The Cosby Show

A Shirt Story

Season 1, Episode 5, Aired 10/18/84

Episode Summary

Cliff forces Theo to return an expensive designer shirt, so Theo agrees to let Denise try to make a copy of the pricey duds.

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Cast & Crew

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Lisa Bonet

Denise Huxtable
Bill Cosby

Dr. Heathcliff "Cliff" Huxtable
Keshia Knight Pulliam

Rudy Huxtable

Fan Episode Reviews (1)

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You can tell a lot about a man by the clothes he wears -- then again, maybe not.

10

"Perfect"

By LainiTiye, Jul 09, 2006 Report Abuse

The Shirt Story was a fabulous episode. Even now each time I see it I laugh just like the first time. It's classic. Everyone can relate to high priced products bearing the name of some fancy designer and the millions of kids that want them. It was funny to watch how Cliff and Clair even though you know they could have afforded it, wanted Theo to stay grounded and realize that $95 is absolutely too much to pay for one shirt that is to be warn by a high school student.

And it only got better once Denise offered her assistance to make an exact replica. Her design was anything but a Gordon Gartelle, and that alone was outrageous.
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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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Trivia
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- During the second-to-last scene, Cliff reminds Theo about Theo giving Cliff a big yellow tie that lights up for Father's Day. This tie would surface during the episode "Father's Day". Edit
- Goof: When asked about the $95 Theo said that if he lived to be 90 years old that would be like a dollar a day. On this episode Theo is 14 years old as stated by Cliff. If Theo wanted to equate his age to the value of the shirt he would need to live to 109 years old. Edit
Notes
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- Gordon Gartrell is also the name of a Canadian band. Edit
- Kadeem Hardison starred as Dwayne Wayne on the spin-off A Different World. Edit
- Gordon Gartrelle was a writer and producer on the series. Edit
Quotes
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- Cliff: It's a one of a kind original design. You make the shirt and burn the pattern. Edit
- Cliff (straight-faced, after laughing uncontrollably at Theo's shirt): That's a good looking shirt, man. Edit
- (Theo complaining about his shirt) Theo: Look at these sleeves! My arms are the same length, why aren't my sleeves? The collar's all crazy and it's ten sizes too big! Denise: Well, maybe if you tucked it in a little. Theo (through gritted teeth): It's tucked into my socks! Edit
Allusions
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- Episode Title: "A Shirt Story" This is a pun of the common literature category Short Story. Edit
- Cliff tells Theo that there is no way a fourteen year old should be wearing a shirt that cost 95 dollars unless he is on stage with his 4 brothers. He is talking about the popular 70's group Jackson 5 with Michael Jackson as a lead singer. Edit