Seasons & episodes
S2 · E14Vanessa's Bad Grade 1986-01-16 · 22 min
Vanessa steals a sweater from Denise. The two soon begin to fight. In the end, Rudy's choice of television viewing, the "I Have A Dream" speech, reminds the whole family of what a real problem is. Excerpt from Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech featured at the end of the episode (Originally aired four days before the first observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as a U.S. federal holiday).
S2 · E15Theo and Cockroach 1986-01-30 · 22 min
Theo and his friend Cockroach scheme to pass a test on William Shakespeare's "Macbeth", which neither one has read.
S2 · E16The Dentist 1986-02-02 · 22 min
Peter goes to the dentist, but has Rudy come along for moral support so Peter won't be afraid of the dentist anymore. Danny Kaye (in one of his last appearances) as Dr. Burns, who is also Cliff's dentist.
S2 · E17Play It Again, Russell 1986-02-13 · 22 min
Russell plays in a tribute with the band he played in years ago. Guest appearances by jazz musicians Tito Puente, Art Blakey, Percy Heath, Jimmy Heath, Tommy Flanagan, Eric Gale, Joe Wilder, Carlos Valdes ("Patato"), Bootsie Barnes, and Jimmy Oliver. Slide Hampton provided the audio track for Russell's trombone solos.
S2 · E18A Touch of Wonder 1986-02-20 · 22 min
After his limo collides with Denise's car, Stevie Wonder (appearing as himself) invites the Huxtables to a recording session. Wonder performs "I Just Called to Say I Love You" with Clair and the family. Absent: Sabrina Le Beauf as Sondra Huxtable.
S2 · E19Full House 1986-02-27 · 22 min
After an exhausting midnight shift at the hospital and a night's sleep, all Cliff wants is to read his paper in peace - but the children have taken over every room in the house. Classic scene: Denise's boyfriend sings reggae in front of the living room TV.
S2 · E20Close to Home 1986-03-13 · 22 min
A close friend of Cliff's, played by Samuel E. Wright, is overcome with sadness due to his daughter's recurring drug addiction. His feelings are set off as he observes the close relationship between Cliff, Clair, and Denise, who is his daughter's age.
S2 · E21An Early Spring 1986-03-20 · 22 min
Theo's math teacher has a baby and Cockroach shows a different side. Carl Anthony Payne II as Cockroach. Sonia Braga as Mrs. Westlake. Cockroach's full real name, Walter Bradley, is revealed in this episode (only his first name was previously mentioned).
S2 · E22Theo's Holiday 1986-04-03 · 22 min
After Theo claims that he'll have no problem making it in the "real world", the Huxtables convert their house in the "Real World Apartments" and teach him a lesson about the real world; i.e., needing employment and references to get an apartment, income to get a bank loan, having to pay for his meals, etc. Carl Anthony Payne II as Cockroach.
S2 · E23The Card Game 1986-04-10 · 22 min
Cliff plays pinochle with his father, a former teacher, and a friend. Theo buys a cheap ring for his girlfriend Tanya. Earle Hyman as Russell. Roscoe Lee Browne as Dr. Foster.
S2 · E24Off to the Races 1986-05-08 · 22 min
In a charity run, Cliff races at the Penn Relays with "Tailwind" Turner and -- as apparent payback for the race a year prior -- ends up having to run the final leg against Olympic gold medalist Valerie Brisco-Hooks. Josh Culbreath as Col. Sanford "Tailwind" Turner. Valerie Brisco-Hooks appears as herself. Cameo appearance by Bill Cosby's real wife, Camille Cosby (uncredited).
S2 · E25Denise's Decision 1986-05-15 · 22 min
After much deliberation, Denise chooses the college that she will attend in the fall. Earle Hyman as Russell. Clarice Taylor as Anna.
S3 · E1Bring 'em Back Alive 1986-09-25 · 22 min
The Huxtable house is thrown into chaos after Rudy finds a snake in the basement.
S3 · E2Food for Thought 1986-10-02 · 22 min
Clair challenges Cliff to not eat any salty food for the day. Denise leaves for her freshman year at Hillman College.
S3 · E3Golden Anniversary 1986-10-09 · 22 min
Russell and Anna's 50th wedding anniversary. The family performs James Brown's "I Got the Feelin' " in this sequel to Season 2's "Happy Anniversary".
S3 · E4Man Talk 1986-10-16 · 22 min
Although he has a steady girlfriend, Theo wants to start dating someone else.
S3 · E5Mother, May I? 1986-10-23 · 22 min
After Clair specifically forbids her from wearing make-up, Vanessa, behind her mother’s back, does it anyways.
S3 · E6The March 1986-10-30 · 22 min
Theo writes a report on the March on Washington. But gets a poor grade and is asked to redo his project. Much to his surprise, he learns more about the march from his family than he did from books. Meanwhile, Vanessa is worried about asking a boy to the turn-around dance.
S3 · E7Theo's Flight 1986-11-06 · 22 min
Theo and Cockroach decide they want to learn to fly, but Cliff doesn't want to waste his money on another dream of his son's.
S3 · E8Vanessa's Rich 1986-11-13 · 22 min
Friends call Vanessa a stuck-up, rich girl at school.
S3 · E9Denise Gets a D 1986-11-20 · 22 min
Denise's college career starts with a D, but Denise is too scared to show her parents. Clair needs to rest in bed because of a pinched nerve.
S3 · E10A Girl and Her Dog 1986-12-04 · 22 min
Rudy and Peter find a dog and attempt to take care of it without her parents knowing.
S3 · E11War Stories 1986-12-11 · 22 min
Cliff and his father's friends play a challenging game of cards. Vanessa prepares to go to a skating party with a nervous date, Tyrone.
S3 · E12Cliff in Charge 1986-12-18 · 22 min
Cliff is in charge when Clair leaves for 10 days.