My favorite, hands down, is when Theo and Justine broke up and Cliff convinced him to let out his frustration by singing the blues. Theo and Justine were one of my favorite TV couples back then, and the high note Theo hits is epic. "Justine, Justine!"
—Akoto Ofori-Atta, assistant editor
Mine will always be the Huxtables singing "Night Time Is the Right Time" for Cliff's parents' anniversary. I remember Cliff's eyes rolling back in his head and Rudy screaming, "BAB-BAY!" I also loved the episode when Cliff responded to Theo's desire to be a "regular person."
—Donna Byrd, publisher
My favorite is this rant that Clair gave to Elvin, after he applauded her for "serving" her husband. After explaining that serving is something that "goes on in a restaurant," she let him have it in this rapid-fire smackdown about how if he doesn't get over his macho attitudes, he is "never gonna have anybody bringing you anything, anywhere, anyplace, anytime, ever." Mrs. Huxtable didn't play!
—Cynthia Gordy, senior political correspondent
I love the episodes when some of our legends of jazz — Lena Horne, Betty Carter, etc. — were featured. Bill Cosby had an affinity for great music — especially jazz.
—Michael Clark, national sales manager
My favorites include the episode when Denise is watching a reggae music video (Black Uhuru's "Sponji Reggae") with a boyfriend and Cliff comes into the living room. The BF starts singing along, "Me say, Eh mon." Denise chimes in with "Eh mon," too …
—Brett Johnson, associate editor
The Gordon Gartrell episode! Denise did a terrible job trying to hand-sew the designer shirt Theo couldn't afford, but they ended up bonding over it. It's become so engrained in pop culture. There's also now a real Gordon Gartrell clothing line.
—Erin E. Evans, contributing editor
As a kid, I was obsessed with the episode in which Cliff lets Rudy have a slumber party after she complains of having no one to play with. I was around Rudy's age and the youngest in my family, so I definitely identified with her angst. The best part of watching this clip now is the fact that one of Rudy's guests — the little girl with the short, curly hair and grey sweats — grew up to be Alicia Keys!
—Lauren Williams, deputy editor
My two favorites are when Vanessa gets drunk with her friends and they play the alphabet game and when Vanessa and her friends go to Baltimore to see The Wretched and have "big fun." Once Vanessa became a teenager she added the perfect amount of drama to the show.
—Maci Peterson, marketing strategist
When Denise decided to go to Africa to become a photographer's assistant. I guess it turns out they were just trying to write her off the show for a season, but I thought she was SO cool and I planned to be like her when I got to be her age. I settled for just going to an HBCU.
—Jenee Desmond-Harris, staff writer
I love the series finale, when Theo graduates from college and the last scene is Cliff and Clair dancing. The lights come on and Cliff walks with Clair into the studio audience. It was very touching, and I believe they got a standing ovation. It was hard to believe that this show we watched forever was really ending.
—Stacia Mahoney, sales account manager