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What a sad downhill race this show made through

posted 8 years ago by heinolebt
2 replies | jump to latest

I just had the Chance to see this Show again, it was released on DVD in Germany recently (yes, all four seasons). I had no Memory that it ended that bad.
They started good, Cosby was not Cliff at the time. But all of a sudden (when they added the Girl) it was Huxtable all over again.
Then came the Millenium Episode, which was completely useless, there were two rather strange and cheaply made animated episodes, and from then on it became preachy (drugs, diseases, crime). I wonder what got into all of the People in Charge to let this Show die such a Long and painful (for the Viewers) death.
Here in Germany I couldn't any News about this development, so I am still wondering why the whole tone of the Show took such a fatal turn.

[–] carfan2-138-379844 8 years ago

It did go downhill a bit to me after the 3rd season but I always and will always enjoy all of Bill Cosby's work

I'm assuming you're from Germany?

I believe the Millennium Episode you refer to is the one about Y2K. It was a very big deal over here in the States. A Lot of people went way over the top in creating all kinds of scenarios where the world would end and the apocalypse would come. Did you here or read about the guy that buried like 40 busses and made a underground compound. Y2K spurned the work "PREPPERS"

I thought there was only one Animated Episode and it was done in the old style "Cosby Kids" and "Fat Albert" type of animation from the 60's. I liked them.

It is true that yes the adding of "Jurnee" in season 2 added a lot of preachy (drugs, diseases, crime) episodes but it was just a reflection of what was going on in the US at the time. Also the murder of Cosby's son Ennis during the first season probably added to some of the stories. "The Cosby Show" also followed a lot of the preachy story lines but in IMHO done better.

The comedy between Hilton and Griffin will always be a great reason to rewatch many episodes. Although short scenes the "tiny wine" and "wasabi" skits are so funny.

[–] heinolebt 8 years ago

Yes, I'm from Germany. And the "tiny wine" is one of the best bits of the Show (along with the "okra Chutney"), and you are right, the 80's Cosby did the preachy bit much more subtle. The Problem I have with "Cosby" is the fact that it was based on "One foot in the grave", but this fact seemed to be forgotten after a while, and it turned into a low Quality copy of the 80's Show.
The Problem I have with the preachy episodes is the fact that they presented a new character who was in Trouble (drugs etc.) and I simply couldn't relate to this character. He came out of nowhere, had his Problem solved (or not), and disappeared and was never heard of again. I just couldn't care about this Person being a drug addict.
I must say I'm glad that the whole Show was released on DVD in Germany recently (came quite unexpected, especially with Cosby's sex scandal going on), but there are many episodes especially from season 3 and 4 I will definitely not watch again.
Now I can only hope that someone finally Releases "The Cosby Mysteries". :o)