Russell (Cliff's father) - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

wiseguy182 · 07-05-2013, 01:20 AM

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.

TVFactFan · 07-05-2013, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wiseguy182

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

Marvo301 · 07-05-2013, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

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.

70s show watcher · 07-07-2013, 04:49 AM

i enjoyed russell myself

TVFactFan · 07-07-2013, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

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.

wiseguy182 · 07-13-2013, 02:05 PM

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.

Marvo301 · 07-13-2013, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wiseguy182

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!

mets82 · 07-13-2013, 02:39 PM

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!

TVFactFan · 07-29-2013, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mets82

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?

McGillicuddy · 07-30-2013, 12:26 PM

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!

TVFactFan · 07-30-2013, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McGillicuddy

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

Tap Dancer · 10-16-2013, 08:51 PM

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

TVFactFan · 10-16-2013, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tap Dancer

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

Mace Dolex · 10-22-2013, 04:21 PM

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.

ladybug1980 · 10-26-2013, 11:25 PM

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

07-05-2013, 01:20 AM	#1
wiseguy182 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 11, 2006 Location: Wendy's salad bar Posts: 7,030	Russell (Cliff's father) 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.

07-13-2013, 02:39 PM	#8
mets82 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Mar 14, 2011 Location: Connecticut Posts: 5,058	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!
	__________________ http://www.superbowlgreatness.blogspot.com/ Please check out my blog. I vent on all things. TV, sports etc. you name it. Its also a work in progress. Check out and see what you think.

07-07-2013, 04:49 AM	#4
70s show watcher Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: May 20, 2008 Location: between point place and studio 8 h Posts: 4,548	i enjoyed russell myself

07-13-2013, 02:05 PM	#6
wiseguy182 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 11, 2006 Location: Wendy's salad bar Posts: 7,030	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.

07-30-2013, 12:26 PM	#10
McGillicuddy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 28, 2002 Posts: 5,179	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!

10-16-2013, 08:51 PM	#12
Tap Dancer Member Forum Regular Join Date: Mar 20, 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 754	I didn't like the grandparents very much. I didn't like Olivia, either, for that matter.

10-22-2013, 04:21 PM	#14
Mace Dolex Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 12, 2013 Posts: 2,666	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.

10-26-2013, 11:25 PM	#15
ladybug1980 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 10, 2011 Posts: 130	I'm getting reacquainted with the Cosby Show and so far Russell doesn't bother me.