The Cosby Show was famous for changing its opening credits sequence every season. Season Five’s opening is unique because it is the only time throughout the series’ run that the entire cast is shown dancing together. The music was performed by the Oregon Symphony Orchestra, and the choreography was courtesy of Trinidadian-born actor, dancer, director and singer Geoffrey Holder. Many Baby Boomers remember Holder as the “Uncola Man” spokesman for 7-Up.
Presto Jenkins True. It was an excerpt copied and pasted from something else I was reading. It was really to highlight Geoffrey Holder, my fellow countryman.
This version of the show theme was conducted by a wonderful maestro named James DePriest, who for years was the director and head conductor of the Oregon Symphony. We lost Mr. DePriest today (2-8-2013), so when you watch this, remember what joy this man brought to the classical music genre and the symphony orchestras he worked for. Rest in peace, Maestro. Your music will indeed play on.
I disagree. I think this was the hit show in the 80s. "Family Matters" was never as famous, though Urkel is a famous symbol, but Cosby was bigger in the ratings. The only one people really know in Family Matters is Jaleel White. That's a blockbuster name. But everyone knows the "Cosby" gang, Bill, Malcolm Jamal Warner, Raven-Simone, Jasmine Guy. Same with "Fresh Prince" - Will is probably the only one people know, and perhaps Tatiana Ali.
WAY before Friends and Seinfeld, this was NBC's "MUST SEE TV" on Thursday nights. The ratings speak for themselves...best family sitcom of all time, hands down.
Those shows would take over Cosby and A Different World's timeslots. The real Must-See-TV was: (1984-1986) 8 PM: Cosby Show 8:30 PM: Family Ties 9 PM: Cheers 9:30 PM: Night Court 10 PM: Hill Street Blues (1987-1990) 8 PM: Cosby Show 8:30 PM: A Different World 9 PM: Cheers 9:30 PM: something funny 10 PM: L.A. Law (1994-95ish) 8 PM: Martin 8:30: Living Single 9 PM: New York Undercover (Wasn't nobody watching NBC around the first two hours, bro) 10 PM: ER
@@Hypno-Swag I agree with him about Friends but Seinfeld is dope. And it's just his opinion he never said that everybody thought they sucked. He's entitled to what he thinks, damn lol.
@@drummingdanny84 On Fridays it was all about TGIF with Full House, Perfect Strangers, Family Matters etc. Then later Hangin with Mr. Cooper, Boy Meets World and Dinosaurs joined the line up. And then NBC was lit on Saturday nights with 227, Amen, Golden Girls, Empty Nest and Hunter. Those were the days when you and the fam sat down and watched for two hours. It was appointment tv! Now we ain't got line ups worth a damn and most people don't watch tv like that because most of it is trash.
juice9100 I know I wasn't back in the 80s and 90s but my mom showed me some seasons in the 2000s and I really love this show, I think it's really amazing family show!!
This is personally my favorite opening. I love all the bright colors, and how everyone looked so happy. This show is truly missed now-a-days. Now, they make shows out of anything and everything to make a quick buck.
This was the best opening of the entire series, but all their openings were good. It's just that this one has always stuck out in my mind the most. Very memorable.
Bill Cosby is seen in a shadow hiding his head in his shirt and begins to dance, next Phylicia Rashad comes out, and then Sabrina Lebeauf, then Gefforey Owens, then Malcolm Jamal-Warner and then Tempestt Bledsoe. Once they line up the long way down in order, Keisha Knight Pulliam is the last one to come out and join them that the entire cast members are waving their arms and dance together.
Love reading all the comments citing this opening sequence apart from all the others of Cosby: it's half-classical orchestra and half Hollywood musical with all the tropical colors, costumes, and choreography. Well done. And the kids are really growing up from here on in!!
I think this season's theme is my favorite. I remember getting somewhat excited at the beginning of each season to see how they would rework the theme song.
Oh, what a time to be alive. I miss looking forward to the next season....Who am I kidding. I was 3 and I didn't even realize it until I was older and the series was done. Good job, still
Still amazing after all these years! I recall thinking when this first aired that this was the most brilliant show opening ever filmed......... Wonderful stuff.
I still remember waiting anxiously by the television to see what the new intro was going to be in 1988. I miss the days when the fall season meant a new teacher, new grade, new Saturday morning cartoons, and new Cosby Show intro.
this is definetly my favorite opening out of all of them. i love the music, the dancing, the clothes and the fact that they're all barefoot is just too cute
This was always my favorite. I've seen a great deal of negativity about it on the internet, and was very surprised. I always thought it was the most awesome of the intros.
Season six and seven had the same opening intros, except one of the seasons Cosby says at the end "This is the best elevator music I ever hard" and the other one he didn't.
This opening was always my favorite. I liked the way the music sounded and the cast looked they were having fun with the dance squence. During the 1987 season I knew I was in for something special when I tuned into NBC for The Cosby Show.
W/out commenting on Bill Cosby’s current status (unless ur from another planet we all know it) this intro from the 1988-89 season was by far my favorite opening. The music is simply beautiful & the choreography & the costumes are spot on.. .👍🏾
This must have been the hardest opening ever to do on The Cosby Show because all of the moves that were done by everyone must have taken a long time to get right. But it came out very nicely! 5 stars!!!!!
I was nine years old when the series started using this opening sequence. Those hand waves at 0:24 seriously gave me “Romper Room” vibes, as if the cast could see me through my TV set and was welcoming me and America. I miss those simple days of seven antenna networks and no video call or social media platforms, when life was so pure and we were entertained more easily without our illusions being destroyed.
No, this opening was supposed to be reminiscent of the old Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals. The choreographer was Geoffrey Holder. Depending upon your age, you'll remember him as Nelson from "Boomerang", Punjab from "Annie", or the Uncola Man from the 7-Up commercials in the 1970s.
Probably THE best TV theme song ever....or at least, the most musically inclined. Just listen to it....this version was so musically tight, symphonically. It was like they were planting the flag on American TV, saying "WE run the ratings game now." They we're no longer on the come-up...they WERE "THAT SHOW" in America by the time this dropped. Wow. Wish I was still arranging...I would've DEFINITELY took a swing at this three years ago had I heard this back then.
Instead of Bill Cosby dancing along with his cast members one by one like he did in the previous opening sequences, Bill Cosby has the whole entire cast members dancing together to the music in one spot. The cast are all seen at the end of credits dancing to the music as the producer credits appear, at the end whole cast fan their hands over Bill Cosby's face and then they quickly take their hands away from his face as he smiles and looks into the camera before the sequence fades to black
HEHE the best part is the beginning with the silhouettes and Bill Cosby's summoning his whole family. I hope this is how their family meetings start. SO AWESOME!!
Malcolm said, he didn't like season 5 opening, that it was the first time they did the opening as a group, he said he likes the individual openings better.
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This was always my favorite opening. It's very imaginative.
The Cosby Show was famous for changing its opening credits sequence every season. Season Five’s opening is unique because it is the only time throughout the series’ run that the entire cast is shown dancing together. The music was performed by the Oregon Symphony Orchestra, and the choreography was courtesy of Trinidadian-born actor, dancer, director and singer Geoffrey Holder. Many Baby Boomers remember Holder as the “Uncola Man” spokesman for 7-Up.
Presto Jenkins True. It was an excerpt copied and pasted from something else I was reading. It was really to highlight Geoffrey Holder, my fellow countryman.
You are so right
Neva had it... Hahahaaaaa... Neva will!
I didn't care for season 5 opening , my favorite was season 2
Great information. This also was my favorite.. Geoffrey Holder was in Boomerang played the perverted guy lol.
This version of the show theme was conducted by a wonderful maestro named James DePriest, who for years was the director and head conductor of the Oregon Symphony. We lost Mr. DePriest today (2-8-2013), so when you watch this, remember what joy this man brought to the classical music genre and the symphony orchestras he worked for.
Rest in peace, Maestro. Your music will indeed play on.
What else do you know about this arrangement it feels familiar yet different( was it only written for the show or is it a part of a bigger piece?)
This was the masterpiece of black art on television.
Hands down the best opening of this show
Don't say "hands down" knowing what We know now
5 and 6/7 were what I knew the most.
Season 6/7 too :)
My favorite opening of the Cosby Show
I like this because of the orchestration!
My favorite opening of the Cosby Show.
this show will never be as popular as family matters lol
I disagree. I think this was the hit show in the 80s. "Family Matters" was never as famous, though Urkel is a famous symbol, but Cosby was bigger in the ratings.
The only one people really know in Family Matters is Jaleel White. That's a blockbuster name. But everyone knows the "Cosby" gang, Bill, Malcolm Jamal Warner, Raven-Simone, Jasmine Guy. Same with "Fresh Prince" - Will is probably the only one people know, and perhaps Tatiana Ali.
never cared for this opening , I liked season 2's opening
My fav is season 6
Choreography by Geoffrey Holder ❤️❤️❤️❤️
It blows my mind that this wasn't used for a Cosby Show Movie. It's just so epic!
WAY before Friends and Seinfeld, this was NBC's "MUST SEE TV" on Thursday nights. The ratings speak for themselves...best family sitcom of all time, hands down.
Both of those shows sucked very overrated was not funny at all
Those shows would take over Cosby and A Different World's timeslots. The real Must-See-TV was:
(1984-1986)
8 PM: Cosby Show
8:30 PM: Family Ties
9 PM: Cheers
9:30 PM: Night Court
10 PM: Hill Street Blues
(1987-1990)
8 PM: Cosby Show
8:30 PM: A Different World
9 PM: Cheers
9:30 PM: something funny
10 PM: L.A. Law
(1994-95ish)
8 PM: Martin
8:30: Living Single
9 PM: New York Undercover
(Wasn't nobody watching NBC around the first two hours, bro)
10 PM: ER
@kobrathadon4956 Awards beg to differ. Your one incorrect opinion isn't a fact.
@@Hypno-Swag I agree with him about Friends but Seinfeld is dope. And it's just his opinion he never said that everybody thought they sucked. He's entitled to what he thinks, damn lol.
@@drummingdanny84
On Fridays it was all about TGIF with Full House, Perfect Strangers, Family Matters etc. Then later Hangin with Mr. Cooper, Boy Meets World and Dinosaurs joined the line up. And then NBC was lit on Saturday nights with 227, Amen, Golden Girls, Empty Nest and Hunter.
Those were the days when you and the fam sat down and watched for two hours. It was appointment tv! Now we ain't got line ups worth a damn and most people don't watch tv like that because most of it is trash.
Good memories. Black tv shows from the 80s & 90s were the best. Best Cosby show opening though.
juice9100 I know I wasn't back in the 80s and 90s but my mom showed me some seasons in the 2000s and I really love this show, I think it's really amazing family show!!
I Wonder They Would've Had Put it on N u remember the N.
@@amobiuzukwu3231 don't remember the N
Wait you're leaving out the 70s!!!!
@@drdfilm what were some from the 70s? The Jeffersons probably
This is personally my favorite opening. I love all the bright colors, and how everyone looked so happy. This show is truly missed now-a-days. Now, they make shows out of anything and everything to make a quick buck.
Saturday morning cartoons and sitcoms that the whole family could enjoy. That's what I miss about TV.
and things have only gotten worse
Tempest really grew up in this one. She looks gorgeous.
Yes I had the biggest crush on her back in those days
Thank God somebody's finally acknowledging this.
Facts! This was the time I started being like, "damn, Vanessa looks GOOD" lol
I LOVED her talk show. My mom would only let me stay up on Friday nights and watch it because the local affiliate put it on at 1:30 in the morning.
This show set the bar for all family shows! Favorite intro! 😍
Along with Roseanne and Married with Children. All three shows changed tv and the family sitcom style forever.
This show opening gives me chills of happy...smiling the whole way through it!
I don't care what they say about him, his show is still the best.
Alden R. Davis you very clearly do care :(
yeah, whether he did or not, i don't care what goes on in his personal life. My dad told me a very important thing; always read between the lines.
Alden R. Davis you should care
Alden R. Davis You don’t care that he was possibly the most prolific rapist in American history? Wtf is wrong w you?
@@bedfordnhdonkey Sure he was... What about all those white colonialist of America?
This was the best opening of the entire series, but all their openings were good. It's just that this one has always stuck out in my mind the most. Very memorable.
Bill Cosby is seen in a shadow hiding his head in his shirt and begins to dance, next Phylicia Rashad comes out, and then Sabrina Lebeauf, then Gefforey Owens, then Malcolm Jamal-Warner and then Tempestt Bledsoe. Once they line up the long way down in order, Keisha Knight Pulliam is the last one to come out and join them that the entire cast members are waving their arms and dance together.
Love reading all the comments citing this opening sequence apart from all the others of Cosby: it's half-classical orchestra and half Hollywood musical with all the tropical colors, costumes, and choreography. Well done. And the kids are really growing up from here on in!!
Best. Intro. Ever.
this is my favorite cosby opening!
My favorite Cosby Show opening theme, very creative.
phyilcia rashad is a very beautiful woman
Yes she is!
Whoever choreographed this one is a beast!! 👏🏽💪🏾
The amazing GEOFFREY HOLDER!
GREATEST SITCOM OF ALL TIME
Agreed
Facts
Nope good times is far better and more funnier
I think this season's theme is my favorite. I remember getting somewhat excited at the beginning of each season to see how they would rework the theme song.
I love the pose that Elvin does when he first enters. He's such a goofball.
They had fantastic openings to every season. Just great! 🤩
This was one of the BEST openings from the Cosby Show , from the 1988-1989 season- I dont think I missed watching a single episode from that season-
I loved this opening! It's the bomb diggity!
Oh, what a time to be alive. I miss looking forward to the next season....Who am I kidding. I was 3 and I didn't even realize it until I was older and the series was done. Good job, still
My favorite cosby opening! Was the most creative! Couldn't believe how beautiful Ms Phylicia Rashad was ❤
Still is...
Still amazing after all these years! I recall thinking when this first aired that this was the most brilliant show opening ever filmed......... Wonderful stuff.
The funny thing is that I couldn't imagine Lisa Bonet in this intro. The pastel tropical look contrasts her earthy bohemian style.
right!!!!!!
If you watch the E! documentary about the Bill cosby show. She missed a lot of work day's. Which is why she didn't make it to the 8 season.
But why wasn’t she in this? Edit: oh wait I remember, she was in that other show I think, forgot the name.
@@abc98114 A Different World?
@@chrisrockett5897 Yes that’s the one.
the best open credits them of the cosby show
I still remember waiting anxiously by the television to see what the new intro was going to be in 1988. I miss the days when the fall season meant a new teacher, new grade, new Saturday morning cartoons, and new Cosby Show intro.
this is definetly my favorite opening out of all of them. i love the music, the dancing, the clothes and the fact that they're all barefoot is just too cute
This was always my favorite. I've seen a great deal of negativity about it on the internet, and was very surprised. I always thought it was the most awesome of the intros.
Tempestt remind me of an Beautiful African Princess and yes this was the best COSBY SHOW INTRO EVER:)
My fave The second one is "This is the best elevator music I've ever heard..
The eternal band geek and orchestra dork, I SO LOVE this arrangement!!!!!
Dr. Cosby was serious about his intros... this one was my fave❤️
Geoffrey Holder choreographed their dancing for that intro.
This was my favorite intro and favorite show growing up I think we all learned interesting things watch it and had a laugh or two
My favorite opening. The one they used for the later seasons is a close second. Something about that horn!!! WHEW!
Best musical intro ive ever heard
By far the BEST/FAVORITE opener of the The Cosby Show. It's so dramatic and get's me hyped everytime I see it. LOVE it.
This was my favorite Cosby opening. They just looked like they were having SO MUCH FUN each year coming up with a new dance number for the opening.
People forget that it was normal for tv shows to modify their intros every season back then. The Cosby show just took it to another level
Season six and seven had the same opening intros, except one of the seasons Cosby says at the end "This is the best elevator music I ever hard" and the other one he didn't.
My favorite opening of the Cosby show
This opening was always my favorite. I liked the way the music sounded and the cast looked they were having fun with the dance squence. During the 1987 season I knew I was in for something special when I tuned into NBC for The Cosby Show.
I was a year old when this season aired. Still, one of my favorite shows ever
The Cosby show theme songs were well thought out each one brought a new vibe to a new season.
W/out commenting on Bill Cosby’s current status (unless ur from another planet we all know it) this intro from the 1988-89 season was by far my favorite opening. The music is simply beautiful & the choreography & the costumes are spot on.. .👍🏾
This is my favorite of all of the openings from this series. I always loved the colors and the tropical theme!
Classic and one of favorite tv intros. Wasn’t so simple as many tv shows and had a great kick to it.
This must have been the hardest opening ever to do on The Cosby Show because all of the moves that were done by everyone must have taken a long time to get right. But it came out very nicely! 5 stars!!!!!
I was nine years old when the series started using this opening sequence. Those hand waves at 0:24 seriously gave me “Romper Room” vibes, as if the cast could see me through my TV set and was welcoming me and America. I miss those simple days of seven antenna networks and no video call or social media platforms, when life was so pure and we were entertained more easily without our illusions being destroyed.
Absolutely perfect and completely awesome! Best intro ever!
Refreshing ❤😅best theme..
One of the best Cosby Show openings
Love this opening! I wonder how long it took the cast to get the choreography down.
This was the best intro
They had to destroy his legacy. Still can’t take away what this show meant to us.
He! He had to destroy his legacy
No, this opening was supposed to be reminiscent of the old Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals.
The choreographer was Geoffrey Holder. Depending upon your age, you'll remember him as Nelson from "Boomerang", Punjab from "Annie", or the Uncola Man from the 7-Up commercials in the 1970s.
Or Baron Samedi from Live and Let Die.
In my opinion the Jefferson's and The Cosby are the best African American sitcoms
0:00 : PS3 startup XD
yes lol
Démétan it really does sound like it.
That's what's done at the beginning of every orchestra.
This intro was always epic to me! Like we were always about to embark on an exciting adventure!!!!!
the best intro!
Been looking for this one for a long time. Almost began to doubt I'd ever seen it. Definitely the best opening of them all. Genius music.
The way Rudy flies everytime kills me 😂💀
This was my favorite opening of all of them!
Back when TV Shows were great, miss these times.
Love this intro
Kudos, the late Geoffrey Holder ❤
This is my favorite intro!
Gosh, one of the greatest to ever do it!
i loved this seasons intro...it was so much different from all the rest
Hard to believe this intro is 30 years old !
Probably THE best TV theme song ever....or at least, the most musically inclined. Just listen to it....this version was so musically tight, symphonically. It was like they were planting the flag on American TV, saying "WE run the ratings game now." They we're no longer on the come-up...they WERE "THAT SHOW" in America by the time this dropped.
Wow. Wish I was still arranging...I would've DEFINITELY took a swing at this three years ago had I heard this back then.
Although I've never cared for Cosby himself, I loved the Cosby Show. :)
Theatrical excellence!!!! This is SOOOOOOOOOO Debbie Allen!!!!!!
This is the best intro of them all.
Season 1,2,3,5,6&,7 are the best theme music in my opinion
The look on Sabrina's face at 0:19 is classic.
Claire and Sondra could’ve been sisters.
Roshawn Hardin they only have a 10 year age difference in real life
Greatest introduction/opening of all time
The Apollo Theater credit sequence was hard to shake off; however, I do love this opening sequence the best. Great scoring. Very Jamacia.
I bet you guys the cast had a blast filming all of the intros of this show.
This my favorite too. I made it into a ringtone last year. Very classy.
Common!! Nobody but ME misses Lisa Bonets DENISE?! She would have been awesome and hot in this opening! Lol
I remember this one in 88 the best opening 🎉
The Cosby Show 40 years wow I've never forget the 1st episode.
BEST COSBY SHOW OPENING
*The Best Opening Ever In A Family Sitcom*
Instead of Bill Cosby dancing along with his cast members one by one like he did in the previous opening sequences, Bill Cosby has the whole entire cast members dancing together to the music in one spot. The cast are all seen at the end of credits dancing to the music as the producer credits appear, at the end whole cast fan their hands over Bill Cosby's face and then they quickly take their hands away from his face as he smiles and looks into the camera before the sequence fades to black
Agreed... fave opening of all of them! It's so... epic at the end. Like Cosby's Mufasa or something.
This is my most favorite opening of all! Very "South Pacific".
HEHE the best part is the beginning with the silhouettes and Bill Cosby's summoning his whole family. I hope this is how their family meetings start. SO AWESOME!!
Malcolm said, he didn't like season 5 opening, that it was the first time they did the opening as a group, he said he likes the individual openings better.
definitely my favorite
This was one my favorite theme songs
Loved that Rogers and Hammerstein type theme. That and Season 1 are my faves.
My favorite opening