COSBY SHOW, THE: THE BIRTH (TV)
Summary
One in this comedy series starring humorist Bill Cosby as Cliff Huxtable, a successful obstetrician with a lawyer wife and five exasperating children.
Cliff comes upon Theo and Justine kissing while studying their philosophy notes. Theo tells Cliff about their fellow student Howard, who is high-achieving academically and has a rigorous study method; Cliff takes a liking to him immediately when he arrives soon thereafter. Howard’s girlfriend Julia arrives, and Theo is quite taken with her, much to Justine’s displeasure. Meanwhile, Sondra approaches the end of her pregnancy, driving Elvin to great concern. She goes into labor in the Huxtable’s kitchen and Elvin, Cliff, and Clair struggle to get her to the hospital. Once there, Elvin has difficulty separating from Sondra and filling out proper paperwork for the hospital front desk. Cliff and Clair wait impatiently at home for news from the hospital. Eventually they decide to go to the hospital anyway. They arrive to find Elvin in the room with Sondra; she is perfectly calm but he is hyperventilating out of nervousness. When Sondra experiences another contraction Cliff finds it hard to resist giving orders to the doctors on staff. Clair throws both of them out so that they do not interfere.
Theo continues working with his study group until Kenny arrives looking for Rudy. She is not in at the moment, but Kenny chooses to stay and observe the study group. He is also smitten with Julia. Their discussion turns to that of gender roles, and Julia and Justine make a point about rampant sexism, using Kenny as an example. Cliff passes the time in the hospital by teaching Elvin the proper way to pick up a baby. However, Elvin doubts his own capabilities as a father owing to his inability to cope with Sondra’s labor. He views Cliff as being a “perfect” father and does not think he will be able to deal with his child, frightened that he will make some grievous mistake. Cliff tries to put his mind at ease and advises him to “go with the flow” and “use common sense.” Elvin is sent in when the birth approaches, and Clair insists to Cliff that they must remain outside of the room despite his objections. They remain in the waiting room for some time, and Cliff becomes nervous, although he insists otherwise. The doctor tells them that they experienced a “false alarm” and that it is not over yet. Sondra asks to see Clair, but Cliff is still not permitted into the room.
Russell and Anna arrive as well, and give advice to Cliff on how to be a grandparent. Julia suggests that they prepare a dinner for Cliff and Clair when they return from the hospital, and Theo seizes upon this idea as a means of impressing her. Julia and Justine allow Theo and Howard to go about the dinner preparations themselves. They get to talking about their respective relationships; Theo admits that while there is “tension” between him and Justine, he likes her but is not sure that he wants to stay with her. Howard says he has noticed Theo ogling Julia. He notes that Julia has said that she is attracted to his intellect rather than his physical appearance, and that he works hard for academic success partially in order to please her. However, he admits that she wants to be in a committed relationship but that he feels he is unready for one.
Elvin’s parents arrive at the hospital, anxious to see their grandchild born. Their discussions are interrupted when Clair comes out and says that the birth has begun. Sondra finally gives birth to her child, a boy, and she and Elvin are elated. The rest of the family finds out and celebrate the birth, and learn some surprising news: Sondra has actually given birth to fraternal twins, thus making her the mother of both a boy and a girl. The doctor says that Sondra and Elvin knew about the twins months ago but wanted to surprise their families. Everyone rushes in to see Sondra and Elvin, and they congratulate her. Elvin describes the experience of holding his children for the first time and is filled with awe. He announces that he has decided to go back to medical school, a decision meeting with approval from both his and Sondra’s parents. Clair goes home to bring Theo and Vanessa to the hospital, and together they see the babies for the first time. Meanwhile, Cliff goes in to speak to Sondra alone; she tells him that they have decided to name the twins “Nelson” and “Winnie.” He gives her advice and she expresses her joy and anticipation at the prospect of raising her children, as well as her love and appreciation for him. He tells her that “good parents are made by good children,” and leaves. Clair and Cliff return home for dinner and recount the day, and Clair becomes emotional while contemplating how she’s seen Sondra progress in her life. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: NBC
- DATE: November 10, 1988 8:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:47:31
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:15455
- GENRE: Comedy
- SUBJECT HEADING: African-American Collection - Comedy; TV - Comedy
- SERIES RUN: NBC - TV series, 1984-1992
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Marcy Carsey … Executive Producer
- Tom Werner … Executive Producer
- John Markus … Co-Executive Producer, Writer
- Carmen Finestra … Supervising Producer, Writer
- Gary Kott … Co-Supervising Producer, Writer
- Terri Guarnieri … Producer
- Matt Robinson … Co-Producer
- Janet Leahy … Co-Producer
- Cissy Bedeian … Associate Producer
- Tony Singletary … Director
- Bill Cosby … Created by, Theme Music by
- Ed Weinberger … Created by
- Michael Leeson … Created by
- Geoffrey Holder … Choreographer
- Stu Gardner … Theme Music by
- James de Priest … Theme Music by
- Oregan Symphony Orchestra, The … Theme Music by
- Bill Cosby … Cast, Dr. Heathcliff "Cliff" Huxtable
- Phylicia Rashad … Cast, Clair Huxtable
- Sabrina LeBeauf … Cast, Sondra
- Geoffrey Owens … Cast, Elvin Tibideaux
- Malcolm-Jamal Warner … Cast, Theodore "Theo" Huxtable
- Tempestt Bledsoe … Cast, Vanessa Huxtable
- Keshia Knight Pulliam … Cast, Rudy Huxtable
- Earle Hyman … Cast, Russell Huxtable
- Clarice Taylor … Cast, Anna Huxtable
- Deon Richmond … Cast, Kenny
- Dennis Scott … Cast, Lester Tibideaux
- Marcella Lowery … Cast, Francine Tibideaux
- Elizabeth Narvaez … Cast, Kara
- Michelle Thomas … Cast, Justine Phillips
- Roy Wilson … Cast, Howard
- Naomi Campbell … Cast, Julia
- Tico Wells … Cast, Dr. Jerry Taylor
- Steven Culp … Cast, Father-to-Be
- Kasi Lemmons … Cast, Miss Mckegney
- Robbi Chong … Cast, Doctor
- Darrian Bryant … Cast, Nelson Tibideaux
- Donovan Bryant … Cast, Nelson Tibideaux
- Colleen Dodson … Cast
- Lisa Gumora … Cast
- Gary Kott … Cast
- Liyako Matsuda … Cast