The Cosby Mysteries

American mystery drama television series

American TV series or program

The Cosby Mysteries

Genre| Mystery
Drama
Created by| David Black
William Link
Directed by| Jerry London
Starring| Bill Cosby
Robert Stanton
James Naughton
Rita Moreno
Mos Def
Lynn Whitfield
Composers| Craig Handy, David Weiss
Country of origin| United States
Original language| English
No. of seasons| 1
No. of episodes| 19 (18 + pilot)
Production
Running time| 60 minutes per episode
Production companies| Sah Enterprises
Columbia Pictures Television
NBC Productions
Release
Original network| NBC
Original release| January 31, 1994 (1994-01-31) –
April 12, 1995 (1995-04-12)

The Cosby Mysteries is an American mystery drama television series starring Bill Cosby that aired on NBC from September 21, 1994, to April 12, 1995. 19 episodes were made. It was the first television series to star Cosby since The Cosby Show (which ended in the spring of 1992) and lasted just one season (1994–1995).[1] Actor/rapper Mos Def appeared in several episodes (sometimes credited as Dante Smith).[2]

## Premise[edit]

Cosby played Guy Hanks, a New York City Police Department criminalist, who retired from the police force after winning $44 million in the lottery.

His peaceful retirement was frequently interrupted by his former colleagues, Detective Adam Sully (James Naughton) and medical examiner John Chapman (Robert Stanton), who asked him to consult on tough cases. As Hanks used his wits and his forensics knowledge to solve crimes, he dealt with his holistic housekeeper Angie Corea (Rita Moreno) and his girlfriend Barbara Lorenz (Lynn Whitfield).[3]

## Production history[edit]

The show was created by David Black and William Link. Link's previous series included Columbo on NBC and Murder, She Wrote on CBS. Link developed the series at Cosby's request, as Cosby wanted to make an intelligent, character-driven mystery series that did not rely on graphic violence.

The show began on January 31, 1994, as a two hour movie, and 18 regular episodes began airing on NBC on September 21, 1994. Its NBC premiere ranked 54th among the season's network prime time series. Executive producer William Link criticized NBC for not effectively advertising the show before its premiere launch. NBC Entertainment president Warren Littlefield blamed Bill Cosby for not using his personal fame to promote the show.

At the beginning of 1995, creators William Link and David Black were dropped from the production team by NBC.[4]

Critics expressed hope that The Cosby Mysteries would fare better than Cosby's previous two ventures,[5] Here and Now and the game show remake, You Bet Your Life. The Cosby Mysteries has been rerun in the United Kingdom, on digital channel ITV1, and in the United States on A&E, STARZ! Mystery and TV One.

The Cosby Mysteries was shot in New York City by SAH Enterprises.[6]

## Cancellation[edit]

The Cosby Mysteries only lasted just 19 episodes, and was cancelled in February 1995.[4] On April 12, 1995, The Cosby Mysteries ceased operations for good.

## Cast[edit]

* Bill Cosby as Guy Hanks
* Rita Moreno as Angie Corea
* Robert Stanton as Medical Examiner John Chapman
* James Naughton as Det. Adam Scully
* Mos Def as Dante Beze
* Lynn Whitfield as Barbara Lorenz

## Series overview[edit]

Season| Episodes| Originally aired

|
|

First aired| Last aired
Pilot| 1| January 31, 1994 (1994-01-31)
1| 18| September 21, 1994 (1994-09-21)| April 12, 1995 (1995-04-12)

## Episodes[edit]

### Pilot (1994)[edit]

No.  | No. in season  | Title  | Directed by  | Written by  | Original air date

|
|
|
|
|

1| 1| "Pilot"| Jerry London| David Black and William Link| January 31, 1994 (1994-01-31)
First ever episode. NYPD criminalist Guy Hanks retires from the force.

### Season 1 (1994-95)[edit]

No.  | No. in season  | Title  | Directed by  | Written by  | Original air date

|
|
|
|
|

2| 1| "The Lottery Winner Murders"| Jerry London| Story by : David Black & William Link & Ed Zuckerman
Teleplay by : Ed Zuckerman & Edward Tivnan & Alfonse Ruggiero| September 21, 1994 (1994-09-21)
Guy is profoundly shocked when a killer targets lottery winners.
3| 2| "Our Lady of Cement"| Philip Sgriccia| Story by : Robert Van Scoyk
Teleplay by : Alfonse Ruggiero| September 28, 1994 (1994-09-28)
A mummified corpse is found in a refurbished apartment.
4| 3| "Self Defense"| E. W. Swackhamer| Edward Tivnan| October 5, 1994 (1994-10-05)
Sully is accused of murdering a cop.
5| 4| "Only You"| E. W. Swackhamer| Siobhan Byrne| October 12, 1994 (1994-10-12)
A bereaved husband asks Guy to investigate his wife’s life.
6| 5| "One Day at a Time"| John Whitesell| Charles Kipps| October 19, 1994 (1994-10-19)
Guy Hanks investigates a recovering substance abuser’s claim of innocence for the killing of a district attorney.
7| 6| "Home, Street Home"| Corey Allen| Charles Kipps| October 26, 1994 (1994-10-26)
Guy identifies a homeless woman’s body.
8| 7| "The Fine Art of Murder"| Alan J. Levi| Story by : Edward Tivnan & William Link
Teleplay by : Edward Tivnan| November 2, 1994 (1994-11-02)
Simon Jones plays a multimillionaire with Guy acting as his alibi.
9| 8| "Expert Witness"| Corey Allen| Story by : William Link & Edward Tivnan & Nancy Miller
Teleplay by : Charles Kipps & Siobhan Byrne & Nancy Miller| November 16, 1994 (1994-11-16)
An OAP cat burglar is accused of murder.
10| 9| "Mirror, Mirror"| Gwen Arner| Story by : Harold Schechter
Teleplay by : Harold Schechter & Eric Overmyer| November 30, 1994 (1994-11-30)
Guy investigates the death of a well-known lawyer.
11| 10| "Camouflage"| Neema Barnette| Eric Overmyer| December 14, 1994 (1994-12-14)
Guy investigates a 12 year old boy’s murder.
12| 11| "Last Tango"| John Bowab| Story by : Max Eisenberg & Lonon Smith
Teleplay by : Max Eisenberg & Lonon Smith & Edward Tivnan| January 4, 1995 (1995-01-04)
A well-known dancer is found murdered.
13| 12| "Comic Book Murder"| Lou Antonio| Story by : Kenneth Cosby & David Black
Teleplay by : Kenneth Cosby & Siobhan Byrne| January 11, 1995 (1995-01-11)
A comic book artist becomes a prime suspect when a well-known artist is found murdered.
14| 13| "Baker's Dozen"| Nick Havinga| Story by : Jack Richardson
Teleplay by : Charles Kipps & Jack Richardson| February 1, 1995 (1995-02-01)
Guy’s friend mysteriously vanishes.
15| 14| "The Hit Parade"| Neema Barnette| Lee Goldberg & William Rabkin| March 8, 1995 (1995-03-08)
A professional killer is found dead.
16| 15| "Big Brother is Watching"| Alan J. Levi| Terence Winter| March 15, 1995 (1995-03-15)
Guy investigates when a boy he’s partnered with in a Big Brother’s program claims to have witnessed a murder.
17| 16| "The Medium is the Message"| Alan J. Levi| Paul Robert Coyle| March 22, 1995 (1995-03-22)
A recording executive is found murdered on a jogging path.
18| 17| "Goldilocks"| Win Phelps| Lee Goldberg & William Rabkin & Terence Winter| April 5, 1995 (1995-04-05)
Guy returns from holiday early and finds a dead mystery woman’s body in his bed.
19| 18| "Dial H for Murder"| Lou Antonio| R.J. Stewart| April 12, 1995 (1995-04-12)
Last ever episode. Guy’s name is scrawled on the deceased Broadway performer’s hand.

## In popular culture[edit]

* In an episode of The Simpsons, "Guess Who's Coming to Criticize Dinner?", Homer Simpson laments the cancellation of The Cosby Mysteries, saying "That show had limitless possibilities!"
* An episode of Saturday Night Live hosted by Patrick Stewart on February 5, 1994, did a parody sketch of The Cosby Mysteries. Adam Sandler played Cosby as a buffoonish character, who rambles on incoherently with dialog full of made up nonsense words.[7]

## References[edit]

1. ^ "The '95 TV Season: Who's Gone? Who's New? Who's Back?". Ebony. 50 (12): 94. 1995. ISSN 0012-9011. Retrieved January 6, 2010.
2. ^ "The Cosby Mysteries (1994) (TV)". The Internet Movie Database. January 31, 1994. Retrieved January 6, 2010.[unreliable source?]
3. ^ Johnson, Robert E. (1994). "Bill Cosby Begins TV Season With New Mystery Series Co-Starring Lynn Whitfield". JET. 86 (21): 60–63. ISSN 0021-5996. Retrieved January 6, 2010.
4. ^ a b Michele Willens (February 23, 1995). "Bill Cosby's Show Remains a Mystery : Television: NBC pulled the 'failure-proof' star's drama after it floundered but plans to bring a revised show back in March. Still, some believe if Cosby returns, it should be in a sitcom". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
5. ^ Randolph, Laura B. (1994). "Activist-Actor Celebrates 30 Years of Wedded Bliss, Continues Fight Against Black Stereotypes on TV". Ebony. 49 (7): 104. ISSN 0012-9011. Retrieved January 6, 2010.
6. ^ Julio Martinez (June 30, 1994). "The Cosby Mysteries". Variety.com. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
7. ^ "FuzzyMemories.TV – Saturday Night Live – "The Cosby Mysteries" (1994)". February 5, 1994. Retrieved February 29, 2012.

## External links[edit]

* The Cosby Mysteries at IMDb

* v
* t
* e

Bill Cosby

* Filmography
* Discography

Comedy albums|

* Bill Cosby Is a Very Funny Fellow...Right! (1963)
* I Started Out as a Child (1964)
* Why Is There Air? (1965)
* Wonderfulness (1966)
* Revenge (1967)
* To Russell, My Brother, Whom I Slept With (1968)
* 200 M.P.H. (1968)
* It's True! It's True! (1969)
* 8:15 12:15 (1969)
* Sports (1969)
* Live: Madison Square Garden Center (1970)
* When I Was a Kid (1971)
* For Adults Only (1971)
* Inside the Mind of Bill Cosby (1972)
* Fat Albert (1973)
* My Father Confused Me... What Must I Do? What Must I Do? (1977)
* Bill's Best Friend (1978)
* Bill Cosby: Himself (1982)
* Those of You with or Without Children, You'll Understand (1986)
* Oh, Baby! (1991)

Music albums|

* Silver Throat: Bill Cosby Sings (1967)
* Bill Cosby Sings Hooray for the Salvation Army Band! (1968)
* Badfoot Brown & the Bunions Bradford Funeral & Marching Band (1971)
* Bill Cosby Talks to Kids About Drugs (1971)
* Bill Cosby Presents Badfoot Brown & the Bunions Bradford Funeral Marching Band (1972)
* At Last Bill Cosby Really Sings (1974)
* Bill Cosby Is Not Himself These Days (1976)
* Disco Bill (1977)
* State of Emergency (2009)

Compilations|

* The Best of Bill Cosby (1969)
* More of the Best of Bill Cosby (1970)
* Bill (1973)
* Down Under (1975)

Singles|

* "Little Ole Man (Uptight, Everything's Alright)" (1967)

Television|

* The Bill Cosby Show (1969–71)
* The New Bill Cosby Show (1972)
* Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids (1972–85)
* Cos (1976)
* The Cosby Show (1984–92)
* A Different World (1987–93)
* The Cosby Mysteries (1994–95)
* Cosby (1996–2000)
* Little Bill (1999–2004)
* Fatherhood (2004–05)

Stand-up comedy
films and specials|

* Himself (1983)
* Bill Cosby 77 (unreleased)

Family|

* Camille Cosby
* Ennis Cosby
* Erika Cosby

Sexual assault cases|

* Sexual assault cases
* Andrea Constand lawsuit
* We Need to Talk About Cosby (2022)

Related articles|

* In advertising
* List of awards
* List of honorary degrees
* Fatherhood (1986)
* Pound Cake speech (2004)
* Tetragrammaton Records
* Collection of African-American art

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