Did anyone else hate this guy? I think he was one of the most annoying characters in t.v. history. Every time he came on I wanted to smack him.

Let's see, he kept pressuring Denise to choose Hillman College, cheated at poker, fell asleep when he was supposed to be watching Rudy and she got out of the house at night in New York City. How about that time he came in and told the kids "The kitchen floor needs a good scrubbing." Way to insult Claire's housework. Plus it wasn't his place to say such a thing. He didn't own the house, he wasn't their parents.

And don't get me started on that episode where it's his 49th anniversary. They all went to the trouble of getting them a European cruise, a self-portrait done up especially for them, a nice meal and family entertainment and all Russell could do was bitch about the Cruise because he couldn't get his daily newspaper and oatmeal and go home and gripe about how much trouble Cliff got in when he was young. I found that revolting.

And what was with all his weird facial expressions and mannerisms? I wanted to punch him.

Did anyone else hate this guy? I think he was one of the most annoying characters in t.v. history. Every time he came on I wanted to smack him.

Let's see, he kept pressuring Denise to choose Hillman College, cheated at poker, fell asleep when he was supposed to be watching Rudy and she got out of the house at night in New York City. How about that time he came in and told the kids "The kitchen floor needs a good scrubbing." Way to insult Claire's housework. Plus it wasn't his place to say such a thing. He didn't own the house, he wasn't their parents.

And don't get me started on that episode where it's his 49th anniversary. They all went to the trouble of getting them a European cruise, a self-portrait done up especially for them, a nice meal and family entertainment and all Russell could do was bitch about the Cruise because he couldn't get his daily newspaper and oatmeal and go home and gripe about how much trouble Cliff got in when he was young. I found that revolting.

And what was with all his weird facial expressions and mannerisms? I wanted to punch him.


I felt that the grandparents were featured too much on the show. You never saw grandparents that much on any other family show

I felt that the grandparents were featured too much on the show. You never saw grandparents that much on any other family show
There was a Grandpa who was a regular character on "The Real McCoy's". Also on "The Munsters". And Endora on "Bewitched" was a Grandma to Tabitha and Adam. I like the Russell Huxtable character on Cosby. He reminded the family of their history and where they camr from which I feel is an important function.

i enjoyed russell myself

There was a Grandpa who was a regular character on "The Real McCoy's". Also on "The Munsters". And Endora on "Bewitched" was a Grandma to Tabitha and Adam. I like the Russell Huxtable character on Cosby. He reminded the family of their history and where they camr from which I feel is an important function.


I just never been a fan of seeing grandparents on family sitcoms over and over.

Russell's wife Ana really wasn't much better. I just watched the first episode she was in. She insisted Vanessa say to her "Yes, ma'am". OMG, who does that? I thought the grandparents were too full of themselves.

Russell's wife Ana really wasn't much better. I just watched the first episode she was in. She insisted Vanessa say to her "Yes, ma'am". OMG, who does that? I thought the grandparents were too full of themselves.
Anna was just trying to teach her grandchildren to show respect to their elders. Something far too rare these days!

Russell was ok, I guess. I couldnt stand him when he basically badgered Denise to got to Hillman. That turned me right off. Leave her alone!

Russell was ok, I guess. I couldnt stand him when he basically badgered Denise to got to Hillman. That turned me right off. Leave her alone!


yeah i remember that moment, "What else about Hillman do you need to know?:lol: :lol:

I always thought Earle Hyman, who played Grandpa Huxtable was way too young to be the father of Bill Cosby (Cliff Huxtable). Hyman was born in 1926, Cosby, 1937. Clarice Taylor, who played Grandma, was born in 1917. That was much more realistic!

I always thought Earle Hyman, who played Grandpa Huxtable was way too young to be the father of Bill Cosby (Cliff Huxtable). Hyman was born in 1926, Cosby, 1937. Clarice Taylor, who played Grandma, was born in 1917. That was much more realistic!


Yup the same with Sondra and Clair. i think it's a 9 year age difference

phylicia.......1946
sondra...1955

I didn't like the grandparents very much. I didn't like Olivia, either, for that matter.

I didn't like the grandparents very much. I didn't like Olivia, either, for that matter.


I didn't like the grandmother. Russell was cool

Just thought I'd throw this bit of trivia out there but Earl Hyman was also the voice of Panthro in the 80's version of Thundercats.

I'm getting reacquainted with the Cosby Show and so far Russell doesn't bother me.

I didn't like it when he and Claire's mother ambushed Dabnis when he came to visit:

I know that Cliff and Clair were initially rude to Dabnis, but they later admitted they were not nice to him at first. However, I would give them a pass on their initial behavior to Dabnis due to the way in which the situation was just dumped into their laps. Vanessa was solely to blame for that situation.

However, the Grandparents were completely and totally out of line when they ambushed Dabnis.

Their demeanor was rude, self righteous and judgmental; they intentionally twisted his responses and treated Dabnis with disrespect. At their ages, they should've known better. The decent thing to do would've been to let him know what they had heard and that it naturally disturbed them; then they would've learned the facts. He showed more maturity and respect to them than they deserved. They also forgot that Dabnis was a guest in Cliff's house and not theirs; they had absolutely no right to confront anyone.

I didn't like it when he and Claire's mother ambushed Dabnis when he came to visit:

I know that Cliff and Clair were initially rude to Dabnis, but they later admitted they were not nice to him at first. However, I would give them a pass on their initial behavior to Dabnis due to the way in which the situation was just dumped into their laps. Vanessa was solely to blame for that situation.

However, the Grandparents were completely and totally out of line when they ambushed Dabnis.

Their demeanor was rude, self righteous and judgmental; they intentionally twisted his responses and treated Dabnis with disrespect. At their ages, they should've known better. The decent thing to do would've been to let him know what they had heard and that it naturally disturbed them; then they would've learned the facts. He showed more maturity and respect to them than they deserved. They also forgot that Dabnis was a guest in Cliff's house and not theirs; they had absolutely no right to confront anyone.


I wouldn't have answered the question "what do you do for a livjng" if I was dabnis


As a matter of fact, I would have gotten up and walked out lol

Did anyone else hate this guy? I think he was one of the most annoying characters in t.v. history. Every time he came on I wanted to smack him.

Let's see, he kept pressuring Denise to choose Hillman College, cheated at poker, fell asleep when he was supposed to be watching Rudy and she got out of the house at night in New York City. How about that time he came in and told the kids "The kitchen floor needs a good scrubbing." Way to insult Claire's housework. Plus it wasn't his place to say such a thing. He didn't own the house, he wasn't their parents.

And don't get me started on that episode where it's his 49th anniversary. They all went to the trouble of getting them a European cruise, a self-portrait done up especially for them, a nice meal and family entertainment and all Russell could do was bitch about the Cruise because he couldn't get his daily newspaper and oatmeal and go home and gripe about how much trouble Cliff got in when he was young. I found that revolting.

And what was with all his weird facial expressions and mannerisms? I wanted to punch him.


You've cited some excellent examples, OP! :nod: I'm a young fan of the show who hasn't seen those episodes yet. I used to catch the reruns on Nick at Nite, and I've watched it on Centric and TV Land for the past few years. Tbh, I quite enjoyed his character due to Cosby's smugness irl, which made me happy to see him "put in his place" whenever Russell made an appearance :lol: However, I'll keep these points in mind :thumbsup:

Thank you for starting this thread!!! I was beginning to think I was the only one who hated Russell. He always acted so smug and important...get off it man, you were a trombonist. He was over way too much too...no wonder Theo locked him out that one time...

I also hated Elvin, Olivia, and Cousin Pam, but that's a whole other thread..

Great site guys!

Thank you for starting this thread!!! I was beginning to think I was the only one who hated Russell. He always acted so smug and important...get off it man, you were a trombonist. He was over way too much too...no wonder Theo locked him out that one time...

I also hated Elvin, Olivia, and Cousin Pam, but that's a whole other thread..

Great site guys!


He was definitely was on too much that for sure


Welcome to the Boards

I liked both the grandparents, but I really didn't like either one of them in the episode where he was playing the trombone again. Anna kept pressuring him to get it right and was really annoying doing it! I liked Elvin's dad a lot better!

Yup the same with Sondra and Clair. i think it's a 9 year age difference

phylicia.......1946
sondra...1955

It was ten years, and Phylicia Rashad was born on June 19, 1948, and Sabrina Lebeauf was born on March 21, 1958.