The Cosby Show

Season 4

TV-PG

78%

"The Cosby Show" centers on the lives of the Huxtables: obstetrician Cliff and his lawyer wife Claire, their daughters Sondra, Denise, Vanessa and Rudy, and son Theo. Based on the standup comedy of Bill Cosby, the show focused on his observations of family life. Although based on comedy, the series also addresses some more serious topics, such as learning disabilities and teen pregnancy.

Where to Watch Season 4

Amazon VideoBuy $36.29

23 Episodes

Call of the Wild
E1
Call of the WildThe newlywed Sondra and Elvin return from their honeymoon with shocking news for Cliff and Clair: they want to abandon their dreams of being a lawyer and doctor and open an outdoorsman's "wilderness store." Geoffrey Owens (Elvin) becoms a regular cast member.
Theogate
E2
TheogateTheo 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.
It's Not Easy Being Green
E3
It's Not Easy Being GreenRudy wants to wear summer clothes in winter to a party, while Cliff tries to get rid of an old water heater.
Cliff's Mistake
E4
Cliff's MistakeWhile setting up the house as a "haunted house" for Halloween, Cliff discover's he's lost a power drill that his neighbor loaned to him. First appearance of Wallace Shawn as Jeffrey Ingalls.
Shakespeare
E5
ShakespeareChristopher Plummer and Roscoe Lee Browne appear. Theo must read Julius Caesar for school, but complains that it is boring. Russel and his friends read scenes from the play aloud, and Theo is enthralled. Later, the men read from a different work of literature-a story Rudy wrote!
That's Not What I Said
E6
That's Not What I SaidCliff and Clair have a marital argument after Theo gets detained by police for riding in a car with an unlicensed driver.
Autumn Gifts
E7
Autumn GiftsRudy goes to an older widowed lady's house each afternoon to have tea and play cards, but notices that she refuses to take her daily medication for diabetes. She tells Cliff, who devises a plan to try to convince her that she needs the meds to live. Eileen Heckart appearance. Keshia Knight Pulliam appears on the episode of A Different World which airs later that evening.
Looking Back
E8
Looking BackSondra & Elvin have their first marital spat, but it is Elvin who runs home to the parents - Sondra's parents! As Elvin gives his side of the story, flashbacks are shown about Sondra's different boyfriends and their first meeting of Elvin.
Where's Rudy?
E9
Where's Rudy?The Huxtables head to the mall where Clair enters her garden squash in a contest. Theo and Vanessa are in charge of watching Rudy but they lose track of her. Rudy meets a girl her age and they play together.
Dance Mania
E10
Dance ManiaTheo and Cockroach have tickets to appear on television on the dance show "Dance Mania", but are told that only one of them can enter the studio during the filming because of fire laws. Theo miscalculates by offering to let Cockroach go in (thinking he'll refuse) and gets angry when Cockroach takes him up on the offer.
The Locker Room
E11
The Locker RoomTheo and his classmates brag about their dates with girls in the locker room, but Theo's mood changes when one of the guys goes out with Vanessa and brags about it the next day. Troy Winbush as Denny. Adam Sandler as Smitty.
The Show Must Go On
E12
The Show Must Go OnVaudeville is shown to Rudy and her friends, who are unimpressed.
Bookworm
E13
BookwormClair drags Cliff to her book club meeting, and he's the lone male there. Much to Clair's surprise, Cliff knows quite a bit about the book in question! Meanwhile, the kids attempt a sleepover at Sondra and Elvin's run-down studio apartment, but are overwhelmed by the noise and lack of utilities. Appearances by Angela Bassett and S. Epatha Merkerson.
Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
E14
Twinkle, Twinkle Little StarTheo works on his psychic abilities but does not have much success. Rudy thinks her teacher hates her and tells her parents her problems. One of which is a music recital where she has to play the violin instead of a more fun instrument.
The Visit
E15
The VisitTheo visits a friend in the hospital who has cancer. Troy Winbush as Denny. Adam Sandler as Smitty. Special appearance by Armand Hammer.
The Drum Major
E16
The Drum MajorVanessa tries out for the drum major at school. Theo playfully mocks her efforts, but learns from friends that Vanessa is the target of sexism and intervenes on her behalf. Meanwhile, Cliff cooks up a batch of extremely spicy chili as Russell tries to pay off a loan from an old friend. Deon Richmond as Kenny. Troy Winbush as Denny. Guest appearance by Dub Taylor.
Waterworks
E17
WaterworksOne tile falls from the bathroom wall, and as Cliff tries to repair it, the problem gets bigger. Clair asks friends of Sondra & Elvin to repair it before Cliff destroys the house when he tries to repair it.
Once Upon a Time
E18
Once Upon a TimeRudy writes a fairy tale, and the colorful story is acted out in her fantasy. Members of the family play the roles of a village full of happy people and a mean group that ruins their fun. At the end of the episode, Rudy declares that when she becomes "president of the world", she will put a stop to all mean people. Cliff and Clair proceed to watch news reports of weapons' testing and bombings, and urge her to "hurry, because we need you right now." Earle Hyman as Russell.
Petanque
E19
PetanqueCliff and a friend play pétanque. First appearance of Sullivan Walker as Dr. James Harmon.
Trust Me
E20
Trust MeCliff has worked straight for 22 days, so he takes a day off. While he rests at home, Theo, Vanessa, and Rudy try to stump each other with constant riddles. Clair's friend has marital problems and asks Clair for advice.
Home for the Weekend
E21
Home for the WeekendDenise comes home from college, but seems to have more time for her friends than for the family.
The Prom
E22
The PromTheo, Denny and Smitty go to great lengths to impress their dates for the senior prom but fail disastrously; Cliff and Clair relive their own prom. Troy Winbush as Denny. Adam Sandler as Smitty. First appearance of Michelle Thomas as Justine. Phylicia Rashād appears on the episode of A Different World which airs later that evening.
Gone Fishin'
E23
Gone Fishin'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.