Poster for Cosby

Cosby (1996) Parents Guide: Is the series OK for kids?

Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language

Cosby is an American situation comedy television series broadcast on CBS from September 16, 1996 to April 28, 2000, loosely based on the British sitcom One Foot in the Grave. The program stars Bill Cosby and Phylicia Rashād, who previously worked with Cosby in the 1984–1992 NBC sitcom The Cosby Show. Madeline Kahn portrayed their neighbor, Pauline, until her death in 1999.

TV-G • 1996 • 4 seasons

6.0
Average rating by Bontent members
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Age
8+

Cosby is a 1990s family sitcom about a man, Hilton Lucas, who is forced into early retirement and subsequently irritates his family with his newfound free time. The series earns its TV-G rating due to its gentle, lighthearted tone and near total absence of concerning content. Based on a much darker British series, this American adaptation was significantly softened, with conflicts stemming from comedic misunderstandings and the… Sign up for the full guide

Cast

Bill Cosby
Bill Cosby
Phylicia Rashād
Phylicia Rashād
T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh
T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh
Doug E. Doug
Doug E. Doug
Madeline Kahn
Madeline Kahn
Darien Sills-Evans
Darien Sills-Evans
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Is Cosby appropriate for kids?

Cosby is a 1990s family sitcom about a man, Hilton Lucas, who is forced into early retirement and subsequently irritates his family with his newfound free time. The series earns its TV-G rating due to its gentle, lighthearted tone and near total absence of concerning content… Read more — free account

Content severity in Cosby Sign up for season-by-season breakdown

Substances Intense 8/10
Language Mild 2/10
Sex/Nudity Moderate 4/10
Violence/Gore Mild 2/10
Mature Themes Intense 10/10

Sex and nudity in Cosby

Sexual content is limited to mild innuendo and romantic affection between married couples, such as kisses and embraces. There is a dream sequence where Hilton believes he is in Hong Kong with a spy partner, which has a very mild flirtatious tone, but it's clearly fantasy and not explicit. No nudity or suggestive clothing is shown.

Violence and gore in Cosby

Violence is absent from this season. Any conflict is verbal or comedic, with no physical altercations, threats, or peril shown. A bank heist is mentioned as a plot point in one episode, but the action occurs off-screen, and characters are not directly harmed.

Language in Cosby

The language is consistently mild throughout the season, typical for network television. Common exclamations like "darn" or "heck" are used infrequently, but no profanity or stronger language is present.

Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in Cosby

Alcohol use is present with characters occasionally drinking wine or cocktails during social gatherings, always in a casual context without intoxication. One episode, "Raising Paranoia," features a storyline where characters attempt to convince a friend struggling with drug addiction to enter rehab; the addiction itself is discussed rather than graphically depicted, focusing on the intervention and recovery aspect.

Mature themes in Cosby

This season includes explorations of themes like marriage, family, and community. The death of actor Madeline Kahn is acknowledged with a tribute showing clips of her character. The most significant mature theme appears in "Raising Paranoia," which deals with drug addiction and the challenges of intervention and recovery. Other episodes touch on homelessness and the foster care system, handled with sensitivity.

Scary moments in Cosby

No standout scary moments have been catalogued for Cosby yet. Because this title is recommended for younger kids, sign up to get community-flagged jump scares, tense scenes, and startling imagery as parents submit them.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cosby appropriate for kids?

Bontent's parent guide suggests Cosby is best for ages 8+. It's rated TV-G. Cosby is a 1990s family sitcom about a man, Hilton Lucas, who is forced into early retirement and subsequently irritates his family with his newfound free time. The series earns its TV-G rating due to its gentle…

What age rating does Cosby have?

Cosby is rated TV-G. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 8+.

What is Cosby about?

Cosby is a 1990s family sitcom about a man, Hilton Lucas, who is forced into early retirement and subsequently irritates his family with his newfound free time. The series earns its TV-G rating due to its gentle, lighthearted tone and near total absence of concerning content. Based on a much darker British series…

How many seasons does Cosby have?

Cosby has 4 seasons covered in this parent guide. Sign up to see a season-by-season breakdown.

Is there sex or nudity in Cosby?

Our reviewers didn't note meaningful sexual content across Cosby.

How violent is Cosby?

Violence isn't a standout concern across Cosby per our reviewers.

Is the language in Cosby appropriate for kids?

Strong language isn't flagged across Cosby.

Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in Cosby?

Drug, alcohol, and smoking depictions are minimal across Cosby.

What mature themes appear in Cosby?

Heavy thematic material isn't a defining feature of Cosby.

Where can I read the full Cosby parent guide?

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