Top TV Shows: The Cosby Show

By Jill DuVall on October 29th, 2009

The Cosby Show quickly became an American favorite after its launch on NBC in 1984. After a highly successful run of eight seasons, the show came to an end in early 1992. Bill Cosby, who played the main character of Heathcliff Huxtable, helped write the show, along with Edwin B. Weinberger and Michael J. Leeson.

The show focused on Heathcliff “Cliff” Huxtable, an obstetrician, and wife Clair (Phylicia Rashad), an attorney, as they dealt with the day to day challenges of raising five children in an upper-middle-class household. The oldest child, Sondra Tibideaux (Sabrina Le Beauf), was a graduate of Princeton University, as well as the wife of Elvin Tibideaux (Geoffrey Owens). The second oldest, Denise (Lisa Bonet), was a Hillman College student who eventually moved out of the Huxtable home and married Navy Lt. Martin Kendall (Joseph C. Phillips). Theo (Malcolm-Jamal Warner), the third child and only son, was one of my favorites on the show. He represented the typical teen-age boy, often getting into trouble, not making the best grades in school and trying to impress the girls. Vanessa (Tempestt Bledsoe), the fourth child, was a good student who, for the most part, stayed out of trouble. The adorable little Rudy (Keshia Knight Pulliam), the youngest of the Huxtable children, had her mom and dad wrapped around her finger, as well as her grandparents, Russell (Earle Hyman) and Anna Huxtable (Clarice Taylor), Cliff’s parents.

Cosby’s character reflected his real life comedic nature, one that fans had already come to appreciate before his stint on The Cosby Show even began. This element of humor kept the audience coming back for more, adding to the show’s huge success and high ratings. No other actor could have given life to the character of “Cliff Huxtable” the same way that Bill Cosby did. I, for one, am glad to have had the opportunity to be a part of The Cosby Show’s audience during its eight year run. Bill Cosby will always be remembered as one of the greatest television pioneers of all time.