Interesting Cosby Show Facts - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

CliffClavin · 07-19-2004, 05:25 PM

Claire's maiden name, Hanks, is the maiden name of Bill Cosby's real life wife, Camille.

In the Italian version, the family name has been changed from Huxtable to the more pronounceable Robinson. "I Robinson" ("The Robinsons") is the name of the show.

The house in the pilot episode was different from the series. Cliff makes a remark having four children and not five.

Joseph C. Phillips, who played Denise's husband, appeared in an earlier episode as one of Sondra's boyfriends.

Phylicia Rashad was pregnant throughout much of the third season. As a result, her scenes were greatly reduced and what little she was used in, she had to hide her condition, such as sitting behind a desk

In real life Earle Hyman is only 11 years older than Bill Cosby. Clarice Taylor is 10 years older.

Phylicia Rashad is only ten years older than Sabrina Le Beauf.

"Anna" was the first name of both Heathcliff Huxtable and Bill Cosby's mother; "Russell" was the first name of Heathcliff Huxtable's father and Bill Cosby's younger brother Russell Cosby.

In the early episodes, the nameplate outside Cliff's doctor's office read "Clifford Huxtable," as opposed to "Heathcliff", the name he used for the rest of the series.

The first episodes in the show's next-to-last season had an opening in front of a "Mother Hale" mural. However, when there was a disagreement over what compensation would be paid to the kids who painted the original mural, the show switched back to its previous season's "Apollo Theater" opening, with an added graphic for Erika Alexander, who was now a regular on the show. Some episodes began with Bill Cosby and Raven-Symone telling the viewers that it was not a repeat. The final season used a slightly modified version of the "Mother Hale" opening.

The character of Sondra, the Huxtables' eldest daughter, was added almost as an afterthought. They decided there should be another child that represented the results of a good upbringing, hence a daughter in college. When casting the role, it came down to two actresses: 26-year-old 'Sabrina LeBeauf' and 21-year-old Whitney Houston. LeBeauf's theater experience won her the role.

Before the opening credits in one episode, Olivia walks up to Cliff wearing a Bart Simpson mask, a reference to Fox's The Simpsons taking away so many of The Cosby Show's viewers.

The black button that Dr. Heathcliff Huxtable (Bill Cosby) wears in some of the later seasons says "SD jr," a reference to Cosby's close friend Sammy Davis Jr., who died during the series' run.

In the first few episodes of season 1, the only son, Theodore, is referred to as "Teddy," a nickname that is never used again - "Theo" is what everyone calls him thereafter.

In one of the earlier episodes, Theo buys a shirt buy designer Gordon Gartrelle. In the last few seasons, Gordon Gartrelle is listed as a producer of the show.

Episode 8.21 (Claire's Reunion) reveals that Dr. Heathcliff Huxtable grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and in "Jitterbug Break", Theo and Cliff remind Denise that Cliff slept outside Connie Mack Stadium for World Series tickets, after Denise says that it was Yankee Stadium.

Winnie and Nelson Tibideaux are named for Winnie Mandela and Nelson Mandela, the first black president of the Republic of South Africa and his then-wife.

During one season, Phylcia Rashad had become pregnant. Rather than write it into the series, the producers decided to hide the pregnancy by placing her behind props, having her lie in bed or just writing her out of several episodes altogether.

The show's theme was composed by Bill Cosby, Stu Gardner, and Dawnn Lewis.

In episode #1.13 ("Father's Day") we learn that Cliff's birthday is in October.

Rudy was originally going to be a son, but when a suitable boy could not be find, girls were allowed to audition.

Nobody gave this sitcom much chance for success partly because it was on Thursday night against Magnum P.I. (1980) (TV), a very popular CBS drama series at the time. The sitcom eventually became the #1 show on the air and routinely out-rated Magnum. In one episode of the show, Cosby wore a "Magnum" baseball cap.

The character 'Cliff Huxtable' was ranked #1 in TV Guide's list of the "50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time" (20 June 2004 issue).

At the start of the show, Cliff's name was Clifford. In later episodes, he is reffered to as Heathcliff. Finally, in the last episode, Clair calls him Heathclifford.

Jack1000 · 08-18-2004, 03:06 AM

Quote:

Before the opening credits in one episode, Olivia walks up to Cliff wearing a Bart Simpson mask, a reference to Fox's The Simpsons taking away so many of The Cosby Show's viewers.

What episode does this happen in? I assume this was cut in syndication.

Jack

Dreamy · 08-18-2004, 03:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jack1000
What episode does this happen in? I assume this was cut in syndication.

Jack

yeh what episode was it?i remember that i saw it before,but that was ages ago!!!

Chocoholic · 08-18-2004, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CliffClavin

Rudy was originally going to be a son, but when a suitable boy could not be find, girls were allowed to audition.

Really? I never knew that. I always thought the Huxtable family was modeled after Bill's own family. (4 girls and 1 boy.)

felicitylen · 08-19-2004, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Phylicia Rashad was pregnant throughout much of the third season. As a result, her scenes were greatly reduced and what little she was used in, she had to hide her condition, such as sitting behind a desk

I think it was E! or some other program, they mentioned how the stove and counters were raised so her stomach wouldn't show. There were two episodes in which she was carrying grocery bags and stood behind them, and in the other episode, she sat behind a huge teddy bear.

Dreamy · 08-19-2004, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by felicitylen
I think it was E! or some other program, they mentioned how the stove and counters were raised so her stomach wouldn't show. There were two episodes in which she was carrying grocery bags and stood behind them, and in the other episode, she sat behind a huge teddy bear.

behind a huge teddy bear?lol!in what ep?

vze3t9q9 · 08-23-2004, 08:38 PM

The character of Sondra, the Huxtables' eldest daughter, was added almost as an afterthought. They decided there should be another child that represented the results of a good upbringing, hence a daughter in college. When casting the role, it came down to two actresses: 26-year-old 'Sabrina LeBeauf' and 21-year-old Whitney Houston. LeBeauf's theater experience won her the role.

I wonder what Whitney Houston would have been like. She might have had better life choices working with Bill[

PS how do you quote in black letters?

Dreamy · 10-08-2004, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by vze3t9q9
The character of Sondra, the Huxtables' eldest daughter, was added almost as an afterthought. They decided there should be another child that represented the results of a good upbringing, hence a daughter in college. When casting the role, it came down to two actresses: 26-year-old 'Sabrina LeBeauf' and 21-year-old Whitney Houston. LeBeauf's theater experience won her the role.

I wonder what Whitney Houston would have been like. She might have had better life choices working with Bill[

PS how do you quote in black letters?

26 years old sabrina lebeauf???26???

gidgetgrape · 10-08-2004, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jack1000
What episode does this happen in? I assume this was cut in syndication.

Jack

Olivia wore the mask on the top of her head in the credits, so you had to look closely to see what it was. The first time I saw it, I thought she had a plate up there.

jamesanthony · 10-08-2004, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CliffClavin

Phylicia Rashad was pregnant throughout much of the third season. As a result, her scenes were greatly reduced and what little she was used in, she had to hide her condition, such as sitting behind a desk

Nobody gave this sitcom much chance for success partly because it was on Thursday night against Magnum P.I. (1980) (TV), a very popular CBS drama series at the time. The sitcom eventually became the #1 show on the air and routinely out-rated Magnum. In one episode of the show, Cosby wore a "Magnum" baseball cap.

.

At the start of year 5 Sondra was pregnant but I don't believe Sabrina LeBeauf was, and at the same time Lisa Bonet was pregnant but Denise wasn't.

I always found it a bit hard to believe that Cliff and Claire were more or less the same age. She clearly looks several years younger than him.

Cosby was a big hit, but Magnum must not have done too poorly because it stayed on the air against Cosby for 4 seasons, and if I remember correctly, it wasn't cancelled, but ended on its own.

I remember the mural being used for the first few year 7 episodes in 1990, but I don't remember Olivia and the Bart Simpson mask at all.

Does anyone know who designed the sweaters and clothing for the show?

Tundra Wolf · 10-08-2004, 06:49 PM

Don't forget... Clair's middle name in one episode is revealed to be Olivia, but later in the show a little brat comes along by the name "Olivia"

07-19-2004, 05:25 PM	#1
CliffClavin Yada Yada Yada Senior Member Join Date: May 04, 2004 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 1,403	Interesting Cosby Show Facts Claire's maiden name, Hanks, is the maiden name of Bill Cosby's real life wife, Camille. In the Italian version, the family name has been changed from Huxtable to the more pronounceable Robinson. "I Robinson" ("The Robinsons") is the name of the show. The house in the pilot episode was different from the series. Cliff makes a remark having four children and not five. Joseph C. Phillips, who played Denise's husband, appeared in an earlier episode as one of Sondra's boyfriends. Phylicia Rashad was pregnant throughout much of the third season. As a result, her scenes were greatly reduced and what little she was used in, she had to hide her condition, such as sitting behind a desk In real life Earle Hyman is only 11 years older than Bill Cosby. Clarice Taylor is 10 years older. Phylicia Rashad is only ten years older than Sabrina Le Beauf. "Anna" was the first name of both Heathcliff Huxtable and Bill Cosby's mother; "Russell" was the first name of Heathcliff Huxtable's father and Bill Cosby's younger brother Russell Cosby. In the early episodes, the nameplate outside Cliff's doctor's office read "Clifford Huxtable," as opposed to "Heathcliff", the name he used for the rest of the series. The first episodes in the show's next-to-last season had an opening in front of a "Mother Hale" mural. However, when there was a disagreement over what compensation would be paid to the kids who painted the original mural, the show switched back to its previous season's "Apollo Theater" opening, with an added graphic for Erika Alexander, who was now a regular on the show. Some episodes began with Bill Cosby and Raven-Symone telling the viewers that it was not a repeat. The final season used a slightly modified version of the "Mother Hale" opening. The character of Sondra, the Huxtables' eldest daughter, was added almost as an afterthought. They decided there should be another child that represented the results of a good upbringing, hence a daughter in college. When casting the role, it came down to two actresses: 26-year-old 'Sabrina LeBeauf' and 21-year-old Whitney Houston. LeBeauf's theater experience won her the role. Before the opening credits in one episode, Olivia walks up to Cliff wearing a Bart Simpson mask, a reference to Fox's The Simpsons taking away so many of The Cosby Show's viewers. The black button that Dr. Heathcliff Huxtable (Bill Cosby) wears in some of the later seasons says "SD jr," a reference to Cosby's close friend Sammy Davis Jr., who died during the series' run. In the first few episodes of season 1, the only son, Theodore, is referred to as "Teddy," a nickname that is never used again - "Theo" is what everyone calls him thereafter. In one of the earlier episodes, Theo buys a shirt buy designer Gordon Gartrelle. In the last few seasons, Gordon Gartrelle is listed as a producer of the show. Episode 8.21 (Claire's Reunion) reveals that Dr. Heathcliff Huxtable grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and in "Jitterbug Break", Theo and Cliff remind Denise that Cliff slept outside Connie Mack Stadium for World Series tickets, after Denise says that it was Yankee Stadium. Winnie and Nelson Tibideaux are named for Winnie Mandela and Nelson Mandela, the first black president of the Republic of South Africa and his then-wife. During one season, Phylcia Rashad had become pregnant. Rather than write it into the series, the producers decided to hide the pregnancy by placing her behind props, having her lie in bed or just writing her out of several episodes altogether. The show's theme was composed by Bill Cosby, Stu Gardner, and Dawnn Lewis. In episode #1.13 ("Father's Day") we learn that Cliff's birthday is in October. Rudy was originally going to be a son, but when a suitable boy could not be find, girls were allowed to audition. Nobody gave this sitcom much chance for success partly because it was on Thursday night against Magnum P.I. (1980) (TV), a very popular CBS drama series at the time. The sitcom eventually became the #1 show on the air and routinely out-rated Magnum. In one episode of the show, Cosby wore a "Magnum" baseball cap. The character 'Cliff Huxtable' was ranked #1 in TV Guide's list of the "50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time" (20 June 2004 issue). At the start of the show, Cliff's name was Clifford. In later episodes, he is reffered to as Heathcliff. Finally, in the last episode, Clair calls him Heathclifford.
	__________________ We owe a lot to Thomas Edison - if it wasn't for him, we'd be watching television by candlelight. - Milton Berle

08-23-2004, 08:38 PM	#7
vze3t9q9 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 31, 2003 Location: ROCKCOVE Posts: 548	The character of Sondra, the Huxtables' eldest daughter, was added almost as an afterthought. They decided there should be another child that represented the results of a good upbringing, hence a daughter in college. When casting the role, it came down to two actresses: 26-year-old 'Sabrina LeBeauf' and 21-year-old Whitney Houston. LeBeauf's theater experience won her the role. I wonder what Whitney Houston would have been like. She might have had better life choices working with Bill[ PS how do you quote in black letters?

10-08-2004, 06:49 PM	#11
Tundra Wolf Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jun 10, 2004 Location: New York Posts: 730	Don't forget... Clair's middle name in one episode is revealed to be Olivia, but later in the show a little brat comes along by the name "Olivia"