Like Regular People
–(U Know) I Got Soul, Eric B. & Rakim, Paid in Full…
There are teenagers walking around today who have no idea. Even with Nick at Nite… they have no clue. They weren’t a part of the history, a part of the past. They didn’t get the chance to grow up in the era where reality didn’t rule, where scripted shows were a mainstay, where situation comedies didn’t need gay characters to grab the attention of viewers. They don’t know from funny, these kids. And to be sure, that’s a crime.
But now, with last week’s release (a release during the Summer of Will, no less…lol) of the four-disc first season of NBC’s The Cosby Show, those teenagers don’t need to look back to where they’re from. Because where they’re at is in a good spot for education, for history… and for fun.
Twenty-one years ago. TWENTY-ONE YEARS AGO?!?!?!? Can you believe it? That’s when NBC took a chance on comedian Bill Cosby’s third try at network comedy, following failed attempts in the late ’60s and early ’70s. That’s when they took a chance that stories about Cosby’s family life–taken straight from his world-renowned stand up routines–would win America over. In September of 1984, the family sitcom was dead. Evidence? The only family comedy on television was CBS’ Kate & Allie. Dead, I say.
And then along came Cosby… with his stories about family life. Stories about the fictional, relatable Huxtables… regular people. A doctor. A lawyer. Normal kids. In fact, if you’re honest with yourselves, you will admit that secretly, you would say, “I could play that role” or “I would’ve made a better [insert Cosby kid name here]. They should’ve chosen me.” LOL
And that’s what made the show such a success. Seeing African Americans live, laugh and love. It raised our profile, our cache. To be clear, the show was number one in EVERY household in America from 1985-1991. That’s six years of superiority. Six years of raising the bar, of telling the stories of a Brooklyn family who were very well-to-do, and looked very good doing it. Six years of universal storylines that could apply to almost any family. Six years of an American sitcom revival that helped launch shows such as Family Ties, Cheers, Night Court and was solely responsible for the birth of A Different World. The show was an anchor, a linchpin, a crown jewel. And to tell the truth, these words probably don’t even do it the proper justice. To say that The Cosby Show was just a nice little sitcom would be like saying that New York is a nice little state in America. THAT is the type of impact the show had.
Must-see, indeed.
Which brings us to the just-released Season One and, more importantly, the pilot episode. This was going to set the tone, to introduce the characters and determine whether the show would sink or swim. Conversely, with no real knowledge of what the show would do, NBC couldn’t really commit wholeheartedly, making the pilot a well-structured work-in-progress. It was our introduction to Cliff, Clair, Denise, Teddy (LOL), Vanessa and Rudy.
Sure there were some discrepancies in the first episode… but it’s only because they were fleshing things out. The pilot saw Vanessa repeatedly calling Theodore “Teddy,” instead of the subsequent Theo we all came to know.
Here are some other oddities from the introductory episode (taken from TV.com…I love this site!!!!):
—> The Huxtable house was very different in this episode than in the rest of the show, but the same living room set is used.
—> This is probably the only episode in which Cliff or Clair or any of the kids swear. Cliff says, “Damn right” when talking to Theo about his grades. This and Looking Back (2) when they flash back to Theo and his grades are about the only times the Huxtables were caught swearing.
—> In the establishing shot, the sign outside the Huxtable home reads “Clifford Huxtable, M.D.” In later episodes, Cliff is referred to as “Heathcliff” on numerous occasions.
All of those things changed once the show caught on, once it came from where it was to where it was going. And the direction it was headed came during that pilot. It came during a one-on-one between father and son… a conversation that, some 21 years later, still resonates as one of the most impactful in television history.
Theo (to Cliff): “You’re a doctor and Mom’s a lawyer, and you’re both successful in everything and that’s great! But maybe I was born to be a regular person and have a regular life. If you weren’t a doctor, I wouldn’t love you less, because you’re my dad. So rather than feeling disappointed because I’m not like you, maybe you should accept who I am and love me anyway, because I’m your son.”
Cliff (in response to Theo’s comment): “Theo. That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard in my life!! No wonder you’re getting D’s in everything. Now you’re afraid to try because you’re afraid that your brain is going to explode and it’s going to ooze out of your ears! Now you’re going to try because I SAID SO. I AM YOUR FATHER!! I BROUGHT YOU IN THIS WORLD AND I’LL TAKE YOU OUT!!!”
That conversation alone is why this generation is so screwed up. It is the reason why they are deprived, even with Nick at Nite… deprived of regular people, real conversations, instead bombarded with a skewed version of reality.
These DVDs are timeless, even 21 years later. If you have teeangers, let them watch that first season and learn. Let them see why you’re so well-adjusted, why having a real family and a sitcom family to share with, to relate to, is a double blesssing. In fact, because of where they’re at, they need to know where they’re from… what they missed… what they need.
Take the time to show them…let them see how the Huxtables handled it… like regular people… one season at a time.
Oh wow!! I STILL love the Cosby show. People used to call my mom “Claire” when I was growing up because they looked and acted so much alike. I used to want to take Vanessa’s place. And you are absolutely right about that Cliff/Theo scene. That is EXACTLY what’s wrong w/ this upcoming generation.
This post is great! I’m going to send it to my mom!
But ah…on another note…how are you doing all these cool things w/in your post…side snippets and such? Are you too good to share your knowledge now?
**going to return the present that I was going to leave on Will’s carseat next week since he’s shown that he’s SELFISH…**
Comment by Beloved — 08.09.05 @ 9:29 pm
Wow, it’s hard to believe that it’s been 21 years since The Cosby Show first aired. Yeah, I remember those first few episodes, because they only had 4 children back then and they even mentioned in one of those early episodes that they didn’t want 5 kids. But for some reason or other, they introduced a 5th child later in the form of Sondra.
Everybody loves the grandparents anniversary episode where the Huxtables lip sync to Ray Charles’ Night Time Is The Right Time, but one of my faves is when Denise told Theo that she would make him an imitation Gordon Gartrell shirt.
Comment by Nikki — 08.09.05 @ 10:49 pm
Nikki… that is my single most favorite episode! When she said, “Theo, why don’t you just tuck it in?” And he responded with gritted teeth, “It’s tucked into my socks!” I thought I would die laughing! Just hilarious!!!
Comment by Will — 08.09.05 @ 10:58 pm
This summer of Will thing….summer ends what day? Should we look forward to “The Winter of Will”??? lol
Comment by Alli — 08.09.05 @ 11:38 pm
This brings back crazy memories..of course I loveddd this show! First, it came on Thursdays and Thursday was also library day which was a dream for a nerd like me. (Thursday is STILL my fav. day of the week) Second, I lovvved RUDY! Her name was KESHIA for the love of God! There were NO famous Keshia’s before her…and there she was…little ME! lol Finally, there are SO many quotables and memories from the show. Remember the episode when they crashed into Stevie Wonder? I think we sang…Robbberrt a million times in school after that. Love the show! U make me want to go out and buy this collection!
Comment by Keish, The Producer... — 08.10.05 @ 12:16 am
Man, you have renewed my love for that show. As a parent, I know first-hand what you’re speaking on. Probably why you’ll make a damn good one yourself. LOL I am going to purchase the first season. And I will watch it with my kids. It’s time kids know what real TV was all about. Thanks, brother Will.
Comment by I Lub Music--Any Kind of Music — 08.10.05 @ 9:38 am
Ok, you almost made me call EMS when you said it had been 21 years since the Cosby show first aired. OMG!!! I used to love that show. I will never forget the night it first aired…how me and my parents just sat in awe…a black family that was about something. *sniff*
I have to go out and buy it…damn your skin for mentioning it. Now the real clencher is when they start selling A Different World on DVD. Then I will just have to become a hermit. LMAO
Comment by Singing — 08.10.05 @ 9:45 am
I heard somewhere that originally Bill wanted he and Claire to be a plummer and nurse. Any truth to that? And I wonder why they stopped letting Claire speak Spanish. Anyt thoughts?
Comment by Kajuana — 08.10.05 @ 9:57 am
Oh and yeah, I agree with Beloved. You’re gonna need to share your fancy formatting information.
Comment by Kajuana — 08.10.05 @ 9:58 am
A great, great post about one of my fave shows. As a sidenote, I’m exactly the same age as Rudy… so my mother would do my hair like her when I was little. Pony tail to the side, please mom! Those were the days LOL
Comment by The Notorious M dot Elle — 08.10.05 @ 11:34 am
I remember watching that inaugural episode after coming home from a hectic day of 4th grade. And every Thursday after that until I was in the 11th grade. I had every hairstyle Theo had *LOL* and the obligatory crush on Denise Huxtable. The Cosby Show shaped my life in ways you couldn’t even imagine.
Comment by Fave — 08.10.05 @ 1:23 pm
I remember that episode (Theo to Father) vividly because I remember that when he finished… a few of the people in the studio audience kind of started to clap and my face was perplexed, because I was thinking, “My mother would NEVER let me get away with saying any stupid shit like that…” and then when Cliff returned with “That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard!!” I fell out laughing (along with the rest of the studio audience) because I was RELIEVED that he kept it REAL and all that mushy ridiculous crap that Theo was spouting didn’t have any affect. LOL Cuz I know my mother would have smirked disbelievingly, rolled her eyes and said, “Whatever the hell ever.” ROFLMAO.
Comment by Xquizzyt1 — 08.10.05 @ 1:24 pm
I can not believe it has been 21 years! That’s crazy! I think one of my most favorite episodes was the one where BB King made an appearance and “Bud” sang Rudy the blues…..”I gave you seven children and now you wanna give em back.” LOL
Comment by SimplyDiva — 08.10.05 @ 3:01 pm
OMG! I abso-tively, poso-lutely REH-FUSE*said with a french accent* to believe it’s been 21 years!!!! And I soooooo remember that converstation VIVIDLY between Cliff and Theo because I’d JUST gotten a “D” on a math test and I was thinking “yeah! Tell him Theo!!” and then when Cliff responded to Theo’s little soliloquy, I felt like I’D been put in my place….all by the character on T.V…..now THAT’s some powerful T.V.!! LOL Great post!
Comment by Robyn — 08.10.05 @ 4:40 pm
Dude your post was great and all but dang as I stare at what I thought was a premature gray hair I realize that uhh yup since the Cosby show came out 21 years ago then maybe this gray hair isn’t premature afterall. Damm you Will!
.
Comment by Edwige — 08.10.05 @ 5:08 pm
Night and Day…you know, this moment goes down in my annals of best television moments in history. That song will eternally remind me of lil Rudy. I have to cop this. It may be the only thing from tv history I allow my future children to watch. Great piece my friend!!!!
Comment by **RPM** — 08.10.05 @ 5:24 pm
“shaking head” I’m not old I’m not old. I remember the am conversations on the school bus on Fridays about Thursdays Cosby Show. The Gordon Gartrell episode ranks up there with the “Where were you when Dwayne burst into Whitley’s wedding”. I guess it’s like “Who Shot JR” for Black Folks
Comment by Rashida — 08.11.05 @ 9:53 pm