Cosby backdrop
Comedy•Family

The Best Episodes of Cosby

Every episode of Cosby ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Cosby!

Binge this in 2d 0h•Peaking at 9.2/10

Cosby is an American situation comedy television series broadcast on CBS from September 16, 1996 to April 28, 2000, loosely based on the British sitcom One Foot in the Grave. The program stars Bill Cosby

Airs on
CBS
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons4

All1234

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Click to reveal
    Cosby Season 4 Episode 10 - One for the Books
    9.2/10(31 votes)

    S4:E10

    Ruth and Pauline try to help save a friend's failing bookstore by annexing it to the Flower Cafe.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. Cosby Season 2 Episode 5 - Older and Out
    8.4/10(27 votes)

    S2:E5

    Hilton is overjoyed when he meets new friends Chuck and Larry and joins their ""Older and Out"" team, since he's also older and he's ""out"" keeping busy. Ruth discovers that Chuck is gay, and she mistakenly believes that her husband of more than 30 years may have feelings for a man! Blaming herself for letting the spark go out of the marriage, Ruth sets off to win him back before a surprised Hilton discovers the real meaning of ""Older and Out.""

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. Cosby Season 2 Episode 16 - Out to Launch
    8.3/10(19 votes)

    S2:E16

    Hilton is bequeathed a boat by a wealthy man he once helped at the airport. Despite Ruth's insistence that he doesn't have the stamina or the money to support a boating hobby, Hilton persists -- including spending three days on the boat with Griffin, parked outside the house in the freezing cold.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. Cosby Season 3 Episode 17 - Ol' Betsy
    8.2/10(18 votes)

    S3:E17

    While searching for a rare part for his beloved turntable, Hilton bumps into an old friend from his bachelor days, Fred. When Hilton and Fred start reminiscing about how they double-dated sisters Mattie and Roberta Singleton, Hilton decides to play matchmaker and prompts Fred into learning whatever became of Mattie. Even now, years later, Fred can't help wondering what might have happened if they remained a couple.... and, thanks to Hilton, he may finally get a chance to find out.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. Cosby Season 4 Episode 6 - There's Something About Hilton
    8.2/10(21 votes)

    S4:E6

    A strange woman comes to the shop under the impression that Hilton is her husband, Charlie.

    Director:Don Scardino
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. Cosby Season 1 Episode 5 - The Best Little Antique Shop in Astoria
    8.1/10(27 votes)

    S1:E5

    Hilton is shocked to find out that an antique store where he has a new job is really a front for illegal activity: a brothel the police are planning to raid. When the cops want Hilton to help put the criminals out of business, he overeagerly accepts the challenge to do his duty as an American citizen and take part in their ""undercover sting operation."" Meanwhile, he is sworn to secrecy about his assignment and is therefore unable to stop Ruthie from spending the paycheck he knows he will never receive.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of Cosby

    READ
  7. Cosby Season 1 Episode 6 - One Foot in Your Mouth
    8.1/10(24 votes)

    S1:E6

    Deceit weaves a tangled web around Hilton, who tells ""one little lie"" and then, to keep up the ruse, finds that he must pretend he's someone else -- and not married to Ruth. In order to avoid attending a wedding, Hilton fibs about needing brain surgery -- and pays a high price. Hilton is always frustrated by everyday deceits, including truth in advertising. Nevertheless, he makes up the lie to avoid attending the Sunday wedding of the son of Ruth's friends, Elaine and Dave, which interferes with his watching sports on television. Pretty soon, he's ensnared in a tangled web of his own making..

    Director:John Whitesell
    Writer:Bernie Orenstein

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. Cosby Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    8.0/10(35 votes)

    S1:E1

    Downsizing at the airport forces Hilton to retire.

    Director:John Whitesell
    Writer:Dennis Klein

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. Cosby Season 1 Episode 25 - Social Insecurity
    8.0/10(18 votes)

    S1:E25

    Hilton tries to convince the Social Security Administration that he is not dead.

    Director:John Whitesell
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. Cosby Season 1 Episode 7 - Natural Born Debtors
    7.9/10(22 votes)

    S1:E7

    Griffin is helping Hilton fix the bathroom door when Wendy arrives very upset and looking for Pauline, her godmother. Before she leaves Hilton has given her $45 to help pay her overdue phone bill. Later Pauline learns that Wendy is in debt for over $15,000, and she's determined to teach Wendy some fiscal responsibility, and she tells Hilton it will be a long time before he sees any of his money. Hilton goes to the bank and learns that not only has his bank has merged with another bank, but also that the computers are down and he can't withdraw any money. After a long, frustrating wait, Hilton uses the ATM machine outside the bank, and, instead of the $50 he requested, the machine gives him $11,000. Hilton is tempted to take the money and run. When Ruthie comes home, Hilton expects a compliment for fixing the door, but instead she discovers a huge scratch that Griffin has made in the wall. When Ruthie learns about Wendy and all her debts, she says she'll forgive the scratch in the wall

    Director:John Whitesell
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. Cosby Season 1 Episode 17 - Valentine's Day
    7.9/10(22 votes)

    S1:E17

    It's Valentine's Day, and when Hilton realizes that he has bought Ruth a scarf that she already has, it's back to the drawing board. When she mentions that she'd love to see singer Jeffrey Osborne, who's appearing at the Steinway Club that night, a desperate Hilton says that he has tickets and was going to surprise her. Since Valentine's Day is a very busy day at the flower shop, Hilton tries to help Ruth and Pauline, but he buys the wrong flowers at the flower mart and causes the delivery truck to be towed. Ruth refuses to get angry with him because she thinks he's taking her to see Jeffrey Osborne. Hilton is at a complete loss, when Griffin realizes that Charlie, a buddy of his, is a waiter at the club, and maybe he can get them in. Hilton and Griffin arrive at the club just as Charlie is being fired; Hilton pleads with Jack, the abrasive club owner, but Jack not only laughs in his face, he bans him from the club. At that point, Hilton's temper flares; he tells Jack off and storms ou

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. Cosby Season 2 Episode 9 - The Pilot (Not the Pilot)
    7.9/10(21 votes)

    S2:E9

    Fasten your seat belts. When Griffin tries to back out of a lucrative out-of-state concert gig because of a flying phobia, Hilton vows that he will get Griffin on the plane - no matter what it takes. When the commercial airline is grounded, Hilton calls on an old airline buddy with a private plane, and they're joined by Jack, who volunteers to underwrite the flight. But thanks to Jack, the pilot passes out, and it's up to Hilton to bring the plane down -- safely.

    Director:John Whitesell
    Writer:Bernie Orenstein

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. Cosby Season 2 Episode 11 - Shall We Dance
    7.9/10(21 votes)

    S2:E11

    Ruth surprises Hilton when she enrolls him in tap dancing classes as a birthday gift. He skips the classes, but tells Ruth that he is making remarkable progress. When Ruth announces that she is going to attend the dance recital, Hilton must take a crash course in fancy footwork, or risk having his deception exposed. The coffee shop hosts it's first poetry night.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. Cosby Season 1 Episode 21 - I'm OK, You're Hilton
    7.8/10(21 votes)

    S1:E21

    Pressed by Ruth to address his ""unusual behavior,"" Hilton enters group therapy. Bad idea. Now he misbehaves by counseling an old crony, who promptly loses his job.

    Director:John Whitesell
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. Cosby Season 2 Episode 1 - About My Life
    7.8/10(18 votes)

    S2:E1

    The walls come tumbling down this year for Hilton Lucas more ways than one. First, there's the so-called ""fourth wall,"" the theatrical term for the imaginary line that separates actors from the audience. Starting with tonight's second-season opener, Cosby crosses that line as Hilton addresses viewers, takes them into his confidence and even mugs at the camera over plot developments. And he's got a lot to react to, beginning with two new tenants. Daughter Erica moves back home; and neighbor Griffin loses his shirt in a record deal and takes up residence in the Lucas attic, which he begins to renovate. There goes another wall. After Hilton encourages Erica and Griffin to ""take risks and pursue their dreams,"" they do just that and the results become Hilton's nightmare. Erica quits her high-paying job at the law firm and moves home to save money and study to become a chef, and Griffin has to move into the Lucas attic after a business deal goes bad -- forcing him to rent out the lovely hous

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. Cosby Season 2 Episode 2 - Wake up and Smell the Coffeehouse
    7.8/10(20 votes)

    S2:E2

    By chance, Hilton brings Erica's freshly baked chocolate chip cookies to the struggling flower shop for Ruth and Pauline to enjoy and, just as he's setting out the coffee, strangers approach and ask to buy the goodies. This gives Hilton an idea and, much to Ruth and Pauline's dismay, he invests in a super-deluxe, super-expensive espresso machine, forces Erica to wake-up in the middle of the night to bake cookies, and turns what was an ordinary florist shop into The Flower Cafe.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. Cosby Season 2 Episode 8 - Dating Games
    7.8/10(26 votes)

    S2:E8

    When Ruth's snobbish sister-in law Debra throws an engagement party for her daughter, Hilton and Ruth try to steal some of Debra's thunder. They arrange for Erica to bring a handsome date to the party, but they get some unexpected results. When the night of the big engagement party finally arrives, Erica discovers that the date she chose for Erica, Philip, has turned from the choir boy she knew into a funky rapper. Hilton is surprised to find that Arthur, his candidate, is now a bicycle repairman. But Debra is the most shocked of all when her picture perfect evening has a not-so-perfect ending. Meanwhile, Griffin makes some serious moves on his date, Tammy, a young woman trying to get over a broken heart.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. Cosby Season 2 Episode 19 - Enter Lucas
    7.8/10(19 votes)

    S2:E19

    Pauline tries her hand at playwriting for a course she's taking at the community center. Following Hilton's advice about writing about something ""real,"" she turns out a thinly-disguised comedy about the Lucas family. Hilton is the only one who can't see who the lead character is based on - until he volunteers to play the part on stage. Broadway veteran Philip Bosco is Pauline's flamboyant playwriting teacher, who casts Hilton in her comedy as a sarcastic, irascible coot. Talk about typecasting....

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. Cosby Season 3 Episode 9 - Judgment Day
    7.8/10(24 votes)

    S3:E9

    Hilton's steaming when a klutzy customer spills coffee on her dress, admits it's her own fault---and then sues the Flower Cafe for $3000.

    Director:Don Scardino
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. Cosby Season 3 Episode 16 - A Very Nice Dance
    7.8/10(19 votes)

    S3:E16

    Hilton and Ruth recall their first date many years ago. Their flashbacks are done through animated sequences, and of course, both of them have widely different versions of what happened.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. Cosby Season 4 Episode 12 - The Hilton Hilton
    7.8/10(14 votes)

    S4:E12

    Darien's late arrival to an important family dinner causes a fight between Hilton and Ruth.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. Cosby Season 1 Episode 23 - My Dinner with Methuselah
    7.7/10(20 votes)

    S1:E23

    A befuddled old gent from the neighborhood stops by Hilton's to borrow a video cassette and, as fate would have it, winds up on a blind date with Pauline.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. Cosby Season 2 Episode 3 - The Rules
    7.7/10(17 votes)

    S2:E3

    When Hilton realizes that Griffin and Erica's friends are taking over his house -- watching his television and eating all his food, he decides that if they live in his house, Griffin and Erica will have to live by his rules. Reluctantly, Griffin and Erica agree to abide by Hilton's strict new set of house rules, including Rule #5 -- thou shall not alloweth men upstairs. So when Erica's boyfriend, Julius (guest star Darryl M. Bell, reprising the role), shows up in her bedroom, Erica attempts to keep it a secret from her father. Meanwhile, Hilton is busy on a mission to kill a stray mouse -- although Julius mistakenly believes that he is the target of Hilton's assassination plans.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. Cosby Season 4 Episode 17 - Perfect Valentine
    7.7/10(15 votes)

    S4:E17

    Griffin's inablity to deal with the return of his estranged father, who abandoned him 15 years earlier, causes problems in his relationship with Rebecca.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  25. Cosby Season 4 Episode 18 - A Pair of Threes Beats a Flush Every Time
    7.7/10(17 votes)

    S4:E18

    Hilton discovers that a former high school buddy is now homeless.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Best Episodes Summary

"One for the Books" is the best rated episode of "Cosby". It scored 9.2/10 based on 31 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 12/22/1999. This episode scored 0.8 points higher than the second highest rated, "Older and Out".