The Cosby Show (Season 3)

Bring 'em Back Alive (Episode 1)

Writer: Matt Williams

Air date: 1986-09-25

Runtime: 22 min

Overview: The Huxtable house is thrown into chaos after Rudy finds a snake in the basement.

Food for Thought (Episode 2)

Air date: 1986-10-02

Runtime: 22 min

Overview: Clair challenges Cliff to not eat any salty food for the day. Denise leaves for her freshman year at Hillman College.

Golden Anniversary (Episode 3)

Writer: Carmen Finestra

Air date: 1986-10-09

Runtime: 22 min

Overview: Russell and Anna's 50th wedding anniversary. The family performs James Brown's "I Got the Feelin' " in this sequel to Season 2's "Happy Anniversary".

Man Talk (Episode 4)

Air date: 1986-10-16

Runtime: 22 min

Overview: Although he has a steady girlfriend, Theo wants to start dating someone else.

Mother, May I? (Episode 5)

Air date: 1986-10-23

Runtime: 22 min

Overview: After Clair specifically forbids her from wearing make-up, Vanessa, behind her mother’s back, does it anyways.

The March (Episode 6) 8.0

Air date: 1986-10-30

Runtime: 22 min

Overview: Theo writes a report on the March on Washington. But gets a poor grade and is asked to redo his project. Much to his surprise, he learns more about the march from his family than he did from books. Meanwhile, Vanessa is worried about asking a boy to the turn-around dance.

Theo's Flight (Episode 7)

Air date: 1986-11-06

Runtime: 22 min

Overview: Theo and Cockroach decide they want to learn to fly, but Cliff doesn't want to waste his money on another dream of his son's.

Vanessa's Rich (Episode 8)

Air date: 1986-11-13

Runtime: 22 min

Overview: Friends call Vanessa a stuck-up, rich girl at school.

Denise Gets a D (Episode 9)

Air date: 1986-11-20

Runtime: 22 min

Overview: Denise's college career starts with a D, but Denise is too scared to show her parents. Clair needs to rest in bed because of a pinched nerve.

A Girl and Her Dog (Episode 10)

Air date: 1986-12-04

Runtime: 22 min

Overview: Rudy and Peter find a dog and attempt to take care of it without her parents knowing.

War Stories (Episode 11)

Air date: 1986-12-11

Runtime: 22 min

Overview: Cliff and his father's friends play a challenging game of cards. Vanessa prepares to go to a skating party with a nervous date, Tyrone.

Cliff in Charge (Episode 12)

Writer: Matt Williams

Air date: 1986-12-18

Runtime: 22 min

Overview: Cliff is in charge when Clair leaves for 10 days.

Monster Man Huxtable (Episode 13)

Air date: 1987-01-08

Runtime: 22 min

Overview: Although, Elvin and Sondra have made plans for the weekend, he helps Theo with some wrestling moves. He also reveals that he is thinking of asking Sondra to marry him.

Rudy Spends the Night (Episode 14)

Writer: Carmen Finestra

Air date: 1987-01-15

Runtime: 22 min

Overview: Cliff establishes the Huxtable Men's Club, when the women are away, to help Theo recover from his sadness over a lost date. Vanessa is very excited that big sister Denise is letting her go to the Village with Denise's college friends.

Say Hello to a Good Buy (Episode 15)

Writer: Matt Williams

Air date: 1987-01-22

Runtime: 22 min

Overview: Cliff buys a new car. Rudy cuts some animal pictures out of Cliff's expensive books for school. Watched by almost 65 million viewers when it originally aired, "Say Hello to a Good Buy" was the series' highest rated episode.

Denise Gets an Opinion (Episode 16)

Air date: 1987-02-05

Runtime: 22 min

Overview: Denise has a blind date, but is really scared. So, she asks Theo to grade him for her.

Calling Doctor Huxtable (Episode 17)

Air date: 1987-02-12

Runtime: 22 min

Overview: Cliff is called to the hospital for 3 deliveries.

You Only Hurt the One You Love (Episode 18)

Writer: Carmen Finestra

Air date: 1987-02-19

Runtime: 22 min

Overview: Rudy gets hurt from Theo's rough games. Also, Cliff learns that the woman who cleans up the Doctor's Lounge at the hospital (Rita Moreno) has been fired.

The Shower (Episode 19)

Writer: Matt Williams

Air date: 1987-02-26

Runtime: 22 min

Overview: Denise holds a bridal shower for her pregnant, bride-to-be friend, Veronica, but finds out some disturbing information.

Cliff's 50th Birthday (Episode 20)

Air date: 1987-03-12

Runtime: 22 min

Overview: Cliff's 50th birthday has all kinds of surprises.

I Know That You Know (Episode 21)

Writer: Matt Williams

Air date: 1987-03-19

Runtime: 22 min

Overview: When Sondra and Elvin announce their engagement, Clair and the children use the news to play a practical joke on Cliff, who launches a counter-offensive of his own.

Andalusian Flu (Episode 22)

Writer: Janet Leahy

Air date: 1987-04-02

Runtime: 22 min

Overview: While Cliff and Clair have the flu, Theo tries to keep the house going.

Bald and Beautiful (Episode 23)

Air date: 1987-04-09

Runtime: 22 min

Overview: Cliff's Navy friend comes to visit. Cockroach shaves his head to be in a rock video.

Planning Parenthood (Episode 24)

Writer: Oliver Hailey

Air date: 1987-04-30

Runtime: 22 min

Overview: Clair's sister decides she wants to be a mother. Cliff takes Rudy and her friends out to eat at a fancy restaurant.

Hillman (Episode 25)

Air date: 1987-05-07

Runtime: 22 min

Overview: The Huxtable family goes to Hillman College to attend a ceremony in honor of its president's retirement.