Pilot

Season 1, Episode 1, Aired
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Episode Summary

Clair is furious when Theo brings home a report card with 4 D's. He tells Cliff that he has no intention of going to college, as he feels that he is destined to be a "regular person." Cliff uses Monopoly money to teach him about the economic realities that many blue-collar workers must face. He assures Theo that he only wants him to try his best. Cliff is alarmed to meet Denise's latest beau, a former merchant marine who once spent time in a Turkish prison.moreless
9.3
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Fan Episode Reviews (4)

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  • Loved the entire show....but there was room to be better

    9.3
    "Superb"
    By giggles9800, Apr 27, 2007 Report Abuse
    The house looks like the house from Gimme A Break....only thing that was confusing after watching again was why Claire asked why they had 4 children....LOVED IT!!!! I loved the talk that Cliff and Theo had. My room used to look like Theo's. I love how Theo throughout continued on with statements about Cliff & Claire's occupations and how it's sometimes hard for the kids to live up to their expectations. Did not like when they called Theo 'Teddy.' Denise's makeup was ridiculous....just like her outfit. I think that the Huxtable parents should have thought of a having a larger bed before inviting Rudy & Vanessa into bed with them.....Glad they kept the show on!moreless

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  • I have never laughed so hard

    10
    "Perfect"
    By angelegod2121, May 18, 2006 Report Abuse
    I love how in the begganing how Vanasa gives her older brother a hard time over his grads and the best part is on the way she dose it. She is giving away her brothers grades but at the same time hinting to her mom that she wants a dog. A little of topic but I have to ask why is it that little kids want a dog but any way the mom ashors her that Theo well end up with a better grade then the last time how ever he still ends up with Ds and he out smarts his dad by pointing out that he can make it on minum wage basiclymoreless

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  • The answer to why The Cosby Show was so successful is in this episode.

    9.5
    "Superb"
    By RCC2K5, Oct 31, 2005 Report Abuse
    This is probably the best pilot I've seen. Even though not all the details of the show weren't polished yet, the pilot was inviting enough to keep viewers motivated to keep watching.

    The scene were Theo talks to Cliff about him being a "regular person" is one of the best I've seen on a TV show. And after you hear what Cliff had to say to his son, you know what this show was going to be all about: a fun yet deep lesson on parenting.

    I've seen episodes from the eight seasons of The Cosby Show, and this one is still very close to the top of the list of the best ones.moreless

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  • Classic starter to a great show

    10
    "Perfect"
    By LainiTiye, Jul 15, 2005 Report Abuse
    The Cosby Show started with a bang and it was classic episodes such as this the pilot that put it to the top of its game.

    The pilot episode was a strong start to a successful show, and despite later obvious tweaks to the show (i.e. a different living room, 5 kids instead of four, and Theo no longer being called Teddy) the show never lost steam.

    The kids were cute, and the chaos in the initial episode is probably what kept the fans watching. I loved this episode, and still watch it repeatedly whenever it comes on in syndication.
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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

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    • Another thing Cliff forgot to deduct from Theo's "Monopoly" salary: utilities (power, water, etc.) for his apartment in Manhattan or New Jersey. Edit
    • One thing Cliff left out of Theo's "Expenses": gas and insurance for his car/motorbike. It is highly unlikely that $200 or $100 would cover a car/bike payment plus gas and insurance, even in 1984. Edit
    • When this show was originally pitched, the Huxtables were intended to be a blue collar family. Cliff was supposed to be a chauffeur and Clair was supposed to be a housewife, as she was in this episode. Edit

  • Notes

    ADD NOTES
    • Phylicia Rashad was credited as Phylicia Ayres-Allen for the first two seasons of the series. Edit
    • When they are all eating dinner Vanessa calls Theo Teddy which is the only time he is ever called that. Edit
    • When Cliff is talking to Denise's date, Clair comes down the stairs, mad at the kids and their bickering and she goes off yelling to them in Spanish something that translates to: "Don't tell me you won't because you will have to do it anyway!" Clair going off in Spanish when she got mad was intended to be a trait of her character. However, as the show gained shape this idea was discarded. Clair can be seen in later episodes speaking some Spanish, but only when talking to Hispanic characters ("Mr. Quiet") or when posing as a hispanic character on a hypothetical situation ("Particles in Motion"), but not because she gets mad. Edit

  • Quotes

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    • Clair: New rule in this house starting now! Nobody's to touch anybody anywhere with anything for the rest of their lives! Edit
    • Cliff: I love you son. Theo: Yeah Dad, I know. Cliff: Yeah, and maybe your mother loves you too. Edit
    • Vanessa: Dad, Denise pushed us out of the bathroom, so the soap's in Rudy's eyes and she wouldn't let me rinse out the shampoo like Mom said and now Rudy might be blinded for life! If she is, can we get a dog? Edit

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