The Bill Cosby Show

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NBC (ended 1971)
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Show Summary

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The Bill Cosby Show aired for two seasons on NBC, 1969-70 and 1970-71. There were 52 episodes made in the series. In this lighthearted comedy, Bill Cosby played the role of Chet Kincaid, physical education teacher at a Los Angeles high school. The Chet Kincaid character was a bachelor, an average cool guy trying to earn a living, and help people out along the way. Many of the episodes involved Chet in various situations at the high school with his students and fellow teachers. In some episodes, Chet was asked to substitute, and fill in as algebra or english teacher. In one hilarious episode, Chet was the drivers ed instructor trying to teach a nervous student how to drive. Other episodes involved younger children, and some episodes involved family and adult characters. Different guest stars also appeared in various episodes thruout the series. The shows theme song- "Hikky Burr" was written by Bill Cosby and Quincy Jones with Cosby providing the vocals. The lyrics were hard to comprehend, but the song had a groovy tune and funky beat. For the second season, a more uptempo and jazzy version of the song was used. The show was entertaining, and did not use a laugh track, which is unique. The Bill Cosby Show was not your average, laugh-out-loud type of sitcom. The episodes were humorous, but the show emphasized warmth, intelligent character studies and plausible, real life situations. The plot of many episodes centered around a lesson in life learned, which was explained in the classic Cosby style.moreless
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Episode Guide

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S 2 :  Ep 26 Aired 3/21/71
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S 2 :  Ep 25 Aired 3/14/71
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S 2 :  Ep 24 Aired 3/7/71
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S 2 :  Ep 23 Aired 2/28/71
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S 2 :  Ep 22 Aired 2/21/71
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Fan Reviews (4)

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  • Excellent show, which was before its time. The director did a great job, ... and the audience, I am sure, will still be amazed by the characters, story-lines, and overall impression it leaves.moreless

    9.5
    "Superb"
    By EndTides, Apr 21, 2010
    I loved this show, and only recently was 'caught up' watching it. Checking it out, I would say, it was very good, ... with Bill Cosby very cool, and amazing person. You can tell his genius is there, ... even back in the late 1960's. Watch this if you want to learn something! In my view, the people who might watch this will learn about science, good ethics & skills, and how people lived and behaved, --- nothing too unusual, back in the late 60's. I thought about buying the entire series, ... and will do so when I have a chance to go through all 50+ episodes that were produced.

    ENDLESSTIDE@MSN.COMmoreless

  • A most under appreciated gem of a series!

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By JonJax, Jun 27, 2009
    After the cancellation of "I Spy" Bill Cosby formed his own production company, "Jemmin Inc." which like the show's theme song lyrics were inspired by Cosby's grandfather tendency to mumble nonsensical words. The series reflected Bill Cosby's philosophy, intelligence, humour, uplifting, equality, positive imagery and minimal racial references. As Coach Chet Kincaid at a racially diverse high school set in South-Central Los Angeles Bill Cosby was able to both entertain and educate, a landmark concept for 1969.

    Sadly, the series was doomed for cancellation because of Bill's adamant refusal to add a laugh track and the network's insistence that he do. I happen to agree with Cos, laugh tracks are not necessary because viewers do not need to be prompted when to laugh. Can you imagine hearing a laugh track for a comedy film?

    Another asset of this splendid series is the use of obscure African American actors throughout its run, legends like Jackie "Moms" Mabley, Jimmy Witherspoon, Rex Ingram and Roy Glenn. The show also featured future mega stars like Cicely Tyson and Louis Gosset Jr. in guest roles.

    At a time when most of the United States was still not accustomed to seeing Black actors in positive roles, The Bill Cosby Show ranks with "I Spy", "Mission Impossible" and "Julia" as the most ground breaking series of the 1960s before the explosion of situation comedies featuring African Americans in the 1970s.moreless

  • The family to end all families. These people really pulled off their characters.

    8.6
    "Great"
    By hamyslick, Mar 07, 2007
    Bill Cosby is a genius. He created a sitcom that not only broke racial barriers, but also appealed to everyone. The children were encouraged to have ambition and to be all they could be. The rules were tight but everyone in the house was tought the value of family and they really seem to enjoy each other. And how about that Mrs. H. She was a lawyer who spent the most time eith her kids of any paent on television. Another odd part was they were always getting freaky. Anytime they had the chance, they were shaggin. This was and still is a model family.moreless

  • A Great show even though i haven't seen it I know it would be good because Bill Cosby is in it and so many other good actors

    10
    "Perfect"
    By Nick1323, Dec 16, 2006
    The Bill Cosby show is about Bill Cosby playing the role of Chet Kincaid, a physical education teacher at a Los Angeles high school. The Chet Kincaid character was a bachelor, an average cool guy trying to earn a living, and help people out along the way. Many of the episodes involved Chet in various situations at the high school with his students and fellow teachers. In some episodes, Chet was asked to substitute, and fill in as algebra or english teacher. In one hilarious episode, Chet was the drivers ed instructor trying to teach a nervous student how to drive. In other episodes he is involved with younger children, and some episodes involve family and adult characters. Different guest stars also appeared in various episodes throught the series.moreless
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  • I am supposed to be the editor
    I was editor for The Bill Cosby Show until TV.com's hostile takeover of TV Tome. I am the one who provided the show summary and sy...
    By lecagr, Jun 19, 2007
    06/19/07
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  • Season two news
    Shout Factory is said to be working on season two, hopefully the DVD's will be available sometime during summer 2007.
    By lecagr, Jan 09, 2007
    06/06/07
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  • Bill Cosby Show to be released on DVD!
    Yes, at long last The Bill Cosby Show is slated to be issued on DVD. Season one is scheduled for release in June 2006. Info can be...
    By lecagr, Feb 01, 2006
    07/13/06
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cool parents, dysfuntional families, ensemble cast, for the aarp crowd, for the nostalgic

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