Just be Cos

"The Cosby Show" is such a TV classic that it's hard to believe it's not out on DVD yet (I guess there are some episode collections, but not complete seasons). I've marked my calendar though, the complete first season comes out Aug. 2.

I've been watching the reruns on UPN, and damn, are they enjoyable. I think part of it is that it was just a perfect show, with a top-notch cast and sharp writing, all wrapped up with that great Bill Cosby personality. And part of my love for it surely has to come with the fact that I was in high school when it started airing, and that's now a fun time to remember for me. It's comforting, this great big slice of the '80s, a decade I loved and still hold dear, like going back to an old home after years away. I even still like the clothes -- Bill's famed elaborate sweaters, all the belted, peplum-esque tops, everything Benneton and Esprit and Forenza, everyone dressed in at least 400 bright colors, no one slumping around in all black.

But then again, just reading through some of the IMDB's collected quotes for the show has me laughing all over again. Even the throwaway jokes were funnier than half of what passes for humor on TV today. A few classics:

Theo: Hey dad. Am I really in that much trouble?
Cliff: Let me tell you something. Your mother and I go into the kitchen. You can go out and get in MY car. You can drive BACKWARDS to Coney Island, run over the hot dog man and TWO stop signs and you won't be in any more trouble than you are in now.

Rudy: This is woman stuff. I really need to talk to Mom.
Cliff: I'm a gynecologist, and you want to talk to a lawyer?

Vanessa: Denise pushed us out of the bathroom and Rudy doesn't have all of the shampoo rinsed out of her hair. If she goes blind can we get a dog?

Cliff: No boy should have a $95 shirt unless he is onstage with his four brothers!

[Denise asks Theo if she can borrow some money for a concert]
Theo: Hey, if Dad lets you go, I'll give you five hundred dollars.
Denise: You don't have five hundred dollars!
Theo: Do I look worried?

[Theo has received a "D" and is explaining why he should not be punished]
Theo: I mean, you're a doctor, Dad. And Mom is a lawyer. But I don't love you any more because of that! So if I just want to do something normal with my life, then maybe you should accept it and love me because I'm your son.
Cliff: Theo... that's the dumbest thing I've ever heard in my life! No wonder you get D's in everything! You're afraid to try because you're afraid your brain is going to explode and it's going to ooze out of your ears. Now I'm telling you, you are going to try as hard as you can. And you're going to do it because I said so. I am your father. I brought you into this world, and I'll take you out!