September 14, 1969 (1969-09-14) – March 21, 1971 (1971-03-21)
The Bill Cosby Show is an American sitcom television series 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 their own eponymous comedy series.
Cosby played the role of Chet Kincaid, a physical education teacher at a Los Angeles high school, a bachelor, and an "average cool guy" trying to earn a living and help people out along the way. The show ran for two seasons, 52 episodes in all. While only a modest critical success, the series was nominated for two Primetime Emmys.[1]
The Bill Cosby Show was a ratings hit, finishing eleventh in its first season.[2] With the high school as the setting of most episodes, storylines involve life lessons, students and fellow teachers, family drama, a coach's purview, and a few challenging forays, such as a substitute teacher of algebra or English.
Cosby was lauded for having classic African American performers appear, such as Lillian Randolph (as Kincaid's mother) and Rex Ingram. Well-known stars who rarely did television appeared as well, including Henry Fonda and veteran comedians Mantan Moreland and Moms Mabley as Kincaid's feuding uncle and aunt.
The show's brass-heavy, funky theme song, "Hikky Burr", was written by Cosby and Quincy Jones, with Cosby providing the vocals.[3] A new version of the theme was recorded for the second season.
The show did not use a laugh track; in that regard it was unique among half-hour situation comedies at the time.[4] Cosby and NBC were at odds over his refusal to include a laugh track in the show.[5] Cosby felt that viewers were intelligent enough to find the humor themselves, without being prompted.
While a few comedy dramas already aired without laugh tracks, few sitcoms went without,[6] with most sitcoms filmed before a studio audience.[4] The handful of non-drama sitcoms without a laugh track or studio audience prior to this included The Trouble with Father and The Beulah Show.
Episodes
Season 1 (1969–70)
No. overall
No. in season
Title
Directed by
Written by
Original air date
1
1
"The Fatal Phone Call"
Harvey Hart
Dave Evans
September 14, 1969 (1969-09-14)
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. Guest star: Vic Tayback as Calvin the mechanic. Series Premiere
2
2
"Lullaby and Goodnight"
Tyler Barnes Grady
Ed. Weinberger
September 21, 1969 (1969-09-21)
Chet is having difficulty sleeping at night, due to the new neighbour across the street whose dog won't stop barking.
3
3
"The Best Hook Shot in the World"
Harvey Hart
Ed. Weinberger
September 28, 1969 (1969-09-28)
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.
4
4
"A Girl Named Punkin"
Seymour Robbie
Lou Shaw, Ed. Weinberger
October 5, 1969 (1969-10-05)
Chet does volunteer work for the local community center, a place for underprivileged 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.
5
5
"Rules Is Rules"
Jay Sandrich
John C. Lamonte
October 12, 1969 (1969-10-12)
Chet goes to great lengths to obtain a valve needle which he needs in order to inflate basketballs for his gym class.
6
6
"Let X Equal a Lousy Weekend"
Jay Sandrich
Michael Elias, Frank Shaw
October 26, 1969 (1969-10-26)
Chet is asked to be substitute teacher in an algebra class. Chet and the students have a difficult time arriving at the answer for one particular problem involving candy being sold at varying amounts per pound. Chet spends the weekend trying to solve the problem, he even visits a candy store to try to purchase the correct amounts of candy.
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.
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.
9
9
"The Substitute"
Jay Sandrich
Ed. Weinberger
November 16, 1969 (1969-11-16)
Chet starts dating a substitute teacher from the high school, and has difficulty finding time to spend alone with her.
10
10
"Brotherly Love"
Ralph Senensky
Ed. Weinberger
November 23, 1969 (1969-11-23)
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
11
"Going the Route"
Lee Philips
Dee Caruso, Gerald Gardner
November 30, 1969 (1969-11-30)
Chet's nephew is in bed with a cold. Chet is asked and agrees to substitute for his nephew in the morning paper route.
12
12
"A Word from Our Sponsor"
Sid McCoy
Marvin Kaplan
December 7, 1969 (1969-12-07)
Chet does a television commercial for a morning breakfast cereal, with disastrous results. Classic episode. Guest Stars: Alan Oppenheimer; Mike Farrell also makes a brief cameo appearance.
13
13
"A Christmas Ballad"
Ralph Senensky
Milton R.F. Brown
December 21, 1969 (1969-12-21)
Chet helps a down on his luck old timer capture the spirit of Christmas. Guest star: Rex Ingram (in his final role)
14
14
"Home Remedy"
Richard Kinon
Ed. Weinberger
December 28, 1969 (1969-12-28)
Chet is home with a cold, and is unable to rest because all his relatives come over offering their cure alls and remedies.
15
15
"Growing Growing Grown"
Ralph Senensky
Gail Parent, Kenny Solms
January 4, 1970 (1970-01-04)
Chet is asked to chaperone at a high school dance. Chet's car is not available, so he ends up borrowing his brother's garbage truck to drive his date to the dance. At the dance, Chet teaches one student a lesson in the importance of physical appearance.
16
16
"The Elevator Doesn't Stop Here Anymore"
Coby Ruskin
Stan Daniels
January 11, 1970 (1970-01-11)
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. Guest stars: Henry Fonda as a faculty member, Elsa Lanchester as the school's cleaning lady.
17
17
"Lover's Quarrel"
Coby Ruskin
Milton R.F. Brown (uncredited), Ed. Weinberger
January 18, 1970 (1970-01-18)
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 as the bickering old couple.
18
18
"The Worst Crook That Ever Lived"
Jay Sandrich
Steven Pritzker, Ed. Weinberger
January 25, 1970 (1970-01-25)
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 realises what he did was wrong and returns the money to Chet.
19
19
"The Gumball Incident"
Jay Sandrich
Alan J. Levitt
February 1, 1970 (1970-02-01)
Chet is wrongfully accused and arrested for breaking a gumball machine. Guest star: Tom Bosley as Cookie Maharg.
20
20
"Goodbye Cruel World"
Stanley Z. Cherry
Ed. Weinberger
February 8, 1970 (1970-02-08)
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.
21
21
"Driven to Distraction"
Coby Ruskin
Betty Bonaduce, Joseph Bonaduce
February 15, 1970 (1970-02-15)
Drivers ed instructor Chet tries to teach a nervous student how to drive.
22
22
"The Blind Date"
Ralph Senensky
Warren S. Murray
March 1, 1970 (1970-03-01)
Chet reluctantly agrees to go on a blind date, and ends up falling in love. Guest star: Cicely Tyson as Chet's love interest.
23
23
"How You Play the Game"
Coby Ruskin
Ed. Weinberger
March 8, 1970 (1970-03-08)
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.
24
24
"The Return of Big, Bad, Bubba Bronson"
Bill Cosby
Rick Mittleman
March 22, 1970 (1970-03-22)
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. Guest Stars: Lou Gossett as Hurricane Smith, Don Pedro Colley as Big Bronson.
25
25
"This Mouth Is Rated X"
R. Robert Rosenbaum
Milton R.F. Brown (uncredited), Martin Ragaway, Ed. Weinberger
March 29, 1970 (1970-03-29)
Chet is having problems with a player on the high school basketball team who uses profane language on the court during games.
26
26
"Really Cool"
Melvin Van Peebles
Bill Cosby, Milton R.F. Brown (uncredited), Ed. Weinberger
April 5, 1970 (1970-04-05)
Chet is asked to tell a few stories about his life for a forthcoming article in the Holmes High School newspaper.
Season 2 (1970–71)
No. overall
No. in season
Title
Directed by
Written by
Original air date
27
1
"Anytime You're Ready, C.K."
Coby Ruskin
Ed. Weinberger
September 13, 1970 (1970-09-13)
The Holmes High School football team is on a losing streak, so the team asks Chet if they can have game films to help determine what they're doing wrong. Chet borrows a movie camera from a friend, and films the team's practice sessions. Funny silent films result from Chet's experiments with trying out the camera. A side plot has Chet trying to help out a student and former player of the football team who can no longer play due to injury.
28
2
"Open House"
Jay Sandrich
Roland Wolpert
September 20, 1970 (1970-09-20)
One of Chet's fellow teachers from the high school is a part time real estate agent. Chet spends a weekend helping him out, trying to sell a house. Chet sells the house, but the couple who put the house up for sale change their mind.
29
3
"Is There a Doctor in the Hospital?"
Coby Ruskin
Ed. Weinberger
September 27, 1970 (1970-09-27)
Chet injures his back during his gym class, and needs to be taken to the hospital. Upon arrival, he has difficulty trying to obtain medical service, until a young patient staying at the hospital assists Chet and helps him find a doctor.
30
4
"There Must Be a Party"
Jay Sandrich
Gary Belkin
October 4, 1970 (1970-10-04)
A female student at the high school is convinced she is destined to be an actress and is certain she will win an acting contest she has entered. Chet then tells her about the time he missed his own surprise birthday party to try to teach her a lesson about anticipation and being overconfident.
31
5
"The Old Man of 4-C"
Jay Sandrich
Ernest Kinoy
October 11, 1970 (1970-10-11)
Will Geer guest stars in this episode as a lonesome elderly man looking for companionship. He befriends Chet, and becomes too demanding of Chet's time, but they end up compromising and spend some quality time together.
32
6
"The Lincoln Letter"
Sid McCoy
Martin Ragaway
October 18, 1970 (1970-10-18)
Chet inherits a valuable letter which originally came from Abraham Lincoln. Only catch, the letter is misplaced and needs to be found.
33
7
"The Runaways"
Bill Cosby
Dorothy Cooper
October 25, 1970 (1970-10-25)
Chet is sent out to track down and find a runaway boy. He succeeds, and they spend the day together. After sharing a few adventures, Chet helps the boy decide he should go back home.
34
8
"The Artist"
Ivan Dixon
Dorothy Cooper
November 1, 1970 (1970-11-01)
Chet helps out a talented youngster who wants to become an artist. Chet disputes however, when the youngster chooses Chet as subject matter for his painting which will be on display at the art fair.
35
9
"March of the Antelopes"
Coby Ruskin
Michael Elias, Frank Shaw
November 8, 1970 (1970-11-08)
Chet is in charge of a group of youngsters and is supposed to take them on an overnight camping trip. They set out to their destination, but mishaps occur, and they end up staying over at Chet's apartment.
36
10
"The Deluge: Part 1"
Coby Ruskin
Stanley R. Greenberg
November 15, 1970 (1970-11-15)
A driving rainstorm is pounding the Los Angeles area. Chet's next door neighbor is due to have her baby and is unable to get to the hospital, streets are flooded. Chet helps out as the woman prepares to have her baby at home. Part one of a two part episode.
37
11
"The Deluge: Part 2"
Coby Ruskin
Stanley R. Greenberg
November 22, 1970 (1970-11-22)
Conclusion of a two part episode. Chet helps an expectant mother deliver her baby at home during a driving rainstorm.
38
12
"Swann's Way"
Jay Sandrich
Ed. Weinberger
December 13, 1970 (1970-12-13)
Don Knotts guest stars in this episode as a shifty repossessor who's trying to repossess Chet's television set.
39
13
"The Poet"
Ivan Dixon
Art Wallace
December 20, 1970 (1970-12-20)
A male student at the high school enjoys writing poetry, but doesn't want his friends to find out, fearing ridicule. Chet (who has also written some poetry) tells the student he shouldn't be concerned with what other people think, to go ahead and do what he enjoys doing. Chet then gets in a bind when he is mistaken as the author of a poem he copied in his youth, and the poem is scheduled to be published in the school newspaper.
40
14
"Teacher of the Year"
Coby Ruskin
Martin Ragaway
December 27, 1970 (1970-12-27)
Upon winning the award for Teacher of the Year, Chet has a difficult time convincing the other teachers to attend the banquet where he will receive the award.
41
15
"Each According to His Appetite"
Jay Sandrich
Robert Garland
January 3, 1971 (1971-01-03)
Students at the high school organize a lockout of the teachers cafeteria, requesting that they have input over what foods go on the student menu. Chet helps the students and cafeteria manager reach a compromise. But when the same students have a grievance with Chet's gym class, Chet is not as willing to cooperate.
42
16
"Viva Ortega"
Luther James
Sandy Baron, Treva Silverman, Oliver Wolcott
January 10, 1971 (1971-01-10)
Chet tutors a Mexican immigrant who is studying to become a United States citizen.
43
17
"Miraculous Martin"
Coby Ruskin
Robert Garland
January 17, 1971 (1971-01-17)
Dick Van Dyke guest stars in this episode as Miraculous Martin, an out of work magician who's trying to stay sober and planning to get married.
44
18
"The Sesame Street Rumble"
Bill Cosby
Ed. Weinberger
January 24, 1971 (1971-01-24)
Chet has a large television antenna installed so he can watch the big Rams/Packers football game. Many teachers from the high school come over to see the game, but Chet's television set goes out. Chet goes to his sister's and brother in law's place to try to borrow their television set, but Chet's little nephew Davey refuses to let him borrow it, insisting that he wants to watch Sesame Street. Bill Russell guest stars as one of the teachers.
45
19
"The Generation Gap"
Jay Sandrich
Art Wallace
January 31, 1971 (1971-01-31)
Chet's mother is going out of town, so Chet's father comes to stay with him while she is away. As they spend time together, they discover that things have changed and they don't have as much in common anymore.
Chet aids a fellow teacher from the high school who's trying to quit smoking. Herb Edelman guest stars as Mr. Maher, the teacher who's trying to kick the habit.
47
21
"A Dirty Business"
Coby Ruskin
John D.F. Black
February 14, 1971 (1971-02-14)
Chet is at odds with a student at the high school who wants to be a spy. Because the student is a fast runner, Chet wants him to join up with the school's track team. But the student wants no part of it, preferring to remain out of the spotlight.
48
22
"The Barber Shop"
Coby Ruskin
Michael Elias, Frank Shaw
February 21, 1971 (1971-02-21)
Chet visits the local barber shop for a haircut. While there, he gets involved in a dispute with the barber and another patron over baseball. The three of them end up going to a high rise hotel, where the barber claims he can catch a baseball dropped from a window of the hotel's top floor. Guest Star: Antonio Fargas as J.J. the barber, Isabel Sanford and Arthur French.
49
23
"The Power of a Tree"
Ivan Dixon
Michael Elias, Frank Shaw
February 28, 1971 (1971-02-28)
Elsa Lanchester guest stars as an eccentric woman who recruits Chet to help save a tree from being cut down at a construction site.
50
24
"The Green-Eyed Monster"
Coby Ruskin
Michael Elias, Frank Shaw
March 7, 1971 (1971-03-07)
A male student from the high school seeks Chet's advice regarding love and jealousy. As it turns out, Chet could use a lesson or two himself and does not seem to practice what he preaches. Kim Weston guest stars, and cast includes DeWayne Jessie (Otis Day).
51
25
"The Long Road Back"
Coby Ruskin
Art Wallace
March 14, 1971 (1971-03-14)
John Marley guest stars in this episode as a wealthy, eccentric man who wants to relive his childhood. He seeks Chet's help to have his wish come true.
52
26
"The Saturday Game"
Allan Sherman
Art Wallace
March 21, 1971 (1971-03-21)
A young Jewish boy joins Chet's little league baseball team. Saturday is the day of the big game, and the boy is forced to decide between playing in the game, or sitting out due to his religious beliefs, Saturday being the Jewish sabbath. Series Finale
Syndication
In September 1984, Cosby returned to NBC, with a similarly named sitcom titled The Cosby Show. The popularity of that sitcom led to reruns of this one being picked up on the CBN Cable Network.[citation needed]
^Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle (2007). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows 1946-Present (Ninth ed.). New York: Ballantine Books. p. 1685. ISBN978-0-345-49773-4.
