves for her freshman year at Hillman College.

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Mr. Sandman
star
7.74
176 votes

#25 - Mr. Sandman

The Cosby Show - Season 6 - Episode 19

Rudy is forced to take tap dancing lessons for a school project. Cliff is presented with a "challenge" he cannot resist. Guest appearances by Howard "Sandman" Sims and Elaine Stritch.

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Getting to Know You
star
7.71
119 votes

#26 - Getting to Know You

The Cosby Show - Season 6 - Episode 12

As Christmas approaches, Cliff and Martin get to know each other better. Denise and Martin recreate their wedding ceremony, which allows Cliff to give his daughter away.

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I'm 'In' With the 'In' Crowd
star
7.70
226 votes

#27 - I'm 'In' With the 'In' Crowd

The Cosby Show - Season 6 - Episode 3

Vanessa and her friends get drunk playing a drinking game. Pam Potillo as Janet. Elizabeth Narvaez as Kara. Guest appearance by Bill Cosby's real-life daughter Ensa Cosby, upon whom the character Vanessa is loosely based.

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Ellen, or Isn't She?
star
7.68
63 votes

#28 - Ellen, or Isn't She?

The Larry Sanders Show - Season 5 - Episode 4

Artie pushes Larry to get Ellen Degeneres to come out of the closet on their show, but Larry pursues some personal research first. Beverly spoils Artie's birthday by circulating the show's budget, with everyone's salary, amongst the staff.

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Is That My Boy?
star
7.68
390 votes

#29 - Is That My Boy?

The Cosby Show - Season 1 - Episode 4

Freshman Theo tries out for the football team and makes it. Cliff is overjoyed, but his pride falters when he discovers his son will never be a star. Theo, however, is just happy being on the team.

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Denise's Friend
star
7.67
167 votes

#30 - Denise's Friend

The Cosby Show - Season 2 - Episode 11

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.

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The Younger Woman
star
7.64
232 votes

#31 - The Younger Woman

The Cosby Show - Season 1 - Episode 21

Cliff and Clair receive a visit from an old friend—and he has a new girlfriend that is half his age. They are initially suspicious, but learn that judging by appearances isn't always right.

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The Birth (1)
star
7.63
185 votes

#32 - The Birth (1)

The Cosby Show - Season 5 - Episode 6

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.

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Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
star
7.62
175 votes

#33 - Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

The Cosby Show - Season 4 - Episode 15

Rudy has to play the violin in music class at school, but gets jealous because she thinks her classmates' instruments are more fun. Deon Richmond as Kenny. Naoka Nakagawa as Kim.

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The Physical
star
7.62
258 votes

#34 - The Physical

The Cosby Show - Season 5 - Episode 2

Cliff prepares for a physical. John Amos as Dr. Bradley Herbert, Jr.

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Clair's Sister
star
7.62
225 votes

#35 - Clair's Sister

The Cosby Show - Season 2 - Episode 9

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.

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Thanksgiving at the Huxtables
star
7.60
245 votes

#36 - Thanksgiving at the Huxtables

The Cosby Show - Season 6 - Episode 9

Denise invites Martin's ex-wife Paula for Thanksgiving dinner. Clair continues to send Cliff to the store for last-minute groceries, despite the fact that it is a cold and rainy Thanksgiving Day. Victoria Rowell as Paula.

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Gone Fishin'
star
7.60
60 votes

#37 - Gone Fishin'

The Cosby Show - Season 4 - Episode 24

When the Huxtable men go fishing, Theo catches a dead body, and soon attracts attention from the media. This success goes to his head, while Rudy and Kenny find a nest of baby birds, but the mother bird is missing. The two stories eventually cross in a surprising-and rather humiliating-lesson for Theo. Deon Richmond as Kenny.

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It Ain't Easy Being Green
star
7.57
166 votes

#38 - It Ain't Easy Being Green

The Cosby Show - Season 4 - Episode 3

Rudy wants to wear summer clothes in winter to a party, while Cliff tries to get rid of an old water heater.

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Grampy and Nu-Nu Visit the Huxtables
star
7.57
123 votes

#39 - Grampy and Nu-Nu Visit the Huxtables

The Cosby Show - Season 6 - Episode 10

Martin's parents (Olivia's grandparents) come for a visit. Actor Moses Gunn and jazz singer Nancy Wilson guest star as Martin's parents.

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The Lost Weekend
star
7.55
207 votes

#40 - The Lost Weekend

The Cosby Show - Season 5 - Episode 15

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.

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First Day of School
star
7.53
414 votes

#41 - First Day of School

The Cosby Show - Season 2 - Episode 1

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

Arnie Meets the Kids
star
7.52
31 votes

#42 - Arnie Meets the Kids

Taxi - Season 5 - Episode 20

Elaine is seriously dating the nerdy Arnie, also introduced in the Shloogel Show episode earlier this season, and decides it's time for him to meet her kids although she isn't sure if that's a great idea. Arnie is also very worried about the meeting and when he meets them, he tries a little too hard to make him their favorite person. In the process, he gives them presents and even money, to Elaine's dismay. In an effort to set things right, Arnie tells the kids that he didn't mean to try to buy their affection and it turns out they still like him. Elaine then realizes that now that the kids like Arnie so much, she's pretty much stuck with him-- but she's pleased about this.

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The Birth (2)
star
7.51
138 votes

#43 - The Birth (2)

The Cosby Show - Season 5 - Episode 7

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.

Move It
star
7.50
182 votes

#44 - Move It

The Cosby Show - Season 5 - Episode 4

Everyone wants pregnant Sondra and Elvin to find a new house. Elvin's surname, Tibideaux, is revealed.

The Visit
star
7.48
144 votes

#45 - The Visit

The Cosby Show - Season 4 - Episode 16

Theo visits a friend in the hospital who has cancer. Troy Winbush as Denny. Adam Sandler as Smitty. Special appearance by Armand Hammer.

Man Talk
star
7.48
259 votes

#46 - Man Talk

The Cosby Show - Season 3 - Episode 4

Although he has a steady girlfriend, Theo wants to start dating someone else. Carl Anthony Payne II as Cockroach.

Cyranoise de Bergington
star
7.47
182 votes

#47 - Cyranoise de Bergington

The Cosby Show - Season 5 - Episode 8

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.

Trust Me
star
7.46
179 votes

#48 - Trust Me

The Cosby Show - Season 4 - Episode 21

A friend of Clair's has marital problems; Cliff takes a "mini-vacation" in the house as Theo, Rudy, and Vanessa try to stump each other with riddles.

It Comes and It Goes
star
7.37
149 votes

#49 - It Comes and It Goes

The Cosby Show - Season 5 - Episode 20

Sondra bemoans taking care of the twins.

A Room With No View
star
7.36
147 votes

#50 - A Room With No View

The Cosby Show - Season 5 - Episode 23

Vanessa and Rudy argue and fight. After the sisters do physical damage to the house, Cliff exiles them to the basement.