The Bill Cosby Show poster
    TV Series

    The Bill Cosby Show

    5.5/10
    1969 - 1971
    30m/ep
    Ended
    Seasons: 2
    Episodes: 52

    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.

    Created by: Bill Cosby
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    Seasons & Episodes

    1. The Fatal Phone Call

    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.

    9/14/196930 min

    2. Lullaby and Goodnight

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

    9/21/196930 min

    3. The Best Hook Shot in the World

    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.

    9/28/196930 min

    4. A Girl Named Punkin

    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.

    10/5/196930 min

    5. Rules is Rules

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

    10/12/196930 min

    6. Let X Equal a Lousy Weekend

    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.

    10/26/196930 min

    7. To Kincaid, with Love

    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.

    11/2/196930 min

    8. The Killer Instinct

    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.

    11/9/196930 min

    9. The Substitute

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

    11/16/196930 min

    10. Brotherly Love

    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.

    11/23/196930 min

    11. Going the Route

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

    11/30/196930 min

    12. A Word from Our Sponsor

    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.

    12/7/196930 min

    13. A Christmas Ballad

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

    12/21/196930 min

    14. Home Remedy

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

    12/28/196930 min

    15. Growing Growing Grown

    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.

    1/4/197030 min

    16. The Elevator Doesn't Stop Here Anymore

    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.

    1/11/197030 min

    17. Lover's Quarrel

    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.

    1/18/197030 min

    18. The Worst Crook That Ever Lived

    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.

    1/25/197030 min

    19. The Gumball Incident

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

    2/1/197030 min

    20. Goodbye Cruel World

    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.

    2/8/197030 min

    21. Driven to Distraction

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

    2/15/197030 min

    22. The Blind Date

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

    3/1/197030 min

    23. How You Play the Game

    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.

    3/8/197030 min

    24. The Return of Big, Bad, Bubba Bronson

    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.

    3/22/197030 min

    25. This Mouth Is Rated X

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

    3/29/197030 min

    26. Really Cool

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

    4/5/197030 min

    Cast