Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids
Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids
TV Series
6.6
1972 8 Seasons

Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids

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Storyline

Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids is an animated series created, produced, and hosted by comedian Bill Cosby, who also lent his voice to a number of characters, including Fat Albert himself. Filmation was the production company for the series. The show premiered in 1972 and ran until 1985. The show, based on Cosby's remembrances of his childhood gang, centered on Albert, and his friends. The show always had an educational lesson emphasized by Cosby's live-action segments, and in early episodes the gang would usually gather in their North Philadelphia junkyard to play a rock song on their cobbled-together instruments at the end of the show.

Episodes

Season 1

Season 1

14 Episodes Aired 1972

No overview available for this season.

Lying
30 min
E1

Lying

Sep 09, 1972

Edward tells stories about wrestling with alligators. Fat Albert and the gang realize that Edward has been lying to them about everything and gets caught at the end.

The Runt
30 min
E2

The Runt

Sep 16, 1972

Fat Albert and the Gang meet a guy named Pee Wee who's very small that he feels left out of everything. The Gang and Pee Wee learned that It's not your size that matters but being who you are that counts.

The Stranger
30 min
E3

The Stranger

Sep 23, 1972

Fat Albert and the gang meet a new girl from the south.

Creativity
30 min
E4

Creativity

Sep 30, 1972

The origin of the Junkyard Band. The gang tries doing odd jobs for money but they only made enough money to buy a broken drumstick but then they realize they could make their own instruments. Fat Albert makes an instrument out of an old radiator, a funnel, and a big potato bag. Bill makes a set of drums out of trash cans as well as turning old tin cans into chimes for Russell. Weird Harold turns a bed frame into a harp. Dumb Donald creates a trombone out of pipes and a horn from a grammaphone. Mushmouth takes an old bird cage and makes his own guitar. Bucky puts big pipes together to make an organ.

Fish Out Of Water
30 min
E5

Fish Out Of Water

Oct 07, 1972

The Gang goes to Camp Green Lane for the Summer meeting people that are different from them. Fat Albert and the gang learned meeting new people is cool.

Moving
30 min
E6

Moving

Oct 14, 1972

Fat Albert recieves news that he's moving away and the gang kicked him out of the club. The Cosby Kids missed Fat Albert so much that all they wanted was their friend back. Fat Albert moved around the corner in his neighborhood.

Playing Hookey
30 min
E7

Playing Hookey

Oct 21, 1972

Fat Albert and the Gang think school is nothing but a waist of time so they decide to play hookey the next day. Dumb Donald told the gang he was going to school and thought he was joking but got made fun of and kept walking. Fat Albert and his friends had so much playing hookey knowing they wouldn't get caught.Later on that evening the Junkyard Gang met two homeless bums who didn't go to school telling them that if they didn't finish their education you won't be able to read and write letters. The Gang decide to stay in school realizing it's cool.

The Hospital
30 min
E8

The Hospital

Oct 28, 1972

Russell has a physical with the school doctor and learns he needs to have a tonsilectomy. In the process, it is discovered that Bill needs one, too. Thinking the operation will take their lives away, they give all their favorite posessions to their friends, only to find that they will pull through. They also find out that they will get ice cream afterwards and learn that it won't be so bad after all.

Begging Benny
30 min
E9

Begging Benny

Nov 04, 1972

Fat Albert's Cousin Benny comes to visit and mistreats all his friends. In the long run he learns what a real friend is all about.

The Hero
30 min
E10

The Hero

Nov 11, 1972

The Gang looks up to Scrap Iron because he's cool then gets them busted and realize he's not a hero.

The Prankster
30 min
E11

The Prankster

Nov 18, 1972

Otis becomes the coolest kid on the block with his pranks that he doesn't care who he hurts.

Four Eyes
30 min
E12

Four Eyes

Nov 25, 1972

Heywood is the clumsiest person who can't see anything. Once Heywood got his glasses, the gang wanted to be just like him.

The Tomboy
30 min
E13

The Tomboy

Dec 02, 1972

A new Girl named Penny comes to town and tags along with Fat Albert and the Gang playing sports with them.

Stagefright
30 min
E14

Stagefright

Dec 09, 1972

Fat Albert and the Gang perform in front of an audience and get stage fright. The Gang realized that It's Important to speak up when you're in front of others.

Season 2

Season 2

8 Episodes Aired 1973

No overview available for this season.

Season 5

Season 5

8 Episodes Aired 1979

No overview available for this season.

In My Merry Busmobile
30 min
E1

In My Merry Busmobile

Sep 08, 1979

The gang is bussed to an integrated school, finding it difficult to make new friends.

The Dancer
30 min
E2

The Dancer

Sep 15, 1979

Fat Albert and the gang meet a new kid, who is in dance class. Fat Albert joins the class and finds out he's not so graceful.

Spare the Rod
30 min
E3

Spare the Rod

Sep 22, 1979

Mr. Tyrone wants to sell the junkyard, which could spell the end for Fat Albert and the Gang's clubhouse. Can they convince him to keep it.

Sweet Sorrow
30 min
E4

Sweet Sorrow

Sep 29, 1979

Fat Albert's ice skating friend, Roberta, offers to help the kids with their ""hockey skills""(if you can call it that). Unfortunately, she seems troubled by other things on her mind. Her parents are getting divorced, so she takes her anger out on the team. She finally learns it's not her fault that their getting divorced. Roberta also learns she can enjoy both of her parents without having to enjoy them at the same time.

Poll Time
30 min
E5

Poll Time

Oct 06, 1979

2 Candidates in the school election, Hugo and Baron, both of different color, play race politics until Fat Albert and the gang come up with an alternative

The Mainstream
30 min
E6

The Mainstream

Oct 13, 1979

A neighborhood band challenges Fat Albert and his friends to a competition, the winner gets the clubhouse.

Free Ride
30 min
E7

Free Ride

Oct 20, 1979

Dumb Donald starts cheating in school to get better grades. He soon finds out the consequences.

Soft Core
30 min
E8

Soft Core

Oct 27, 1979

Rudy's friend Dustin gives Fat Albert and his friends the wrong sources on sex education.

Season 6

Season 6

8 Episodes Aired 1980

No overview available for this season.

Pain, Pain, Go Away
30 min
E1

Pain, Pain, Go Away

Sep 06, 1980

The gang's friend, Darrell, has been feeling tired and sickly, but doesn't think he needs to see the school nurse or a doctor. A concerned Fat Albert speaks to Darrell's parents, who make him go to the hospital. It's discovered he has Hodgkin's disease, a form of cancer of the lymph nodes. But because it's in a localized area and it was detected early, it can be treated easily. Afterward, he and his parents express their gratitude to Fat Albert.

The Rainbow
30 min
E2

The Rainbow

Sep 13, 1980

Elisa has trouble accepting mixed-race children, especially when Kim, the gang's other classmate is the son of an interracial couple. She avoids interacting with him and runs off rather than play games with the group. She wanders into the old garment factory, which is condemned and winds up in danger. Kim and Fat Albert are able to enact a rescue and Elisa is able to learn a valuable lesson.

The Secret
30 min
E3

The Secret

Aug 20, 1980

Beau and Francie are brother and sister. However, Beau lets it slip that Francie was adopted by their parents. After she confronts them, the parents indeed admit they adopted her when she was a baby. Francie is distraught and runs away, only to wind up in danger as she falls into a river and will get pulled into a drain tunnel. Beau and Fat Albert are able to save her in time and the family reunite proving that they love their daughter no matter what.

30 min
E4

Easy Pickin's

Sep 27, 1980

The gang is impressed with the number of material items Steve and Claudia have, giving them the impression they're rich. However, when Fat Albert investigates, he learns the twin siblings are routine shoplifters, stealing the various items from department stores and selling them to other kids. Fat Albert later notifies their parents, who indeed find some of the stolen items in their rooms. The twins think they'll never be caught. But when a stockboy is arrested, accused of being the thief, they feel guilty and confess their crimes to the store manager.

30 min
E5

Good Ol' Dudes

Oct 04, 1980

The gang's friend Richard has a tendency to "borrow" his uncle's car and gives them joyrides throughout town. He then takes a neighbor's car out while he's away, giving the gang another joyride. However, this leads to danger as their ride gets out of control and the car winds up in a lake. Fat Albert arrives in the nick of time to rescue them. As a result, Richard has to face the consequences with the police, his parents, and the neighbor who owns the car.

30 min
E6

Heads or Tails

Oct 11, 1980

Weird Harold develops a gambling habit and tries to convince the gang to bet in a horse race. When they initially decline to contribute, Harold becomes an errand boy for Sheldon, a hustler, who promises to pay him. He's able to convince the others to join him, but Fat Albert refuses as he tries to talk sense into the gang. When the gang's sure bet loses, Weird Harold has to face the consequences for his actions as Sheldon has already since he was thrown in jail for his scams.

30 min
E7

Pot of Gold

Oct 18, 1980

The gang's classmate Patty was a straight-A student until she fell into the drug scene and now gets regularly high on marijuana. When the gang meets her drug pusher, Rudy is tempted to try it himself, but has a change of heart when he sees Patty in danger. He and Fat Albert are able to save her. They and a police officer meet with Patty's parents about her problem and she agrees to help get the pusher arrested, which is the first step on her road to recovery.

30 min
E8

The Gunslinger

Oct 25, 1980

The gang's friend Shawn thinks he's cool by carrying around his father's gun. All are impressed except Fat Albert, who goes to his parents in an effort to stop him. Though the gun is usually unloaded, Rudy finds a bullet which enables Shawn to use it for target practice. But a near tragedy occurs when the gun backfires, severely injuring his hand. Fortunately, his father had medical training which helps to save his son. As a result, the gang learns a valuable lesson.

Season 7

Season 7

8 Episodes Aired 1981

No overview available for this season.

30 min
E1

Habla Español

Sep 05, 1981

Rosita is a shy Mexican-American girl in the gang's class. Rudy ridicules her for her halting English, prompting her to miss class for a couple of days. When Fat Albert tries to intervene, they're interrupted when a fellow Hispanic has an emergency kitchen fire. With quick thinking and communication, they're able to put out the fire with little damage. Back at school, Miss Wucher assigns a project for the kids aimed at illustrating that they all have a heritage of which to be proud. Rosita is surprised the gang know of famous Mexican figures in history after returning to class and interacting with the gang again, eventually getting the last laugh on Rudy.

30 min
E2

2 By 2

Sep 12, 1981

The gang's friends, Arden and Baron, are so in love with each other, they want to drop out of school and get married as soon as possible. At first, they don't care what others think, but then begin to have second thoughts when Arden realizes she won't be able to go to the high school prom or get her diploma. Then Fat Albert has Baron meet Mudfoot, who introduces him to Ellen, a woman just a few years older than Baron. She and her husband Joey rushed into marriage around his age, but once on their own, had trouble finding steady jobs, paying their bills, weren't able to keep their new car, and couldn't even afford a phone once their daughter was born. These factors help Arden and Baron reconsider their decision and now choose to wait to see how things will turn out to better prepare them for life as adults.

30 min
E3

Parking Dog

Sep 19, 1981

Fat Albert has doubts about the ability of his friends Cosgrove and Doreen to accept the responsibility of owning a new puppy. Sure enough, instead of taking little Freddie for a much-needed walk, they leave him unattended in the kitchen and he runs off to play. Poor Freddie escapes through the window and ends up on the highway, becoming endangered by the heavy traffic. Luckily, Fat Albert is able to call the police, who are able to save the puppy in time. After the big scare, Cosgrove and Doreen learn a hard lesson about responsibility.

30 min
E4

Water You Waiting For?

Sep 26, 1981

The gang goes on a camping trip to Cedar Lake where they meet some new people. Along the way, Fat Albert takes a particular interest in Janine, a pretty girl, and brags about his knowledge of water safety, only to find himself embarrassed when he learns she's the camp's main lifeguard, who knows more about safety than he thinks. The two get along and she makes him her assistant lifeguard. Eventually, their teamwork comes in handy when Rudy's prank on Russell backfires, leading both to jeopardy. After the narrow rescue, the gang and their new friends get a firsthand lesson in water safety.

30 min
E5

The New Father

Oct 03, 1981

After her father died, Buffy's mother recently started dating again and Mr. Haney is becoming more involved in their lives, much to Buffy's reluctance. She becomes further resistant when they announce they'll be getting married. Buffy runs away from home and hides out at the amusement park, even though it's closed. She winds up in danger as the gang tracks her down. Fortunately, Mr. Haney is able to save her in time and Buffy is willing to accept him as part of the family.

30 min
E6

Double Cross

Oct 10, 1981

The gang's friend Melinda tells them of a group she's taken interest to known as Double Cross. However, they don't care for Fat Albert and company because they're not of the same ethnic background. Mudfoot introduces Fat Albert to a rabbi who tells him of the tough life he had when the Nazis invaded his homeland. Later, Fat Albert confronts George, the Double Cross leader about his racism. Then late at night, George tries to vandalize a Jewish synagogue before he slips and gets himself in danger. Fat Albert and the police are able to mount a rescue, and George is arrested for his vandalism. Afterward, Melinda learns her lesson about who the true special people are in her life.

30 min
E7

Little Girl Found

Oct 17, 1981

Greta is a teenage runaway who steals the gang's television and sells it to get what little money she can. Fat Albert tries to help Greta change her ways and Mudfoot tells her the story of Hansel and Gretel in hopes she'll return home to her family. Greta eventually runs afoul of a gang who plan on stealing some bicycles. Fat Albert comes to her aid at the train yard despite the odds. Luckily, Weird Harold gets the police at the scene to rescue them in the nick of time. After her close call, Greta makes a much-needed phone call to her mother, eventually taking the first steps to return home.

30 min
E8

Watch That First Step

Oct 24, 1981

Fat Albert and the gang meet Marcus, a good athlete who's recently moved into the neighborhood. They invite him to play in an upcoming father/son baseball game, but he's reluctant to go, mentioning his father is out of town. But the true reason is revealed when he shows up after all, and everyone sees him drunk. It's eventually learned that Marcus' father in an alcoholic. Marcus and his sister Michelle run away from home to avoid the problem. After initially getting into danger, they go to the gang's clubhouse where Fat Albert convinces them to go to an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. There, they learn not to be ashamed or angry of their father and decide to return home to help their mother face the situation in hopes they can get him to recovery.

Season 8

Season 8

50 Episodes Aired 1984

No overview available for this season.

30 min
E1

Have a Heart

Sep 01, 1984

The gang stays after school to learn about CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), but Rudy ditches the class early to focus more on basketball. When Mudfoot stops by, he joins him in practice and gives his usual advice on the importance of education. Shortly afterward, he has a heart attack and Rudy is unable to help. Luckily, the gang leaving CPR class, is able to intervene with Fat Albert giving Mudfoot CPR while others call the paramedics. Mudfoot recovers and Rudy learns an important lesson, deciding to take the CPR class to be better prepared.

30 min
E2

Watch Thy Neightborhood

Sep 08, 1984

The boys go to a Neighborhood Watch meeting after a burglary at Dumb Donald's house.

30 min
E3

Cosby's Classics

Sep 15, 1984

Bill devises a new form of entertainment when the clubhouse TV breaks.

30 min
E4

Justice Good as Ever

Sep 22, 1984

An accident foils the boys' plan to enter Rudy's new bike in a big race.

30 min
E5

Rebop for Bebop

Sep 29, 1984

Mudfoot offers to help when the boys enter a battle of the bands.

30 min
E6

Sinister Stranger

Oct 06, 1984

A police officer offers kids at school safety tips, but Hank was not listening.

30 min
E7

Handwriting on the Wall

Oct 13, 1984

A field trip is canceled because of the expense of covering over graffiti painted on a school wall. In order to recoup the money, the gang takes on a city project to paint a patriotic mural on a city building.

30 min
E8

Busted

Oct 20, 1984

Larry is a car thief who impresses the gang by saying he knows how the police work. However, accepting a ride from Larry to the pool leads to trouble when Larry realizes John Law has other ideas up his sleeve. The gang is frightened of what they see in the jailhouse and a police sergeant sentences them to one-minute imprisonment, showing they could have a much longer time behind bars if they are not more careful who they associate with.

30 min
E9

It All Ads Up

Oct 27, 1984

The kids contribute to the school's rummage sale. The gang is concerned some of the older stuff will not sell, but Rudy uses slick ways to sell their entire selection. One of the teachers shows Rudy the effects of his actions by giving him a faulty device that ruins his hat versus that shown in a glitzy TV commercial. The lesson is not over, as Rudy, Fat Albert and the others must also head the harbor when Rudy realizes he sold a faulty raft to a boy who cannot swim.

30 min
E10

Never Say Never

Nov 03, 1984

The gang tries to cheer a friend who awaits a kidney transplant.

30 min
E11

Don't Call Us

Nov 10, 1984

Red wants to quit school to focus on her singing career, but Fat Albert and the gang try to convince her that it is a mistake.

30 min
E12

The Runner

Nov 17, 1984

A classmate is selling drugs at school, but Fat Albert and friends must decide whether to report it.

30 min
E13

Video Mania

Nov 24, 1984

Weird Harold spends all his money on video games, then makes amends by taking a job at the video arcade to earn money for picnic equipment for the gang.

30 min
E14

You Gotta Have Art

Dec 01, 1984

Fat Albert makes friends with the new girl in school, who is a budding artist.

30 min
E15

Long Live the Queen

Dec 08, 1984

On America Day, the gang gets to vote on who wins the title of America's Queen.

30 min
E16

The Joker

Dec 15, 1984

Dumb Donald's cousin does not realize his pranks are getting out of hand.

30 min
E17

Second Chance

Dec 22, 1984

Teddy is accused when gym equipment disappears, and Fat Albert and the gang hunt for the real culprits.

30 min
E18

Kiss and Tell

Dec 29, 1984

Bob discovers that problems—especially those involving one's health—do not go away on their own.

30 min
E19

Teenage Mom

Jan 05, 1985

The kids help their friend Liz with their new baby.

30 min
E20

Film Follies

Jan 12, 1985

The kids make their own episode of the Brown Hornet.

30 min
E21

Harvest Moon

Jan 19, 1985

The Cosby kids discover a dangerous chemical spill when they help out at their friend Roy's farm.

30 min
E22

Read Baby Read

Jan 26, 1985

The boys try to convince the school's star football player Mickey that reading is more important than winning.

30 min
E23

The Whiskey Kid

Feb 02, 1985

Fat Albert notices that his friend Peter is acting strangely and finds out that it is due to alcohol.

30 min
E24

Millionaire Madness

Feb 09, 1985

The Cosby kids search for hidden loot after Weird Harold finds a treasure map.

30 min
E25

Call of the Wild

Feb 16, 1985

Fat Albert and the Cosby kids take a trip to the country to visit Weird Harold's uncle.

30 min
E26

Funny Business

Feb 23, 1985

Weird Harold and Waldo's sister Mindy learn the importance of having a sense of humor when they get trapped in a cave.

30 min
E27

3 Strikes and You're In

Mar 02, 1985

Fat Albert finds the perfect star pitcher when the boys get a challenge from the Junior League baseball champions, but she is a girl.

30 min
E28

What's the ID?

Mar 09, 1985

Rudy and his new friend Hector try to use fake I.D.s at a nightclub.

30 min
E29

Rules Is Cool

Mar 16, 1985

The police show up when Fat Albert's friend Tommy throws a party at his parents' house.

30 min
E30

The Birds, the Bees and Dumb Donald

Mar 23, 1985

Dumb Donald falls for Elaine, a cheerleader, but how will he compete with the star quarterback Hammerhead Rex?

30 min
E31

Double or Nothing

Mar 30, 1985

Rudy learns an important lesson about winning big and losing big when he catches the gambling bug.

30 min
E32

Hot Wheels

Apr 06, 1985

Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids visit the Museum of Natural History to see an exhibit on bicycles.

30 min
E33

No Place Like Home

Apr 13, 1985

The Cosby Kids find out that real friends do not care whether you are rich or poor—they like you for you.

30 min
E34

Not So Loud

Apr 20, 1985

The Cosby Kids enter the Sound City TV competition in hopes of winning airtime for their band.

30 min
E35

The Jinx

Apr 27, 1985

Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids visit Rudy's uncle's ranch and leave the big city behind.

30 min
E36

You Don't Say

May 04, 1985

Everybody wants to be on the school pep squad but will Fat Albert and Weird Harold win a place?

30 min
E37

Amiss With Amish

May 11, 1985

Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids visit an Amish community and learn the values of Amish society with their friend Sharon.

30 min
E38

Gang Wars

May 18, 1985

Fat Albert tries to save his friend Tito from getting involved with his older brother's gang life.

30 min
E39

Computer Caper

May 25, 1985

Fat Albert exposes his classmate Greg as a computer hacker while working on a history assignment.

30 min
E40

We All Scream for Ice Cream

Jun 01, 1985

Weird Harold is left in a sticky situation while working at his new job serving ice cream at Mr. Cooper's Ice Cream Shop.

30 min
E41

Superdudes

Jun 08, 1985

Hoping to be like his hero, Dexter attempts a death-defying stunt.

30 min
E42

Painting the Town

Jun 15, 1985

Fat Albert and the boys try to help their friend Lenny find a job.

30 min
E43

Rudy and the Beast

Jun 22, 1985

Rudy thinks it's his big break when the Cosby Kids meet a new girl whose father is a big time movie producer.

30 min
E44

Wheeler

Jun 29, 1985

Fat Albert and the boys try to help their new friend Chuy, a.k.a. the Wheeler, feel welcome at school.

30 min
E45

Faking the Grade

Jul 06, 1985

Dumb Donald's schoolwork needs to improve or he may not be able to advance to the next grade. This catches the attention of a teenager who previously had Dumb Donald's teacher, and offers to sell him the answers to future tests. Donald is conflicted amongst himself about the meaning of academic success and facing the stigma of being held back.

30 min
E46

Write On

Jul 13, 1985

Fat Albert gives his classmate Richard the encouragement he needs to write a blue ribbon poem for the school writing contest.

30 min
E47

Cable Caper

Jul 20, 1985

When the Cosby Kids find out that Mr. and Mrs. Gibson may lose their home, they hit the airwaves to tell their neighbors' story.

30 min
E48

Say Uncle

Jul 27, 1985

When Weird Harold's Uncle Marcus moves in with his family, space gets tight especially in Weird Harold's room.

30 min
E49

No News Is Good News

Aug 03, 1985

The Cosby Kids learn about the responsibilities of the press when Rudy submits a false story to the school newspaper.

30 min
E50

Attitude of Gratitude

Aug 10, 1985

When Fat Albert takes a job at the local zoo, he has trouble juggling his many responsibilities including school, homework, and work.

Series Info

Status

Ended

Seasons

8

Episodes

110

Language

en

Networks

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