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Season 5 Plot

The fifth season of The Cosby Show aired on NBC from October 6, 1988 to May 11, 1989.

The Cosby Show Season 5 aired on October 6th, 1988.

Watch 'The Cosby Show' Season 5 Online

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Season 5 Episodes

1. Together Again and Again

October 6th, 198822 min

As Theo begins his freshman year at New York University, Denise announces that she is dropping out of Hillman College. Sondra is revealed to be pregnant. First mention of Cliff's theory that the children keep returning home because "they want the house."

2. The Physical

October 13th, 198822 min

Cliff prepares for a physical. John Amos as Dr. Bradley Herbert, Jr.

3. Rudy's All-Nighter

October 20th, 198822 min

Rudy's friend sleeps over.

4. Move It (a.k.a. The Baby Game)

October 27th, 198822 min

Everyone wants pregnant Sondra and Elvin to find a new house. Elvin's surname, Tibideaux, is revealed.

5. Out of Brooklyn

November 3rd, 198822 min

Denise leaves Brooklyn for a job in Africa (Lisa Bonet's last appearance of Season 5).

6. The Birth (1)

November 10th, 198822 min

Sondra goes into labor, and Elvin is a nervous wreck. Deon Richmond as Kenny. Michelle Thomas as Justine. First appearances of Reno Wilson as Howard, and Elizabeth Narvaez as Kara. Guest appearance by Naomi Campbell.

7. The Birth (2)

November 10th, 198822 min

Sondra gives birth to twins—a boy and a girl—who are named after Nelson Mandela and his then-wife Winnie. Elvin decides to return to medical school.

8. Cyranoise de Bergington

November 17th, 198822 min

Theo wants to date his friend Howard's ex-girlfriend, but he is stunned upon learning who she wants to date. Troy Winbush as Denny. Reno Wilson as Howard.

9. How Do You Get to Carnegie Hall?

December 1st, 198822 min

Vanessa, Janet and Kara want to be professional singers; Russell wins a prize in a sweepstakes, which turns out to be a toaster. Pam Potillo as Janet. Elizabeth Narvaez as Kara. Guest appearance by singer Betty Carter.

10. If the Dress Fits, Wear It

December 8th, 198822 min

Clair secretly goes on a crash diet and exercise program to lose five pounds in a week so she can fit into a dress. Appearance by Debbie Allen; voice-over by Ahmad Rashād (Phylicia Rashād's sister and husband).

11. Is There a Hamster in the House?

December 15th, 198822 min

Rudy takes care of a friend's hamster for the weekend.

12. Truth or Consequences

January 5th, 198922 min

Rudy lies to cover for Vanessa, who secretly goes out on a date with her older boyfriend.

13. Cliff Babysits

January 12th, 198922 min

Cliff babysits Winnie and Nelson when the rest of the family goes to see a Michael Jackson concert.

14. Mrs. Huxtable Goes to Kindergarten

January 26th, 198922 min

Clair appears as a panelist on a local Sunday morning talk show entitled "Retrospective". Clair buys a new couch and Cliff tries to keep the old one. Clair's law firm is identified as Greentree, Bradley & Dexter.

15. The Lost Weekend

February 2nd, 198922 min

With the rest of the family gone for the night, Theo throws a "small" party that gets out of control. Troy Winbush as Denny. Reno Wilson as Howard. First appearance of Alex Ruiz as Lou. Cameo appearance by Joie Lee. Phylicia Rashād (Clair), Malcolm-Jamal Warner (Theo), Tempestt Bledsoe (Vanessa), and Elizabeth Narvaez (Kara) appear on the episode of A Different World which airs later that evening.

16. No Way, Baby

February 6th, 198922 min

Cliff tracks down the grandfather of one of his patients: an expectant teenage mother with no other family. Clair deduces that the charming man is illiterate. Guest appearance by Sammy Davis, Jr.

17. Can I Say Something, Please?

February 9th, 198922 min

Rudy wants to change some of her rules. Voice-over by Ed McMahon (from The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson).

18. The Dead End Kids Meet Dr. Lotus

February 16th, 198922 min

Theo consults a voodoo shopkeeper for advice on winning his girlfriend back. Troy Winbush as Denny. Reno Wilson as Howard. Alex Ruiz as Lou. Michelle Thomas as Justine. Guest appearances by Moses Gunn and Harold Perrineau.

19. The Boys of Winter

February 23rd, 198922 min

Cliff's old basketball friend comes to visit. Guest appearance by U.S. Senator (and former NBA basketball player) Bill Bradley.

20. It Comes and It Goes

March 9th, 198922 min

Sondra bemoans taking care of the twins.

21. Theo's Women

March 16th, 198922 min

After catching Theo kissing another woman in the lounge of her dormitory, Justine breaks up with him. Desperate to win her back, Theo turns to Cliff for advice. Michelle Thomas as Justine. First appearance of Vanessa A. Williams as Jade.

22. Birthday Blues

March 30th, 198922 min

Clair's 46th birthday.

23. A Room With No View

April 13th, 198922 min

Vanessa and Rudy argue and fight. After the sisters do physical damage to the house, Cliff exiles them to the basement.

24. What He Did for Love

April 27th, 198922 min

Theo's friend Denny finds an expensive watch and gives it to his girlfriend, but it is soon revealed to be stolen merchandise. Troy Winbush as Denny. Alex Ruiz as Lou. Vanessa A. Williams as Jade.

25. Day of the Locusts

May 4th, 198922 min

Sondra comes down with strep throat, prompting her mother Clair and Elvin's mother Francine to "steal" the babies.

26. 57 Varieties

May 11th, 198922 min

Theo wants to go to Egypt for an archaeological dig. Reno Wilson as Howard. Alex Ruiz as Lou. Deon Richmond as Kenny.

All Seasons

Season 8

Season 8

Sep 19, 1991
Season 7

Season 7

Sep 20, 1990
Season 6

Season 6

Sep 21, 1989
Season 5

Season 5

Oct 6, 1988
Season 4

Season 4

Sep 24, 1987
Season 3

Season 3

Sep 25, 1986
Season 2

Season 2

Sep 26, 1985
Season 1

Season 1

Sep 20, 1984
Specials

Specials

May 19, 2002