The Cosby Show
On this day, 20 years ago, after 8 seasons and 197 episodes, The Cosby Show aired the final episode on NBC. I want share 10 facts about the show that you might not know.
1. Bill Cosby was initiated into Omega Psi Phi Fraternity through the Beta Alpha Alpha Chapter in White Plains, New York during the 5th season of The Cosby Show.
2. Phylicia Rashad (Clair Huxtable) was pregnant throughout much of the third season. As a result, her scenes were greatly reduced and what little she was used in, she had to hide her condition, such as sitting behind a desk.
3. Earle Hyman (Cliff’s father) is only 11 years older than Bill Cosby (Cliff).
4. Ethel Ayler (Clair’s mother) is only 14 years older than Phylicia Rashad (Clair).
5. Phylicia Rashad (Clair) is only 10 years older than Sabrina Le Beauf (Sondra, the eldest Huxtable daughter).
6. 26-year-old Sabrina Le Beauf got the role of Sondra, over 21-year-old Whitney Houston. Le Beauf’s theater experience won her the role. When creating the character of Sondra, the Huxtable’s eldest daughter, it was decided that there should be another child that represented the results of a good upbringing, hence a daughter in college.
7. Rudy was originally going to be a son, but when a suitable boy could not be found, girls were allowed to audition.
8. The character of Cliff Huxtable was ranked first in TV Guide’s list of the 50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time.
9. Bill Cosby insisted that the show be filmed in New York due to his dislike of working in Hollywood.
10. The show was initially rejected by ABC but later picked up NBC where it became a huge success.
