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The Bill Cosby Show

Season 1 · 26 episodes · Sep 14, 1969

  1. Episode 1

    The Fatal Phone Call

    Sep 14, 1969

    While out jogging, Chet hears the telephone ringing inside a phone booth. He hesitates, but decides to answer. As a result, Chet ends up getting involved in a dispute between an auto mechanic and his wife. In an interesting twist, a case of mistaken identity in which Chet is involved brings this episode to a close. Vic Tayback guest stars as Calvin the mechanic.

  2. Episode 2

    Lullaby and Goodnight

    Sep 21, 1969

    Chet is having difficulty sleeping at night, due to the new neighbor across the street who's dog won't stop barking.

  3. Episode 3

    The Best Hook Shot in the World

    Sep 28, 1969

    A short, but talented youngster with an unusual hook shot is determined to make the Holmes High School basketball team, where Chet is coach. He makes the team, after defeating Chet in a game of one on one. It's the day of the big game, Chet and the team pin their hopes on the little guy and his hook shot to win the game.

  4. Episode 4

    A Girl Named Punkin

    Oct 5, 1969

    Chet does volunteer work for the local community center, a place for underpriviledged children. He is having problems with Punkin, a young girl who is unresponsive and stays to herself. Chet eventually breaks through, and Punkin comes around. A touching scene where Chet tells Punkin a bedtime story and teaches her a lesson in love and caring at the same time is the high point of this episode.

  5. Episode 5

    Rules is Rules

    Oct 12, 1969

    Chet goes to great lengths to obtain a valve needle which he needs in order to inflate basketballs for his gym class.

  6. Episode 6

    Let X Equal a Lousy Weekend

    Oct 26, 1969

    When Chet is forced to fill in as a substitute algebra teacher, he comes across a word problem that he is unable to solve for the class. So, he spends most of his weekend trying to find the solution.

  7. Episode 7

    To Kincaid, with Love

    Nov 2, 1969

    Chet is receiving attention from a female student of the high school. He thinks she has a crush on him, but the girl is actually trying to set Chet up with her mother.

  8. Episode 8

    The Killer Instinct

    Nov 9, 1969

    Chet is having problems with a proud father who insists that his son make the high school football team. Trouble is, the kid just doesn't have what it takes and is not cut out to play football.

  9. Episode 9

    The Substitute

    Nov 16, 1969

    Chet starts dating a substitute teacher from the high school, and has difficulty finding time to spend alone with her.

  10. Episode 10

    Brotherly Love

    Nov 23, 1969

    Chet's brother Brian moves in with Chet after having an argument with his wife. Brian spoils Chet's plans for the evening, then hilarity ensues when they attempt to sleep in the same bed together.

  11. Episode 11

    Going the Route

    Nov 30, 1969

    Chet's nephew is in bed with a cold. Chet is asked and agrees to substitute for his nephew in the morning paper route.

  12. Episode 12

    A Word from Our Sponsor

    Dec 7, 1969

    A chance encounter on the street leads Chet to try out, and eventually to get hired, for a job playing an athletic coach in a breakfast cereal television commercial. Chet discovers, however, that shooting 30 seconds of film isn't as simple as it appears when the final product is seen on television.

  13. Episode 13

    A Christmas Ballad

    Dec 21, 1969

    Chet helps a down on his luck old timer capture the spirit of Christmas. Rex Ingram guest stars.

  14. Episode 14

    Home Remedy

    Dec 28, 1969

    Chet is home with a cold, and is unable to rest because all his relatives come over offering their cure-alls and remedies.

  15. Episode 15

    Growing Growing Grown

    Jan 4, 1970

    Chet is asked to chaperone at a high school dance. Chet's car is not available, he ends up borrowing his brothers garbage truck to drive his date to the dance. At the dance, Chet teaches one student a lesson in the importance of physical appearance.

  16. Episode 16

    The Elevator Doesn't Stop Here Anymore

    Jan 11, 1970

    Chet gets stuck inside an elevator at the high school along with one other faculty member and the school's cleaning lady. They entertain each other until help arrives. Henry Fonda and Elsa Lanchester guest star in this episode.

  17. Episode 17

    Lover's Quarrel

    Jan 18, 1970

    Chet tries to get his ever arguing aunt and uncle to stop fighting and treat each other with kindness and respect. Veteran actors Mantan Moreland and Jackie ""Moms"" Mabley guest star and give classic performances as the bickering old couple.

  18. Episode 18

    The Worst Crook That Ever Lived

    Jan 25, 1970

    Chet is asked to help straighten out Raymond, a youngster who has a penchant for stealing. In an effort to keep Raymond out of trouble, Chet finds a spot for him on his little league baseball team. But Raymond steals the money that Chet had saved up which was intended to buy uniforms for the team. In the end, Raymond realizes what he did was wrong and returns the money to Chet.

  19. Episode 19

    The Gumball Incident

    Feb 1, 1970

    Chet is wrongfully accused and arrested for breaking a gumball machine. Tom Bosley guest stars as Cookie Maharg.

  20. Episode 20

    Goodbye Cruel World

    Feb 8, 1970

    Wally Cox guest stars in this episode as a shy man lacking in self confidence. With Chet's help, he builds up the nerve to ask a woman out on a date. She rejects him, and he wants to commit suicide. Chet helps to restore the man's confidence and self esteem.

  21. Episode 21

    Driven to Distraction

    Feb 15, 1970

    Drivers ed instructor Chet tries to teach a nervous student how to drive. Very funny episode.

  22. Episode 22

    The Blind Date

    Mar 1, 1970

    Chet reluctantly agrees to go on a blind date, and ends up falling in love. Cicely Tyson guest stars as Chet's love interest.

  23. Episode 23

    How You Play the Game

    Mar 8, 1970

    Chet is in the running for the city handball championship. He defeats his semi-final opponent, using psychological tactics. In the final match however, Chet has the tables turned on him and loses the match while being psyched out by his opponent. By losing, Chet teaches a player on the high school football team a lesson in good sportsmanship.

  24. Episode 24

    The Return of Big, Bad, Bubba Bronson

    Mar 22, 1970

    Big Bronson, an old high school classmate of Chet's, is coming to town for a visit. Chet recalls having a past dispute with Bronson, and fears revenge. Chet meets ex prize fighter Hurricane Smith, and asks for some boxing lessons to prepare himself for Bronson's arrival. Lou Gossett guest stars as Hurricane Smith, Don Pedro Colley guest stars as Big Bronson.

  25. Episode 25

    This Mouth Is Rated X

    Mar 29, 1970

    Chet is unsure how to handle one of his basketball players who is constantly letting profanities slip out of his mouth.

  26. Episode 26

    Really Cool

    Apr 5, 1970

    Chet is asked to tell a few stories about his life for a forthcoming article in the Holmes High School newspaper.