The fifth season of The Cosby Show aired on NBC from October 6, 1988 to May 11, 1989.

Season 5 Episode 1 - Together Again and Again

As Theo begins his freshman year at New York University, Denise announces that she is dropping out of Hillman College. Sondra is revealed to be pregnant. First mention of Cliff's theory that the children keep returning home because "they want the house." Air Date : 6th-Oct-1988  Read More

Season 5 Episode 2 - The Physical

Cliff prepares for a physical. John Amos as Dr. Bradley Herbert, Jr. Air Date : 13th-Oct-1988  Read More

Season 5 Episode 3 - Rudy's All-Nighter

Rudy's friend sleeps over. Air Date : 20th-Oct-1988  Read More

Season 5 Episode 4 - Move It (a.k.a. The Baby Game)

Everyone wants pregnant Sondra and Elvin to find a new house. Elvin's surname, Tibideaux, is revealed. Air Date : 27th-Oct-1988  Read More

Season 5 Episode 5 - Out of Brooklyn

Denise leaves Brooklyn for a job in Africa (Lisa Bonet's last appearance of Season 5). Air Date : 3rd-Nov-1988  Read More

Season 5 Episode 6 - The Birth (1)

Sondra goes into labor, and Elvin is a nervous wreck. Deon Richmond as Kenny. Michelle Thomas as Justine. First appearances of Reno Wilson as Howard, and Elizabeth Narvaez as Kara. Guest appearance by Naomi Campbell. Air Date : 10th-Nov-1988  Read More

Season 5 Episode 7 - The Birth (2)

Sondra gives birth to twins—a boy and a girl—who are named after Nelson Mandela and his then-wife Winnie. Elvin decides to return to medical school. Air Date : 10th-Nov-1988  Read More

Season 5 Episode 8 - Cyranoise de Bergington

Theo wants to date his friend Howard's ex-girlfriend, but he is stunned upon learning who she wants to date. Troy Winbush as Denny. Reno Wilson as Howard. Air Date : 17th-Nov-1988  Read More

Season 5 Episode 9 - How Do You Get to Carnegie Hall?

Vanessa, Janet and Kara want to be professional singers; Russell wins a prize in a sweepstakes, which turns out to be a toaster. Pam Potillo as Janet. Elizabeth Narvaez as Kara. Guest appearance by singer Betty Carter. Air Date : 1st-Dec-1988  Read More

Season 5 Episode 10 - If the Dress Fits, Wear It

Clair secretly goes on a crash diet and exercise program to lose five pounds in a week so she can fit into a dress. Appearance by Debbie Allen; voice-over by Ahmad Rashād (Phylicia Rashād's sister and husband). Air Date : 8th-Dec-1988  Read More

Season 5 Episode 11 - Is There a Hamster in the House?

Rudy takes care of a friend's hamster for the weekend. Air Date : 15th-Dec-1988  Read More

Season 5 Episode 12 - Truth or Consequences

Rudy lies to cover for Vanessa, who secretly goes out on a date with her older boyfriend. Air Date : 5th-Jan-1989  Read More

Season 5 Episode 13 - Cliff Babysits

Cliff babysits Winnie and Nelson when the rest of the family goes to see a Michael Jackson concert. Air Date : 12th-Jan-1989  Read More

Season 5 Episode 14 - Mrs. Huxtable Goes to Kindergarten

Clair appears as a panelist on a local Sunday morning talk show entitled "Retrospective". Clair buys a new couch and Cliff tries to keep the old one. Clair's law firm is identified as Greentree, Bradley & Dexter. Air Date : 26th-Jan-1989  Read More

Season 5 Episode 15 - The Lost Weekend

With the rest of the family gone for the night, Theo throws a "small" party that gets out of control. Troy Winbush as Denny. Reno Wilson as Howard. First appearance of Alex Ruiz as Lou. Cameo appearance by Joie Lee. Phylicia Rashād (Clair), Malcolm-Jamal Warner (Theo), Tempestt Bledsoe (Vanessa), and Elizabeth Narvaez (Kara) appear on the episode of A Different World which airs later that evening. Air Date : 2nd-Feb-1989  Read More

Season 5 Episode 16 - No Way, Baby

Cliff tracks down the grandfather of one of his patients: an expectant teenage mother with no other family. Clair deduces that the charming man is illiterate. Guest appearance by Sammy Davis, Jr. Air Date : 6th-Feb-1989  Read More

Season 5 Episode 17 - Can I Say Something, Please?

Rudy wants to change some of her rules. Voice-over by Ed McMahon (from The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson). Air Date : 9th-Feb-1989  Read More

Season 5 Episode 18 - The Dead End Kids Meet Dr. Lotus

Theo consults a voodoo shopkeeper for advice on winning his girlfriend back. Troy Winbush as Denny. Reno Wilson as Howard. Alex Ruiz as Lou. Michelle Thomas as Justine. Guest appearances by Moses Gunn and Harold Perrineau. Air Date : 16th-Feb-1989  Read More

Season 5 Episode 19 - The Boys of Winter

Cliff's old basketball friend comes to visit. Guest appearance by U.S. Senator (and former NBA basketball player) Bill Bradley. Air Date : 23rd-Feb-1989  Read More

Season 5 Episode 20 - It Comes and It Goes

Sondra bemoans taking care of the twins. Air Date : 9th-Mar-1989  Read More

Season 5 Episode 21 - Theo's Women

After catching Theo kissing another woman in the lounge of her dormitory, Justine breaks up with him. Desperate to win her back, Theo turns to Cliff for advice. Michelle Thomas as Justine. First appearance of Vanessa A. Williams as Jade. Air Date : 16th-Mar-1989  Read More

Season 5 Episode 22 - Birthday Blues

Clair's 46th birthday. Air Date : 30th-Mar-1989  Read More

Season 5 Episode 23 - A Room With No View

Vanessa and Rudy argue and fight. After the sisters do physical damage to the house, Cliff exiles them to the basement. Air Date : 13th-Apr-1989  Read More

Season 5 Episode 24 - What He Did for Love

Theo's friend Denny finds an expensive watch and gives it to his girlfriend, but it is soon revealed to be stolen merchandise. Troy Winbush as Denny. Alex Ruiz as Lou. Vanessa A. Williams as Jade. Air Date : 27th-Apr-1989  Read More

Season 5 Episode 25 - Day of the Locusts

Sondra comes down with strep throat, prompting her mother Clair and Elvin's mother Francine to "steal" the babies. Air Date : 4th-May-1989  Read More

Season 5 Episode 26 - 57 Varieties

Theo wants to go to Egypt for an archaeological dig. Reno Wilson as Howard. Alex Ruiz as Lou. Deon Richmond as Kenny. Air Date : 11th-May-1989  Read More