The Cosby Show

                    There has not been a lot on television lately, in my opinion.  Yes, there are programs actually airing, but nothing is of interest to me.  Off the top of my head I can think of one show I currently make sure I watch every week.  The rest of the time I usually go through the channels and see what intrigues me.  Mostly what I have been turning to is a show I have loved and laughed with for a long time, The Cosby Show.            

               Dr. Heathcliff Huxtable (Bill Cosby), also known as Cliff, is a devoted husband and father.  His wife Clair (Phylicia Rashad) is an attorney and they have five children together.  Cliff loves his children, but in so many ways he cannot wait for all of them to move out so he can be alone with his wife.  At least one of the kids is always up to something, which drives Cliff crazy.  This is not to say Cliff is not usually up to something himself.  He is always masterminding some plan, even if it is just how to hide the junk food he is eating from his wife.

                The oldest child is Sondra (Sabrina Le Beauf).  At the beginning of the series Sondra is away at college.  When she does come home, she brings along her boyfriend, Elvin (Geoffrey Owens).  They are constantly fighting, mostly due to Elvin’s chauvinistic views.  Thankfully Elvin's ways do change and he becomes a great and caring character.

                Second is Denise (Lisa Bonet).  One never knows what unusual outfit or boyfriend is going to come through the door with her.  She tries going to college, but that does not work out.  Instead, Denise tries many different career avenues until deciding to go to work in Africa with a photographer.  When she returns, Denise has a big surprise for everyone.

                In the middle is Theo (Malcolm-Jamal Warner).  He is the only boy and is involved in most of the unusual situations that occur in the house.  Usually Theo’s best friend, Cockroach (Carl Anthony Payne II), is as well.  They do not do anything terrible.  It is just that the grand plans Theo and Cockroach decide upon are sometimes a little strange.

                After Theo comes Vanessa (Tempestt Bledsoe).  In the early seasons, Vanessa seems to struggle with who she is.  She frequently feels unheard and unnoticed.  As Vanessa gets older, these anxieties lessen.  She begins to create her own identity and strengths, including going off to college a year early.

                The youngest child is Rudy (Keshia Knight Pulliam).  She is sassy but at times gets frustrated with not being able to do what the older siblings can.  Being around people older than herself so often, Rudy has developed the ability to mimic them conversationally.  She grills her sisters' boyfriends and gets in fights with her best friend, Bud (Deon Richmond), over gender roles.

                No matter what the children become involved in, Cliff and Clair confront everything with understanding and humor.  They guide their children and question the choices the kids may make, but in a teaching sort of way, not dominating.  They operate on trust and the belief their children will do the right thing. 

                While the children do take up much of the show, there is plenty of time left over for the incredible relationship between Cliff and Clair.  Even though they have been married for years, they are absolutely wild about each other.  Cliff is especially crazy about his wife.  They both have their own careers and hold their own identities, which they value, but they are always happy to come back together again.  This is especially true when they can do it alone and without the children around.  Even though Cliff and Clair are a fictional couple, Mr. Cosby and Ms. Rashad play them so convincingly that this marriage becomes a relationship to greatly admire.

             Another wonderful thing about this show is the guest stars.  So many famous people have been on this show.   Many are music industry legends such as Stevie Wonder, Tito Puente, and Lena Horne.  Music is an important part of this show.  It is highly valued and many episodes have music as a featured subject.       

                Even though this show ended many years ago, I laugh all the way through the episodes. I do not care how many times I have watched the reruns, I still laugh. When people talk about classic TV shows that stand the test of time, The Cosby Show should always be mentioned.