The Bill Cosby Show

30min

Comedy

The Bill Cosby Show is an American situation comedy that aired for two seasons on NBC's Sunday night schedule from 1969 until 1971, under the sponsorship of Procter & Gamble. There were 52 episodes made in the series. It marked Bill Cosby's first solo foray in television, after his co-starring role with Robert Culp in I Spy. The series also marked the first time an African American starred in his or her own eponymous comedy series.

Production Companies

Jemmin' Inc

Bill Cosby

Episodes

Cast

The Fatal Phone Call

1. The Fatal Phone Call

30min

14th Sep 1969

While out jogging, Chet hears the telephone ringing inside a phone booth. He hesitates, but decides to answer. As a result, Chet ends up getting involved in a dispute between an auto mechanic and his wife. In an interesting twist, a case of mistaken identity in which Chet is involved brings this episode to a close. Vic Tayback guest stars as Calvin the mechanic.

Lullaby and Goodnight

2. Lullaby and Goodnight

30min

21st Sep 1969

Chet is having difficulty sleeping at night, due to the new neighbor across the street who's dog won't stop barking.

The Best Hook Shot in the World

3. The Best Hook Shot in the World

30min

28th Sep 1969

A short, but talented youngster with an unusual hook shot is determined to make the Holmes High School basketball team, where Chet is coach. He makes the team, after defeating Chet in a game of one on one. It's the day of the big game, Chet and the team pin their hopes on the little guy and his hook shot to win the game.

A Girl Named Punkin

4. A Girl Named Punkin

30min

5th Oct 1969

Chet does volunteer work for the local community center, a place for underpriviledged children. He is having problems with Punkin, a young girl who is unresponsive and stays to herself. Chet eventually breaks through, and Punkin comes around. A touching scene where Chet tells Punkin a bedtime story and teaches her a lesson in love and caring at the same time is the high point of this episode.

Rules is Rules

5. Rules is Rules

30min

12th Oct 1969

Chet goes to great lengths to obtain a valve needle which he needs in order to inflate basketballs for his gym class.

Let X Equal a Lousy Weekend

6. Let X Equal a Lousy Weekend

30min

26th Oct 1969

When Chet is forced to fill in as a substitute algebra teacher, he comes across a word problem that he is unable to solve for the class. So, he spends most of his weekend trying to find the solution.

To Kincaid, with Love

7. To Kincaid, with Love

30min

2nd Nov 1969

Chet is receiving attention from a female student of the high school. He thinks she has a crush on him, but the girl is actually trying to set Chet up with her mother.

The Killer Instinct

8. The Killer Instinct

30min

9th Nov 1969

Chet is having problems with a proud father who insists that his son make the high school football team. Trouble is, the kid just doesn't have what it takes and is not cut out to play football.

The Substitute

9. The Substitute

30min

16th Nov 1969

Chet starts dating a substitute teacher from the high school, and has difficulty finding time to spend alone with her.

Brotherly Love

10. Brotherly Love

30min

23rd Nov 1969

Chet's brother Brian moves in with Chet after having an argument with his wife. Brian spoils Chet's plans for the evening, then hilarity ensues when they attempt to sleep in the same bed together.

Going the Route

11. Going the Route

30min

30th Nov 1969

Chet's nephew is in bed with a cold. Chet is asked and agrees to substitute for his nephew in the morning paper route.

A Word from Our Sponsor

12. A Word from Our Sponsor

30min

7th Dec 1969

A chance encounter on the street leads Chet to try out, and eventually to get hired, for a job playing an athletic coach in a breakfast cereal television commercial. Chet discovers, however, that shooting 30 seconds of film isn't as simple as it appears when the final product is seen on television.

A Christmas Ballad

13. A Christmas Ballad

30min

21st Dec 1969

Chet helps a down on his luck old timer capture the spirit of Christmas. Rex Ingram guest stars.

Home Remedy

14. Home Remedy

30min

28th Dec 1969

Chet is home with a cold, and is unable to rest because all his relatives come over offering their cure-alls and remedies.

Growing Growing Grown

15. Growing Growing Grown

30min

4th Jan 1970

Chet is asked to chaperone at a high school dance. Chet's car is not available, he ends up borrowing his brothers garbage truck to drive his date to the dance. At the dance, Chet teaches one student a lesson in the importance of physical appearance.

The Elevator Doesn't Stop Here Anymore

16. The Elevator Doesn't Stop Here Anymore

30min

11th Jan 1970

Chet gets stuck inside an elevator at the high school along with one other faculty member and the school's cleaning lady. They entertain each other until help arrives. Henry Fonda and Elsa Lanchester guest star in this episode.

Lover's Quarrel

17. Lover's Quarrel

30min

18th Jan 1970

Chet tries to get his ever arguing aunt and uncle to stop fighting and treat each other with kindness and respect. Veteran actors Mantan Moreland and Jackie ""Moms"" Mabley guest star and give classic performances as the bickering old couple.

The Worst Crook That Ever Lived

18. The Worst Crook That Ever Lived

30min

25th Jan 1970

Chet is asked to help straighten out Raymond, a youngster who has a penchant for stealing. In an effort to keep Raymond out of trouble, Chet finds a spot for him on his little league baseball team. But Raymond steals the money that Chet had saved up which was intended to buy uniforms for the team. In the end, Raymond realizes what he did was wrong and returns the money to Chet.

The Gumball Incident

19. The Gumball Incident

30min

1st Feb 1970

Chet is wrongfully accused and arrested for breaking a gumball machine. Tom Bosley guest stars as Cookie Maharg.

Goodbye Cruel World

20. Goodbye Cruel World

30min

8th Feb 1970

Wally Cox guest stars in this episode as a shy man lacking in self confidence. With Chet's help, he builds up the nerve to ask a woman out on a date. She rejects him, and he wants to commit suicide. Chet helps to restore the man's confidence and self esteem.

Driven to Distraction

21. Driven to Distraction

30min

15th Feb 1970

Drivers ed instructor Chet tries to teach a nervous student how to drive. Very funny episode.

The Blind Date

22. The Blind Date

30min

1st Mar 1970

Chet reluctantly agrees to go on a blind date, and ends up falling in love. Cicely Tyson guest stars as Chet's love interest.

How You Play the Game

23. How You Play the Game

30min

8th Mar 1970

Chet is in the running for the city handball championship. He defeats his semi-final opponent, using psychological tactics. In the final match however, Chet has the tables turned on him and loses the match while being psyched out by his opponent. By losing, Chet teaches a player on the high school football team a lesson in good sportsmanship.

The Return of Big, Bad, Bubba Bronson

24. The Return of Big, Bad, Bubba Bronson

30min

22nd Mar 1970

Big Bronson, an old high school classmate of Chet's, is coming to town for a visit. Chet recalls having a past dispute with Bronson, and fears revenge. Chet meets ex prize fighter Hurricane Smith, and asks for some boxing lessons to prepare himself for Bronson's arrival. Lou Gossett guest stars as Hurricane Smith, Don Pedro Colley guest stars as Big Bronson.

This Mouth Is Rated X

25. This Mouth Is Rated X

30min

29th Mar 1970

Chet is unsure how to handle one of his basketball players who is constantly letting profanities slip out of his mouth.

Really Cool

26. Really Cool

30min

5th Apr 1970

Chet is asked to tell a few stories about his life for a forthcoming article in the Holmes High School newspaper.

First air date

14th Sep 1969

Last air date

21st Mar 1971

Status

Ended

Type

Scripted

Original language

en

Networks