The Jeffersons
Good Times
Sanford and Son



I think not. TCS will never been on the same level as these great classic comedies of the 70's. Cliff Huxtable will never be remembered like George Jefferson, Fred Sanford, and James Evans.

Originally posted by TVShow Analyzer
The Jeffersons
Good Times
Sanford and Son



I think not. TCS will never been on the same level as these great classic comedies of the 70's. Cliff Huxtable will never be remembered like George Jefferson, Fred Sanford, and James Evans.

I certainly don't think that The Cosby Show is as entertaining to me.

But don't forget that it is a "family show" and the laughs and stories aren't geared toward the same audience.

TCS is a classic and will always be a classic.

And, yes, it's a "family show." No pretensions. Just feel-good humor.

I would say so.
Actually, no.

They're not on the same level.... The Cosby Show is higher.
Just take a look at that Yahoo TV Dads poll.... Cliff Huxtable is remembered better than George Jefferson, Fred Sanford, and James Evans COMBINED.

I like all 4 shows.... but like dlemond said, The Cosby Show appeals to the whole family, while none of the other 3 are for everybody.

Originally posted by barwars

They're not on the same level.... The Cosby Show is higher.
Just take a look at that Yahoo TV Dads poll.... Cliff Huxtable is remembered better than George Jefferson, Fred Sanford, and James Evans COMBINED.

I like all 4 shows

I agree with that. Cliff Huxtable is definitely a character that will be remembered. Alot of what Bill Cosby is known for is family humor, even before the Cosby Show came along, so his character is just an extension of Bill Cosby himself, and people will probably always think of Cliff Huxtable when thinking of (Black / father) sitcom characters, more so than the other three.

Originally posted by barwars
I would say so.
Actually, no.

They're not on the same level.... The Cosby Show is higher.
Just take a look at that Yahoo TV Dads poll.... Cliff Huxtable is remembered better than George Jefferson, Fred Sanford, and James Evans COMBINED.

I like all 4 shows.... but like dlemond said, The Cosby Show appeals to the whole family, while none of the other 3 are for everybody.



HIGHER????????, ARE you kiddin me? You Got to be kiddin me?

Originally posted by barwars
The Cosby Show appeals to the whole family
Funny...everyone in my house hates The Cosby Show's guts.

Originally posted by barwars
I would say so.
Actually, no.

They're not on the same level.... The Cosby Show is higher.
Just take a look at that Yahoo TV Dads poll.... Cliff Huxtable is remembered better than George Jefferson, Fred Sanford, and James Evans COMBINED.

I like all 4 shows.... but like dlemond said, The Cosby Show appeals to the whole family, while none of the other 3 are for everybody.

:lol: I never take online polls seriously, they can be cheated very easily.

Plus maybe the N@N overkill has alot to do with him winning that poll? I mean it's not like you can forget him.

I say no TCS is a classic to some, but I guess I'm weird I don't find it funny and I know alot of people who dont get (like I do) what some see in this show)

I would say The Jeffersons, etc. are def. on a higher tv plane

Originally posted by TVShow Analyzer
HIGHER????????, ARE you kiddin me? You Got to be kiddin me?

Solomon we agree on something

:eek: :p

In terms of popularity (not quality), TCS definitely wins. And I'm not talking about online polls. I'm talking about the number of countries in which I've seen reruns of that show. Most of the world's TV audience knows who Cosby is. Face it: a lot of people like TCS better! Now I don't even know what to say about "higher" or "lower" TV planes. I would question the validity of a subjective claim like that just as much as I would the validity of an online poll.

Anyway...these arguments are kind of pointless. If somebody doesn't like a show, then that's fine. Just don't expect to convert anybody.

TCS is probably equal to those shows. It did afterall save the sitcom 20 rears ago and has been popular in reruns ever since. I personally like the Norman Lear shows better but a lot of today's youth don't understand that kind of comedy.

No. The dynamics are vastly differnt on TCS and Sanford and Son
Goodtimes was in a differnt place and time socially and economicaly, though the focus on family in these two shows was equally important yet presented differntly
The Jeffersons was funny ,but isn't even ,strictly my opinion,in the same leauge with TCS.

Originally posted by mr roper
TCS is probably equal to those shows. It did afterall save the sitcom 20 rears ago and has been popular in reruns ever since. I personally like the Norman Lear shows better but a lot of today's youth don't understand that kind of comedy.

I agree with this especially that younger viewers are less likely to understand the Norman Lear shows esp All in the Family. I think you need to have lived life a bit to really see the depth of the characterization of someone like Archie Bunker or Fred Sanford. Their outrageous comments and behavior were not just cartoonishness, though a child or teen could laugh at their antics; there was a lot of pain in these characterizations that rounded them out. Same thing with James Evans.

Cliff Huxtable wasn't as deep a characterization but more Bill Cosby's real life persona in a sitcom format and the presence of all those kids kept things lighter and bouncier. Almost all of Norman Lear's shows have things in them that are very disturbing and thought provoking: poverty, death, aging and not wanting to be abandoned in one's old age, children and parents who really have a hard time understanding each other. Cosby doesn't have these things and always has happy endings. Lear's shows have a lot of ugliness about them.

Which is of greater entertainment value is subjective and depends on what one considers entertaining, though people whose entertainment tastes are more escapist would probably go for Cosby rather than Lear.

Originally posted by mr roper
TCS is probably equal to those shows. It did afterall save the sitcom 20 rears ago and has been popular in reruns ever since. I personally like the Norman Lear shows better but a lot of today's youth don't understand that kind of comedy.

OK I get sick to my STOMACH when people go on and on and on about how "The Cosby Show" saved the sitcom. Sure, sitcoms weren't highly rated, but there were MANY of them on, and I don't think some of them were ready for cancellation. "Kate and Allie" ranked #8 in the 1983-1984 season, even though it premeired in mid-season! People act as if all the networks were ready to pull the plug on all of their sitcoms but then "The Cosby Show" came along with its magic slingshot and smacked down the dramas, rescuing sitcoms from harm.

"The Cosby Show" is the sitcom's savior?...puke:

Originally posted by JT
OK I get sick to my STOMACH when people go on and on and on about how "The Cosby Show" saved the sitcom. Sure, sitcoms weren't highly rated, but there were MANY of them on, and I don't think some of them were ready for cancellation. "Kate and Allie" ranked #8 in the 1983-1984 season, even though it premeired in mid-season! People act as if all the networks were ready to pull the plug on all of their sitcoms but then "The Cosby Show" came along with its magic slingshot and smacked down the dramas, rescuing sitcoms from harm.

"The Cosby Show" is the sitcom's savior?...puke: Kate and Allie only aired about 4 shows by the end of that season and overall wasn't as big a hit as the Cosby Show. All the Other Shows in the top 20 sitcom wise were veteran shows who's best days were behind them. You can say that Cheers and Family Ties were around but before Cosby they weren't hits. Cheers barely escaped getting cancelled that first year and Family Ties was a mediocre hit being ranked in the 30's and 40's. The top shows in the early 80's were Primetime Soap Operas and Action Shows like Dallas and The A-Team. Before Cosby their was no NBC must see tv Thursday. Magnum and Simon and Simon were crushing the competion. After Cosby the whole NBC Thursday lineup volted into the top 20 including Night Court which had premiered the previous season and had been far from a hit. I don't like defending The Cosby Show but it is true. After Cosby debuted sitcoms came back and dominated tv for the rest of the decade.

Originally posted by TVShow Analyzer
The Jeffersons
Good Times
Sanford and Son



I think not. TCS will never been on the same level as these great classic comedies of the 70's. Cliff Huxtable will never be remembered like George Jefferson, Fred Sanford, and James Evans.

Jefferson might be better than Huxtable, but James Evans, lol? I doubt many people even remember that character more than Cliff Huxtable. Good Times will always be remembered most about J.J.

Originally posted by pavanbadal
Jefferson might be better than Huxtable, but James Evans, lol? I doubt many people even remember that character more than Cliff Huxtable. Good Times will always be remembered most about J.J.

That's true... but in terms of Good Times, I would hands down have James over J.J. anyday. But yeah, JJ will be the most remembered from Good Times.

I think, we have to face it, The Cosby Show appeals to all generations of the family and is honestly a very good family sitcom. I've lost interest in it, but it's clearly still just as popular.

No, Cosby hardly ever played on the "race" thing that the other shows did. That does get a little tiresome! But the other shows(especially Sanford and Son) were much funnier in a different way!Good Times got on my nerves with all the preachiness. But the Jefferson's and Sanford just was plain funny without the "message" thrown in! I love those 2 shows! Especially Sanford!:lol: But, unfortunately Cosby has been played to death in syndication!:rolleyes:
(I also liked Good Times much better when
John Amos was on there!):)

Originally posted by pavanbadal
Jefferson might be better than Huxtable, but James Evans, lol? I doubt many people even remember that character more than Cliff Huxtable. Good Times will always be remembered most about J.J.

Well you may be right about James Evans but overall, TCS will never be remembered for the way they ENTERTAIN viewers like GT. BTW PAv, I did a Good Times/Cosby Poll a month ago and the Cosby Show was not chosen by that many people.

I hated Sanford and Son lol. The first 3 seasons of Cosby Show were alright, but the rest of the series was horrible.

Originally posted by Rurry007
I hated Sanford and Son lol. The first 3 seasons of Cosby Show were alright, but the rest of the series was horrible.


Are you a female? If so that's maybe the reason you hate the show. It's a man show. I never met a man who didn't like sanford and son.

Originally posted by TVShow Analyzer
Are you a female? If so that's maybe the reason you hate the show. It's a man show. I never met a man who didn't like sanford and son.

No, im a 12 year old boy.

Originally posted by Rurry007
No, im a 12 year old boy.


Well maybe you will like when you get older. The show was created for men 18-50

Originally posted by TVShow Analyzer
HIGHER????????, ARE you kiddin me? You Got to be kiddin me?

OMG... we agree.

:eek2:

Originally posted by JT
Funny...everyone in my house hates The Cosby Show's guts.

:nod:

Originally posted by Brent88
OMG... we agree.

:eek2:

:rotflmao: I never thought it'd happen, He and I also agreed on something not too long ago :p :D

Originally posted by barwars
I would say so.
Actually, no.

They're not on the same level.... The Cosby Show is higher.
Just take a look at that Yahoo TV Dads poll.... Cliff Huxtable is remembered better than George Jefferson, Fred Sanford, and James Evans COMBINED.

I like all 4 shows.... but like dlemond said, The Cosby Show appeals to the whole family, while none of the other 3 are for everybody.

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

Originally posted by Rurry007
:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

what??

Originally posted by barwars
what??

Well, I dont like Sanford and Son, but its just surprising, I didnt think anyone would say that Cosby is better than those shows.

Originally posted by Rurry007
Well, I dont like Sanford and Son, but its just surprising, I didnt think anyone would say that Cosby is better than those shows.

I prefer it, but it doesnt mean its better.

Although it is more popular.
Like I said, I like all 4 shows, with The Cosby Show being the best.
Followed by The Jeffersons, Sanford & Son and lastly Good Times.

Originally posted by barwars
I prefer it, but it doesnt mean its better.

Although it is more popular.
Like I said, I like all 4 shows, with The Cosby Show being the best.
Followed by The Jeffersons, Sanford & Son and lastly Good Times.


And why do you feel TCS is better than those other shows? First let me ask, have you seen all eps of GT, S&S and TJ?

Originally posted by TVShow Analyzer
And why do you feel TCS is better than those other shows? First let me ask, have you seen all eps of GT, S&S and TJ?

No.... I haven't even seen all the episodes of The Cosby Show.

I like it better because I laugh more at it. I still love The Jeffersons and Sanford & Son. And Good Times is great, but not one of my top pics. I love Bill Cosby's standup, and for those first 5 years -- it was just a big extension of his standup. Im not saying The Cosby Show is the end-all-be-all, I just prefer it.

Originally posted by TVShow Analyzer
The Jeffersons
Good Times
Sanford and Son



I think not. TCS will never been on the same level as these great classic comedies of the 70's. Cliff Huxtable will never be remembered like George Jefferson, Fred Sanford, and James Evans.No Def not Solomon.... Especially now with people thinking he did this and that............

Those first 3 shows ya listed are pure 70s gold!!

Good Times is very annoying and Sanford and Son is just ok. The Jeffersons became good when it stopped making everything about race. First five seasons of The Cosby Show are good. But it jumped the shark when Olivia joined the cast and had too big of a role.

Good Times is very annoying and Sanford and Son is just ok. The Jeffersons became good when it stopped making everything about race. First five seasons of The Cosby Show are good. But it jumped the shark when Olivia joined the cast and had too big of a role.

Good times was good before it was decided that Jimmie (not funny) Walker was to be the center of attention with his catch phrase. Hence the reason John Amos left and then Esther Rolle took off. I think Sanford and son is meh. Same thought here for the Jeffersons and Cosby.

Just my opinion is that the majority of TV shows, not just sitcoms should end after the 5th season. Almost every show I think of loses my interest after that season and gets tiring.

Good Times is very annoying and Sanford and Son is just ok. The Jeffersons became good when it stopped making everything about race. First five seasons of The Cosby Show are good. But it jumped the shark when Olivia joined the cast and had too big of a role.Yea I didnt watch Bills show enough to notice....... I watched it one night when Channel 10 from Rodchester NY came skipping in one night...... I saw most of the episode before WHUC faded.........

I think the Cosby Show was really only funny for the first season or two, which were rooted in Cosby's standup material.

Ya I reckon it was... He had a good stand up thing going...

:lol: I never take online polls seriously, they can be cheated very easily.

Plus maybe the N@N overkill has alot to do with him winning that poll? I mean it's not like you can forget him.

I say no TCS is a classic to some, but I guess I'm weird I don't find it funny and I know alot of people who dont get (like I do) what some see in this show)

I would say The Jeffersons, etc. are def. on a higher tv plane



I would have to agree the N@N overkill had me burned out from The Cosby Show. When WGN America did their 80s week marathon in the summer of 2008, I did not bother to watch. I mean I like The Cosby Show as much as the next person but my god between the aforementioned N@N overkill and it being in WGN’s regular lineup. I thought “how about something different?” There is no denying the fact however that The Cosby Show was an integral part of 80s sitcoms. Say what you will about Bill Cosby and The Cosby Show but not only did The Cosby Show save NBC but it also saved sitcoms and revolutionized them just as The Beatles did for rock and roll 20 years earlier.

If it was not for The Cosby show there would be no Seinfeld, nonFriends, no Roseanne, Married with children etc.

I miss the days of The Cosby Show being number 1 on Nick at Nite. I still love that show.

Thats an interesting Point Jamey!!

Yes. I think that the Cosby show is just as good and just as entertaining as Sanford & Son, Good Times and The Jeffersons.

I love the Cosby Show, The Jeffersons, Good Times and Sanford & Son. They are all great shows.

The Jeffersons
Good Times
Sanford and Son



I think not. TCS will never been on the same level as these great classic comedies of the 70's. Cliff Huxtable will never be remembered like George Jefferson, Fred Sanford, and James Evans.


The Cosby Show is better than all 3 series COMBINED!!