Why is the title of this show called the Cosby Show when..... - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TVFactFan · 05-30-2003, 06:00 PM

The Family was the Huxtable Family? Cosby was Bill's last name but had nothing to do with the show.

Cashodeen · 05-31-2003, 05:56 PM

Well, since I just came off a Bill rant, I'll say maybe the naming of this show was another sign of his control issues. Maybe it was his way of proving that this was HIS show, and if it was called "The Huxtables" us viewers might get confused that the show was actually made up of a team where all parts are equal. Couldn't Bill have chosen a more suitable name if he really wanted to?

Okay, seriously, I have no idea why it would be called "The Cosby Show." I've wondered the same thing. Well, maybe my theory above isn't too far off. But I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. I'd like to know the real answer though.

Superbatboy · 05-31-2003, 09:18 PM

But, it WAS his show. He produced it, he helped create it and he was the funniest thing about the show. Without him it would've been crap.

TVFactFan · 05-31-2003, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Superbatboy
But, it WAS his show. He produced it, he helped create it and he was the funniest thing about the show. Without him it would've been crap.

He is funny sometimes.

Cashodeen · 05-31-2003, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Superbatboy

But, it WAS his show. He produced it, he helped create it and he was the funniest thing about the show. Without him it would've been crap.

Very true... he created it; he was the head honcho. I was goofying about the control freak biz. I know it's been talked about before about the title. Maybe it wasn't at these boards, but it's been somewhere else. In the past I've wondered the same thing. It's like Roseanne, she was the star of that and created it and all. I guess as far as the title goes it flowed better only because it was her name on the show as well.

call-alluejah · 06-01-2003, 12:56 AM

It may have to do with his control over the show, but i don't think it was just to boast himself up even more, i think it was for the benefit of the show, Bill Cosby was and still is a notifiable name that i think caught the ear of people on the first hearing of the name. He was pretty succesful on the Tv before that, so they hoped that would help. "The Huxtable Show" wouldn't work, people would say, who the hell is that?

One more idea is that sometimes the network won't pay to do a show if they think it wouldn't be successfull, and maybe they wouldn't put it on without having the famous name "Cosby" in it. It's happened before with other shows and even movies.

AKA · 06-02-2003, 06:34 PM

Why did they call it "The Dick Van Dyke Show" and not "The Petries?" Come on, Solomon, sometimes your rants are just silly.

Janice · 06-02-2003, 06:50 PM

The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Bob Newhart Show, Newhart...it's common with established, big name stars.

TVFactFan · 06-02-2003, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Janice
The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Bob Newhart Show, Newhart...it's common with established, big name stars.

Well he should have called it the Bill Cosby Show.

TVFactFan · 06-02-2003, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AKA
Why did they call it "The Dick Van Dyke Show" and not "The Petries?" Come on, Solomon, sometimes your rants are just silly.

Was his first name Dick on the show also?

Janice · 06-02-2003, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SOLOMON
Well he should have called it the Bill Cosby Show.

The title, The Cosby Show, worked out fine. You're splitting hairs Solomon, as usual.

TVFactFan · 06-02-2003, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Janice

The title, The Cosby Show, worked out fine. You're splitting hairs Solomon, as usual.

No i'm not-LOL,

Cashodeen · 06-03-2003, 12:50 AM

(geez, what is going on here? I am subscribed to this thread and I got no email notification for it. Wonder what other threads I haven't been notified about lately. No wonder today I got zero emails from sitcomsonline. FUDGE!!!)

I really don't have a problem with shows being called by the stars' name, because like Janice said, its done with established stars. I just think it's a little "silly," I guess, only when the star doesn't have the same name on the show. I don't know why I'm that way. It's like letting them have complete control over the show. Viewers will know who's the star by their character and performance. Ultimately it makes sense, so I probably shouldn't think it's silly.

And Dick Van Dyke's name on the show was Rob, so there's another example just like The Cosby show.

call-alluejah · 06-03-2003, 04:19 AM

1. Again, Bill Cosby was the star and his name attracted people to watch it. It's been done before and is done now, ex. "the George Lopez Show"

2. Here's a pretty good reason why "The Bill Cosby Show" wouldn't work out:
"After "I Spy," "The Bill Cosby Show" followed on NBC in 1971. In September,1976, Cosby hosted another variety show at the same time also on ABC"

3.That's a pretty good reason i would think.

TVFactFan · 06-03-2003, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by call-alluejah
1. Again, Bill Cosby was the star and his name attracted people to watch it. It's been done before and is done now, ex. "the George Lopez Show"

2. Here's a pretty good reason why "The Bill Cosby Show" wouldn't work out:
"After "I Spy," "The Bill Cosby Show" followed on NBC in 1971. In September,1976, Cosby hosted another variety show at the same time also on ABC"

3.That's a pretty good reason i would think.

His show in 1976 was called COS.

05-30-2003, 06:00 PM	#1
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,018	Why is the title of this show called the Cosby Show when..... The Family was the Huxtable Family? Cosby was Bill's last name but had nothing to do with the show.

05-31-2003, 09:18 PM	#3
Superbatboy The Brandon Show Forum Regular Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: California..USA Posts: 793	But, it WAS his show. He produced it, he helped create it and he was the funniest thing about the show. Without him it would've been crap.
	__________________ "Marion, stop cackling I've been waiting 10 years for you to lay that egg"

06-01-2003, 12:56 AM	#6
call-alluejah Hillman Graduate Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 18, 2003 Location: 10 Stigwood Ave Posts: 215	It may have to do with his control over the show, but i don't think it was just to boast himself up even more, i think it was for the benefit of the show, Bill Cosby was and still is a notifiable name that i think caught the ear of people on the first hearing of the name. He was pretty succesful on the Tv before that, so they hoped that would help. "The Huxtable Show" wouldn't work, people would say, who the hell is that? One more idea is that sometimes the network won't pay to do a show if they think it wouldn't be successfull, and maybe they wouldn't put it on without having the famous name "Cosby" in it. It's happened before with other shows and even movies.
	__________________ if u don't know where my username comes from, think back to "The Callalloo Pot" Cosby episode and you should kno. -I'm a Hillman Graduate, Not her. But she's still hot though- "a pelican...that is wet walks... with a gaited limp,....but a dry fish... swims alone"

05-31-2003, 05:56 PM	#2
Cashodeen Hi. Forum Star Join Date: Aug 30, 2001 Posts: 11,362	Well, since I just came off a Bill rant, I'll say maybe the naming of this show was another sign of his control issues. Maybe it was his way of proving that this was HIS show, and if it was called "The Huxtables" us viewers might get confused that the show was actually made up of a team where all parts are equal. Couldn't Bill have chosen a more suitable name if he really wanted to? Okay, seriously, I have no idea why it would be called "The Cosby Show." I've wondered the same thing. Well, maybe my theory above isn't too far off. But I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. I'd like to know the real answer though.

06-02-2003, 06:34 PM	#7
AKA Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 17, 2001 Posts: 15,746	Why did they call it "The Dick Van Dyke Show" and not "The Petries?" Come on, Solomon, sometimes your rants are just silly.

06-02-2003, 06:50 PM	#8
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Bob Newhart Show, Newhart...it's common with established, big name stars.

06-03-2003, 12:50 AM	#13
Cashodeen Hi. Forum Star Join Date: Aug 30, 2001 Posts: 11,362	(geez, what is going on here? I am subscribed to this thread and I got no email notification for it. Wonder what other threads I haven't been notified about lately. No wonder today I got zero emails from sitcomsonline. FUDGE!!!) I really don't have a problem with shows being called by the stars' name, because like Janice said, its done with established stars. I just think it's a little "silly," I guess, only when the star doesn't have the same name on the show. I don't know why I'm that way. It's like letting them have complete control over the show. Viewers will know who's the star by their character and performance. Ultimately it makes sense, so I probably shouldn't think it's silly. And Dick Van Dyke's name on the show was Rob, so there's another example just like The Cosby show.

06-03-2003, 04:19 AM	#14
call-alluejah Hillman Graduate Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 18, 2003 Location: 10 Stigwood Ave Posts: 215	1. Again, Bill Cosby was the star and his name attracted people to watch it. It's been done before and is done now, ex. "the George Lopez Show" 2. Here's a pretty good reason why "The Bill Cosby Show" wouldn't work out: "After "I Spy," "The Bill Cosby Show" followed on NBC in 1971. In September,1976, Cosby hosted another variety show at the same time also on ABC" 3.That's a pretty good reason i would think.