Was Charlie & Company from 1985 really CBS answer to The Cosby Show? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TVFactFan · 01-17-2006, 12:22 AM

I read that the show Charlie & Company starring Flip Wilson, Gladys Knight and Jaleel White was CBS answer to the Cosby Show in the fall of 85. I didn't watch yet but plan to this weekend. I was 10 when this show premeired on CBS and don't remember it at all

tv star collector · 01-17-2006, 09:36 AM

I saw it a few times. It wasn't particularly memorable, frankly. And, yes, it is
fairly obvious that it was CBS's answer to the enormously popular COSBY SHOW
on NBC. But Flip was out of his element, in a sitcom format. He was terrific as
a variety show host and performer.

TVFactFan · 01-17-2006, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tv star collector

I saw it a few times. It wasn't particularly memorable, frankly. And, yes, it is
fairly obvious that it was CBS's answer to the enormously popular COSBY SHOW
on NBC. But Flip was out of his element, in a sitcom format. He was terrific as
a variety show host and performer.

I forgot that Jaleel White got his first big break by starring on this show

snl 70s show fan · 01-18-2006, 01:04 AM

i watched it once or twice flip wilson just wasant suted for a sitcom

GARFIELDKOOL · 01-18-2006, 08:33 AM

I remember this show real well back in 1985. It did look like CBS was trying to cash in on Cosby's success, but this show wasn't bad. If I remember correctly, it came on Wednesday nights. I last saw this show on BET in the early 90s.

In this era, CBS wasn't known for it's comedies. CBS had a lot of canceled comedies I think that would have made hits like Melba, Bagdag Cafe, Royal Family, Teech, and Together We Stand.

TVFactFan · 01-18-2006, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GARFIELDKOOL

I remember this show real well back in 1985. It did look like CBS was trying to cash in on Cosby's success, but this show wasn't bad. If I remember correctly, it came on Wednesday nights. I last saw this show on BET in the early 90s.

In this era, CBS wasn't known for it's comedies. CBS had a lot of canceled comedies I think that would have made hits like Melba, Bagdag Cafe, Royal Family, Teech, and Together We Stand.

Damm, BET aired all the short-lived Black Comedies in the early 90's

Sanford Arms
Charlie and Co
Sanford
Out All Night

Where the hell was my VCR?-lol

GARFIELDKOOL · 01-18-2006, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVResearcher

Damm, BET aired all the short-lived Black Comedies in the early 90's

Sanford Arms
Charlie and Co
Sanford
Out All Night

Where the hell was my VCR?-lol

My VCR was probably at the store like yours might have been. I didn't get my first VCR until 1993 when I was 18 going on 19. I had saved up for that. LOL

TVFactFan · 01-18-2006, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GARFIELDKOOL

My VCR was probably at the store like yours might have been. I didn't get my first VCR until 1993 when I was 18 going on 19. I had saved up for that. LOL

Damm, the only short-lived I remember watching on BET was Baby I'm Back and Sanford. I actually did record Sanford because that was on BET in 94 while I was in college

vashti1999 · 01-18-2006, 12:03 PM

I remember watching this show, but don't remember too much about it specifically, like how closely it copied the Cosby Show.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVResearcher

I didn't watch yet but plan to this weekend.

How many episodes have you found?

tv star collector · 01-18-2006, 07:39 PM

How closely was CBS's CHARLIE & CO. a clone of THE COSBY SHOW? Set on Chicago's south side, many TV critics accused the short-lived 1985-1986
series of being a poor-man's version of NBC's highly successful COSBY SHOW. Charlie Richmond (Flip Wilson) was an administrative assistant with the Chicago Dept. of Highways. He and his wife Diana (Gladys Knight), an elementary school teacher, had three outspoken kids. Since none of them were afflicted with shyness, life at home, particulary at meals, tended to resemble a verbal free-for-all. The cast also included Charlie's boss and his four co-workers. In mid-season, Della Reese joined the cast as Diana's sarcastic Aunt Rachel, not one of Charlie's favorite people. (Source: THE COMPLETE DIRECTORY TO PRIME TIME NETWORK & CABLE TV SHOWS).

TVFactFan · 01-18-2006, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vashti1999

I remember watching this show, but don't remember too much about it specifically, like how closely it copied the Cosby Show.

How many episodes have you found?

Only 1 ep-lol-"The Pilot"

Lamont · 01-18-2006, 08:36 PM

apparently did NOT like the show one bit
I saw on a E show on him, that he was happy it got cancelled

i didnt like it, i watched a few eps, BUT i didnt like the cosby show either

TVFactFan · 01-18-2006, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lamont

apparently did NOT like the show one bit
I saw on a E show on him, that he was happy it got cancelled

i didnt like it, i watched a few eps, BUT i didnt like the cosby show either

Didn't like the Cosby Show???-lol

Lamont · 01-18-2006, 10:53 PM

THE COSBY SHOW was total schlock to me......

I like Bill Cosby and I loved I SPY and his 70s sitcom THE BILL COSBY SHOW, which was really well done

also FAT ALBERT= the best cartoon of its time, well written and funny

I also like COSBY his later sitcom and THE COSBY MYSTERIES which I love

i even liked his remake of the old groucho show that flopped

BUT the 1980s THE COSBY SHOW was so sugary and sweet it was like BUBBLEGUM ROCK of the 70s

ESPECIALLY when it was part of a GREAT nbc night of FAMILY TIES, CHEERS and NIGHT COURT

3 great shows, BUT the cosby show, DESPITE being a hit, was really repetitive and the show was carried by Cosbys personality and carryovers from his stand up routines!

TVFactFan · 01-18-2006, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lamont

THE COSBY SHOW was total schlock to me......

I like Bill Cosby and I loved I SPY and his 70s sitcom THE BILL COSBY SHOW, which was really well done

also FAT ALBERT= the best cartoon of its time, well written and funny

I also like COSBY his later sitcom and THE COSBY MYSTERIES which I love

i even liked his remake of the old groucho show that flopped

BUT the 1980s THE COSBY SHOW was so sugary and sweet it was like BUBBLEGUM ROCK of the 70s

ESPECIALLY when it was part of a GREAT nbc night of FAMILY TIES, CHEERS and NIGHT COURT

3 great shows, BUT the cosby show, DESPITE being a hit, was really repetitive and the show was carried by Cosbys personality and carryovers from his stand up routines!

I think the first season was a defintely carryover from his stand up rountine.

01-17-2006, 12:22 AM	#1
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 98,973	Was Charlie & Company from 1985 really CBS answer to The Cosby Show? I read that the show Charlie & Company starring Flip Wilson, Gladys Knight and Jaleel White was CBS answer to the Cosby Show in the fall of 85. I didn't watch yet but plan to this weekend. I was 10 when this show premeired on CBS and don't remember it at all

01-18-2006, 08:36 PM	#12
Lamont Lamont says Smile! Forum Veteran Join Date: May 28, 2005 Location: Deep in the Heart of Nowhere Posts: 5,217	FLIP apparently did NOT like the show one bit I saw on a E show on him, that he was happy it got cancelled i didnt like it, i watched a few eps, BUT i didnt like the cosby show either
	__________________ I have not been trading for some time now, so please do not ask---- sorry, i cannot help you!

01-18-2006, 10:53 PM	#14
Lamont Lamont says Smile! Forum Veteran Join Date: May 28, 2005 Location: Deep in the Heart of Nowhere Posts: 5,217	NOPE! THE COSBY SHOW was total schlock to me...... I like Bill Cosby and I loved I SPY and his 70s sitcom THE BILL COSBY SHOW, which was really well done also FAT ALBERT= the best cartoon of its time, well written and funny I also like COSBY his later sitcom and THE COSBY MYSTERIES which I love i even liked his remake of the old groucho show that flopped BUT the 1980s THE COSBY SHOW was so sugary and sweet it was like BUBBLEGUM ROCK of the 70s ESPECIALLY when it was part of a GREAT nbc night of FAMILY TIES, CHEERS and NIGHT COURT 3 great shows, BUT the cosby show, DESPITE being a hit, was really repetitive and the show was carried by Cosbys personality and carryovers from his stand up routines!

01-17-2006, 09:36 AM	#2
tv star collector I Love Susie Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 18, 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 4,486	I saw it a few times. It wasn't particularly memorable, frankly. And, yes, it is fairly obvious that it was CBS's answer to the enormously popular COSBY SHOW on NBC. But Flip was out of his element, in a sitcom format. He was terrific as a variety show host and performer.

01-18-2006, 01:04 AM	#4
snl 70s show fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Jun 14, 2005 Location: in the forman basment Posts: 2,454	i watched it once or twice flip wilson just wasant suted for a sitcom

01-18-2006, 08:33 AM	#5
GARFIELDKOOL Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 02, 2004 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 7,204	I remember this show real well back in 1985. It did look like CBS was trying to cash in on Cosby's success, but this show wasn't bad. If I remember correctly, it came on Wednesday nights. I last saw this show on BET in the early 90s. In this era, CBS wasn't known for it's comedies. CBS had a lot of canceled comedies I think that would have made hits like Melba, Bagdag Cafe, Royal Family, Teech, and Together We Stand.

01-18-2006, 07:39 PM	#10
tv star collector I Love Susie Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 18, 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 4,486	How closely was CBS's CHARLIE & CO. a clone of THE COSBY SHOW? Set on Chicago's south side, many TV critics accused the short-lived 1985-1986 series of being a poor-man's version of NBC's highly successful COSBY SHOW. Charlie Richmond (Flip Wilson) was an administrative assistant with the Chicago Dept. of Highways. He and his wife Diana (Gladys Knight), an elementary school teacher, had three outspoken kids. Since none of them were afflicted with shyness, life at home, particulary at meals, tended to resemble a verbal free-for-all. The cast also included Charlie's boss and his four co-workers. In mid-season, Della Reese joined the cast as Diana's sarcastic Aunt Rachel, not one of Charlie's favorite people. (Source: THE COMPLETE DIRECTORY TO PRIME TIME NETWORK & CABLE TV SHOWS).