TV series
The Cosby Show is an American television situation comedy starring Bill Cosby, which aired for eight seasons on NBC from September 20, 1984 until April 30, 1992. The show focuses on the Huxtable family, an upper middle-class African-American family living in Brooklyn, New York.
Streaming, rental and purchase options
Checked Jul 22, 2026
The Cosby Show is available to stream on Philo in United States. You can also buy it from Amazon. Use the direct links below to open the provider.
The Cosby Show is an American television situation comedy starring Bill Cosby, which aired for eight seasons on NBC from September 20, 1984 until April 30, 1992. The show focuses on the Huxtable family, an upper middle-class African-American family living in Brooklyn, New York.
Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.
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."
Directed by Jay SandrichWritten by Carmen FinestraGuest stars Lisa Bonet
Episode 2
Cliff prepares for a physical.
Directed by Jay SandrichWritten by Carmen FinestraGuest stars Lisa Bonet, John Amos, Sari Chang
Episode 3
Rudy's friend sleeps over.
Written by Janet LeahyGuest stars Grace Johnston
Episode 4
Everyone wants pregnant Sondra and Elvin to find a new house. Elvin's surname, Tibideaux, is revealed.
Written by Carmen FinestraGuest stars Lisa Bonet, Earle Hyman, Raphael Sbarge, Clarice Taylor, Edouard DeSoto, Mary B. Ward
Episode 5
Denise leaves Brooklyn for a job in Africa.
Written by Carmen FinestraGuest stars Lisa Bonet, J. August Richards, L. Scott Caldwell, Pam Potillo, Elizabeth Narvaez
Episode 6
Sondra goes into labor, and Elvin is a nervous wreck. 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.
Written by Carmen FinestraGuest stars Deon Richmond, Earle Hyman, Robbi Chong, Kasi Lemmons, Clarice Taylor, Naomi Campbell, Steven Culp, Michelle Thomas
Episode 7
Theo wants to date his friend Howard's ex-girlfriend, but he is stunned upon learning who she wants to date.
Directed by Chuck VinsonGuest stars Troy Winbush, Naomi Campbell, Reno Wilson, Hazel Medina
Episode 8
Vanessa, Janet and Kara want to be professional singers; Russell wins a prize in a sweepstakes, which turns out to be a toaster.
Written by Janet LeahyGuest stars Earle Hyman, Betty Carter, Pam Potillo, Elizabeth Narvaez
Episode 9
Clair secretly goes on a crash diet and exercise program to lose five pounds in a week so she can fit into a dress.
Directed by Jay SandrichWritten by Carmen FinestraGuest stars Debbie Allen, Carole Shelley, Yvonne Warden, Ahmad Rashād
Episode 10
Rudy takes care of a friend's hamster for the weekend.
Written by Mark St. GermainGuest stars Earle Hyman, Iona Morris, Grace Johnston, Diana Georger
Episode 11
Rudy lies to cover for Vanessa, who secretly goes out on a date with her older boyfriend.
Written by Carmen FinestraGuest stars Christopher Carter
Episode 12
Cliff babysits Winnie and Nelson when the rest of the family goes to see a Michael Jackson concert.
Guest stars Deon Richmond, Earle Hyman, Clarice Taylor, Donovan Bryant, Jalese Grays, Jenelle Grays, Darrian Bryant
Episode 13
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.
Directed by Chuck VinsonWritten by Carmen FinestraGuest stars Russell Nype, Austin Pendleton, Kevin Kilner, Michael Lombard, Richard Gant, Rudolfo Diaz, Richard Scanlon
Episode 14
With the rest of the family gone for the night, Theo throws a "small" party that gets out of control.
Written by Carmen FinestraGuest stars Deon Richmond, Earle Hyman, Chandra Wilson, LaChanze, Troy Winbush, Clarice Taylor, Reno Wilson, Alex Ruiz
Episode 15
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.
Written by Carmen FinestraGuest stars Arnold Stang, Sammy Davis Jr., Colleen Dodson, Leticia Herrera
Episode 16
Rudy wants to change some of her rules.
Written by Carmen FinestraGuest stars Peter Costa, Deon Richmond, Reno Wilson, Naoka Nakagawa, Heather Coleman
Episode 17
Theo consults a voodoo shopkeeper for advice on winning his girlfriend back.
Written by Carmen FinestraGuest stars Harold Perrineau, Troy Winbush, Moses Gunn, Michelle Thomas, Reno Wilson, Elizabeth Narvaez, Alex Ruiz
Episode 18
Cliff's old basketball friend comes to visit.
Written by Carmen FinestraGuest stars Reno Wilson, Alex Ruiz, Tiger Haynes, Birdie M. Hale, Dave DeBusschere, Nancy Lieberman, Bill Bradley
Episode 19
Sondra bemoans taking care of the twins.
Directed by Jay SandrichGuest stars Deon Richmond, Earle Hyman, Clarice Taylor, Marcella Lowery, Dennis Scott, Darrian Bryant, Donovan Bryant, Jalese Grays
Episode 20
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.
Written by Mark St. GermainGuest stars Tichina Arnold, Vanessa Williams, Leila Kenzle, Michelle Thomas, Una Kim
Episode 21
Clair's 46th birthday.
Directed by Jay SandrichWritten by Carmen FinestraGuest stars Christine Andreas, Plácido Domingo, Pamela Blair, Denise Nicholas, BarBara Luna, Barbara E. Smith
Episode 22
Vanessa and Rudy argue and fight. After the sisters do physical damage to the house, Cliff exiles them to the basement.
Where to watch The Cosby Show
Episode 23
Theo's friend Denny finds an expensive watch and gives it to his girlfriend, but it is soon revealed to be stolen merchandise.
Directed by Chuck VinsonWritten by Carmen FinestraGuest stars Troy Winbush, Vanessa Williams, Eden Svendahl, Alex Ruiz, Don Reed, Frank Adu, Eleva Singleton
Episode 24
Sondra comes down with strep throat, prompting her mother Clair and Elvin's mother Francine to "steal" the babies.
Directed by Chuck VinsonWritten by Carmen FinestraGuest stars Christine Andreas, Pamela Blair, Marcella Lowery, Donovan Bryant, Jalese Grays, Jenelle Grays, Darrian Bryant
Episode 25
Theo wants to go to Egypt for an archaeological dig.
Directed by Chuck VinsonWritten by Carmen FinestraGuest stars Deon Richmond, Earle Hyman, Reno Wilson, Darrell Echols, Alex Ruiz, Una Kim, Eden Svendahl
Episode information updated Jul 24, 2026
Bill CosbyHeathcliff Huxtable
Phylicia RashādClair Huxtable
Malcolm-Jamal WarnerTheo Huxtable
Tempestt BledsoeVanessa Huxtable
Lisa BonetDenise Huxtable
Keshia Knight PulliamRudy Huxtable
Sabrina Le BeaufSondra Huxtable
Geoffrey OwensElvin Tibideaux
NBCUnited States
Carsey-Werner CompanyUnited States
