Cliff et Claire sont furieux quand Théo revient de l'école avec 4 « D » sur son carnet de note. Théo dit alors à ses parents qu'il n'a nullement l'intention de continuer ses études et de rentrer en fac. Le couple est également inquiet de la relation qu'entretient Denise, leur grande fille, avec un jeune homme au passé « douteux »...

When Rudy's pet fish, Lamont, dies, Cliff tries to bring the family together for a funeral in the bathroom. The festivities end when Rudy gets bored and leaves to watch TV.

Vanessa claims that she is old enough to watch a scary movie, but Cliff still forbids it. Vanessa sneaks out anyway, but ends up having nightmares as a result.

Freshman Theo tries out for the football team and makes it. Cliff is overjoyed, but his pride falters when he discovers his son will never be a star. Theo, however, is just happy being on the team.

Theo wants to impress a girl by wearing an expensive shirt by designer Gordon Gartrelle. Since Cliff and Clair will not pay for it, Denise offers to make a copy of the shirt for him. Guest appearance by Kadeem Hardison, who years later would portray Dwayne Wayne on the Cosby Show spinoff, A Different World.

Cliff's father, Russell, pays a visit and begins questioning Cliff about the kids' college choices. He asks Denise about Hillman, his and Cliff's alma mater. Denise is dead-set against it at first, until Russell tells her that the males outnumber the females there. First appearance of Earle Hyman as Russell Huxtable, Cliff's father.

While Clair cares for a friend's baby, she begins to consider having another. Cliff desperately tries to talk her out of it, claiming that babies are "false advertising." Clair's mother, Carrie, then reminds her that the older you are when you have kids, the older you'll be if they end up having to come back and live at home. First appearance of Ethel Ayler as Carrie Hanks, Clair's mother.

Le récital musical de Vanessa est dans trois jours et elle n'arrive pas à sortir une note de sa clarinette.

Denise has a new boyfriend, David, but is reluctant to bring him home. She fears that Cliff will, like always, make fun of the boy and ruin her chances with him. Cliff and Clair are initially impressed with David until he expresses some unwanted opinions about medicine and the law at dinner. Kristoff St. John plays boyfriend David.

Sondra, the eldest Huxtable child makes her first appearance when she visits home for Thanksgiving. She plans on going to Paris for the summer, and hopes that her parents will support the decision.

Clair is exhausted from constantly caring for the children. Cliff decides to take her out on the town for "You're Not a Mother Night." They go to a fancy restaurant and hotel. While there, some of Clair's motherly instincts start kicking in-but they stop in time for a romantic evening.

Clair could be named partner at her law firm if an interview goes well-but Rudy is sick! Cliff vows to take care of her while Clair works, and engages in some unique doctoring methods. Clair is named partner and Rudy is fine by the end.

Cliff complains about the poor quality of his annual Father's Day gifts. He challenges the children to find some better presents for a December Father's Day. They give him thoughtful-if not quite attractive-presents.

Theo gets his ear pierced to impress a girl, but Denise thinks it might be infected. She is correct, and Theo must go to Cliff. Cliff hopes that Grandpa Huxtable will punish Theo, but the old man instead relates the story of how Cliff tried to slick back his hair to impress Clair, but ended up burning it off! Russell brags, and Anna reminds him of the time that he had a tattoo of her name placed on his chest, but ended up with a huge scar on his chest when he tried to remove it after Anna found out he was actually trying to impress another girl! First appearance of Clarice Taylor as Anna Huxtable, Cliff's mother.

Cliff is set to receive an important award, but a woman goes into labor right before the ceremony. Theo delivers his speech for him. Aleta Mitchell as Mrs. Randall, Elisa de la Roche as Nurse, Sheldon Leonard as Dr. Wexler

Cliff danse le charleston dans le salon avec sa femme afin de s'entraîner pour la soirée qu'ils vont passer avec leurs amis.

Cliff et Clair découvrent un joint de marijuana dans le livre d'école de Théo. Ils cherchent qui a voulu le faire accuser.

Vanessa est dans une nouvelle classe pour les forts en science. Elle rend son premier devoir et s'attend à obtenir une bonne note, comme avant, mais les autres élèves ont un meilleur niveau et sa première note est décevante.

Sondra s'est fait voler par un garagiste malhonnête, Eddie, le roi de l'auto. Clair, furieuse, le mène devant la justice pour rétablir le bon droit de sa fille...

Vingt-cinq ans après, l'ancien entraîneur de Cliff à l'université d'Hillman lui offre la chance de prendre sa revanche contre Turner, de l'université de Norton, qui avait été sa seule défaite.

Claire brûlait d'envie de connaître Nikki, une femme avec laquelle un ami de Cliff a refait sa vie après son veuvage. Mais qu'elle n'est pas sa surprise quand elle découvre que l'heureuse élue est très jeune...

Cliff tente d'amuser les enfants et va jusqu'à les faire monter sur son dos, pendant que Claire participe à un séminaire...

Cliff essaie vainement de savoir quel sera son cadeau d'anniversaire. Quant à Claire, elle organise une soirée pour toute la famille...