The Cosby Show: Pilot

The Cosby Show: Pilot
NBC
September 20, 1984
Sitcom
DVD
C+

It's impossible to watch this show in complete isolation from what we now know, from the accusations of rape against the star to the fact that the series would be credited with saving both 3rd-place NBC and family sitcoms.  For me, it seems odd that it premiered a half hour before Who's the Boss?, although WtB would drift from Thursdays to Tuesdays.  Watching the episode now, it seemed at first a typically corny '80s sitcom, but the agenda becomes clear in one of the scenes where Cliff talks to his only son.  Theo gives a speech about how his father should love him even if Theo isn't a success like his parents.  A few in the audience applaud, but more respond to Cliff's retort on how stupid this is.  Heathcliff (Clifford here) Huxtable would also be credited with restoring the father as an authority in sitcoms, although no one points out that he seems to let 16-year-old (ish) Denise go out with the marine who's been in a Turkish prison rather than completely forbidding her.

The regular cast, besides Cosby:

• Phylicia Rashad as wife Clair
• Lisa Bonet as (apparently) oldest daughter Denise
• Malcolm-Jamal Warner as Theo
• Tempestt Bledsoe as middle daughter Vanessa
• and Keshia Knight Pulliam as little Rudy

Veteran director Jay Sandrich helmed this and 99 other Cosby episodes.  It's the only episode written by the show's co-creators (with Cosby) Ed. (yes, with a period) Weinberger and Michael Leeson.