The Cosby Show
Season 5
1988 • 25 Episodes
Episodes
1. Together Again and Again
October 6, 1988
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 13, 1988
Cliff prepares for a physical.
3. Rudy's All-Nighter
October 20, 1988
Rudy's friend sleeps over.
4. Move It (a.k.a. The Baby Game)
October 27, 1988
Everyone wants pregnant Sondra and Elvin to find a new house. Elvin's surname, Tibideaux, is revealed.
5. Out of Brooklyn
November 3, 1988
Denise leaves Brooklyn for a job in Africa.
6. The Birth
November 10, 1988
Sondra goes into labor, and Elvin is a nervous wreck. 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.
7. Cyranoise de Bergington
November 17, 1988
Theo wants to date his friend Howard's ex-girlfriend, but he is stunned upon learning who she wants to date.
8. How Do You Get to Carnegie Hall?
December 1, 1988
Vanessa, Janet and Kara want to be professional singers; Russell wins a prize in a sweepstakes, which turns out to be a toaster.
9. If the Dress Fits, Wear It
December 8, 1988
Clair secretly goes on a crash diet and exercise program to lose five pounds in a week so she can fit into a dress.
10. Is There a Hamster in the House?
December 15, 1988
Rudy takes care of a friend's hamster for the weekend.
11. Truth or Consequences
January 5, 1989
Rudy lies to cover for Vanessa, who secretly goes out on a date with her older boyfriend.
12. Cliff Babysits
January 12, 1989
Cliff babysits Winnie and Nelson when the rest of the family goes to see a Michael Jackson concert.
13. Mrs. Huxtable Goes to Kindergarten
January 26, 1989
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.
14. The Lost Weekend
February 2, 1989
With the rest of the family gone for the night, Theo throws a "small" party that gets out of control.
15. No Way, Baby
February 6, 1989
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.
16. Can I Say Something, Please?
February 9, 1989
Rudy wants to change some of her rules.
17. The Dead End Kids Meet Dr. Lotus
February 16, 1989
Theo consults a voodoo shopkeeper for advice on winning his girlfriend back.
18. The Boys of Winter
February 23, 1989
Cliff's old basketball friend comes to visit.
19. It Comes and It Goes
March 9, 1989
Sondra bemoans taking care of the twins.
20. Theo's Women
March 16, 1989
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.
21. Birthday Blues
March 30, 1989
Clair's 46th birthday.
22. A Room With No View
April 13, 1989
Vanessa and Rudy argue and fight. After the sisters do physical damage to the house, Cliff exiles them to the basement.
23. What He Did for Love
April 27, 1989
Theo's friend Denny finds an expensive watch and gives it to his girlfriend, but it is soon revealed to be stolen merchandise.
24. Day of the Locusts
May 4, 1989
Sondra comes down with strep throat, prompting her mother Clair and Elvin's mother Francine to "steal" the babies.
25. 57 Varieties
May 11, 1989
Theo wants to go to Egypt for an archaeological dig.