The Bill Cosby Show

1969 - 1971

The Fatal Phone Call

14th September 1969

Episode 1

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. Vic Tayback guest stars as Calvin the mechanic.

Lullaby and Goodnight

21st September 1969

Episode 2

Chet is having difficulty sleeping at night, due to the new neighbor across the street who's dog won't stop barking.

The Best Hook Shot in the World

28th September 1969

Episode 3

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.

A Girl Named Punkin

5th October 1969

Episode 4

Chet does volunteer work for the local community center, a place for underpriviledged 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.

Rules is Rules

12th October 1969

Episode 5

Chet goes to great lengths to obtain a valve needle which he needs in order to inflate basketballs for his gym class.

Let X Equal a Lousy Weekend

26th October 1969

Episode 6

When Chet is forced to fill in as a substitute algebra teacher, he comes across a word problem that he is unable to solve for the class. So, he spends most of his weekend trying to find the solution.

To Kincaid, with Love

2nd November 1969

Episode 7

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.

The Killer Instinct

9th November 1969

Episode 8

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.

The Substitute

16th November 1969

Episode 9

Chet starts dating a substitute teacher from the high school, and has difficulty finding time to spend alone with her.

Brotherly Love

23rd November 1969

Episode 10

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.

Going the Route

30th November 1969

Episode 11

Chet's nephew is in bed with a cold. Chet is asked and agrees to substitute for his nephew in the morning paper route.

A Word from Our Sponsor

7th December 1969

Episode 12

A chance encounter on the street leads Chet to try out, and eventually to get hired, for a job playing an athletic coach in a breakfast cereal television commercial. Chet discovers, however, that shooting 30 seconds of film isn't as simple as it appears when the final product is seen on television.

A Christmas Ballad

21st December 1969

Episode 13

Chet helps a down on his luck old timer capture the spirit of Christmas. Rex Ingram guest stars.

Home Remedy

28th December 1969

Episode 14

Chet is home with a cold, and is unable to rest because all his relatives come over offering their cure-alls and remedies.

Growing Growing Grown

4th January 1970

Episode 15

Chet is asked to chaperone at a high school dance. Chet's car is not available, he ends up borrowing his brothers garbage truck to drive his date to the dance. At the dance, Chet teaches one student a lesson in the importance of physical appearance.

The Elevator Doesn't Stop Here Anymore

11th January 1970

Episode 16

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. Henry Fonda and Elsa Lanchester guest star in this episode.

Lover's Quarrel

18th January 1970

Episode 17

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 and give classic performances as the bickering old couple.

The Worst Crook That Ever Lived

25th January 1970

Episode 18

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 realizes what he did was wrong and returns the money to Chet.

The Gumball Incident

1st February 1970

Episode 19

Chet is wrongfully accused and arrested for breaking a gumball machine. Tom Bosley guest stars as Cookie Maharg.

Goodbye Cruel World

8th February 1970

Episode 20

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.

Driven to Distraction

15th February 1970

Episode 21

Drivers ed instructor Chet tries to teach a nervous student how to drive. Very funny episode.

The Blind Date

Episode 22

Chet reluctantly agrees to go on a blind date, and ends up falling in love. Cicely Tyson guest stars as Chet's love interest.

How You Play the Game

Episode 23

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.

The Return of Big, Bad, Bubba Bronson

22nd March 1970

Episode 24

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. Lou Gossett guest stars as Hurricane Smith, Don Pedro Colley guest stars as Big Bronson.

This Mouth Is Rated X

29th March 1970

Episode 25

Chet is unsure how to handle one of his basketball players who is constantly letting profanities slip out of his mouth.

Really Cool

Episode 26

Chet is asked to tell a few stories about his life for a forthcoming article in the Holmes High School newspaper.

Top Cast

The Bill Cosby Show is an American situation comedy 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 his or her own eponymous comedy series.

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