The Cosby Show

The Cosby Show stars Bill Cosby as the witty and often cantankerous Dr. Heathcliff Huxtable. His wife Clair is played by Phylicia Rashad. The couple have five children, four girls and one boy, who range in age from elementary school to college. The show is designed to be humorous, although it does have moments where serious interaction is called for. The stories revolve around the activities of the married couple as well as the interactions with their children. As a couple, Clair is constantly trying to get Cliff to eat healthier foods, while he prefers dining on Hoagies and salty chips.

The balance in the family unit comes primarily from Clair who is a successful lawyer. While Cliff often reacts to what his children say or do with deadpan one liners, Clair steps in to show compassion and diplomacy. The show does touch on several topics related to raising teenagers, which include smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol, sneaking out of the house and teen pregnancy. The show is widely entertaining while also showing the struggles and conflicts families often deal with. The Huxtable family also has extended relatives which show up as Heathcliff's and Clair's parents. These interactions also add humor to the show and bring new perspectives to some of the situations the family deals with.

Heathcliff is a obstetrician who practices out of his Brooklyn brownstone. His office is located on the lower level of the home so he has the opportunity to stay connected with his children while his wife is at work. The interactions between the kids are typical to children of different age groups. Theo, the only boy in the group is often outnumbered by his sisters in many situations. In addition to the various situations the family encounters with each episode, the show also brings a lot of culture to its viewers. Cliff is very fond of jazz and the show often focuses on various musical artists with a special appearance by Stevie Wonder.