Deon Richmond Movies
The millions of Gen-X television devotees who attached themselves to The Cosby Show will have no difficulty recalling actor Deon Richmond -- he was Kenny, the frank and hip friend of the youngest Huxtable charge, Rudy (Keshia Knight Pulliam), though she and the other characters in the clan insisted on referring to him as Bud. Richmond joined the series in 1986, two years into its eight-year run, and remained with it until it wrapped in 1992. Richmond subsequently took several years off to concentrate on his education, until the early 2000s, when he appeared predominantly in teen-oriented films -- both sex comedies (Not Another Teen Movie [2001], National Lampoon's Van Wilder [2002]) and slasher pictures (Scream 3 [2000], Hatchet [2006]). In Hatchet, Richmond received his highest billing to date, playing one of two happy-go-lucky Mardi Gras partiers who take a haunted swamp tour and wind up playing cat-and-mouse with a deformed, homicidal maniac. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide- 1989
Invited to go on an archeological trip to Egypt, Theo (Malcolm Jamal-Warner) is unable to rely on his parents for the necessary money--he's already into them way, way too deep to ask for even a penny more! Meanwhile, Theo's pals Howard (Reno Wilson) and Lou (Alex Ruiz) try to persuade Cliff (Bill Cosby) and Clair (Phylicia Rashad) that the trip will do their son a world of good. Joining the chorus is Theo's teacher Professor Grayson (Eden Svendahl), a clever and capricious lady who provides this final episode of The Cosby Show's fifth season with a most unusual throughline. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
The sixth season of The Cosby Show opens as prodigal daughter Denise Huxtable (Lisa Bonet, once again a series regular) returns from her photographic assignment in Africa. Denise has brought along a couple of surprises for her parents Cliff (Bill Cosby) and Clair (Phylicia Rashad)--specifically, a new husband, Navy lieutenant Martin Kendall (Joseph C. Phillips), and three-year-old Olivia (Raven-Symone) Martin's daughter from a previous marriage! Once they've overcome the shock of Denise's new "family", Cliff and Clair must face the prospect of providing housing for Martin and Olivia until he is shipped out. Denise's blasé attitude over the entire situation does not rest well with the elder Huxtables, and it is up to little Rudy (Keshia Knight Pulliam) to save the day. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
With the rest of the family out of town, Theo (Malcolm-Jamal Warner) has the Huxtable house all to himself. Taking advantage of the sitaution, Theo's pals Howard (Reno Wilson) and Denny (Troy Winbush) talk hm into throwing a small, intimate party for themselves and their girl friends. You guessed it: The festivities quickly get out of hand and the house is overrun with a plague of uninvited guests, who wreak both havoc and damage in equal measure--and worst of all, Theo's girl never shows up! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
Russell (Earle Hyman) manages to scrounge up tickets for a sold-out Michael Jackson concert, but hasn't got enough for the entire Huxtable family to attend. Rather than have her children miss out on the event, Clair (Phylicia Rashad) talks Cliff (Bill Cosby) into staying home with her to babysit Sondra and Elvin's twin babies--only to leave Cliff alone with the kids when she's called away on business. This episode marks the first appearance of infant twins Donovan Bryant and Darrian Bryant as Nelson Tibideaux and Jalese Grays and Janelle Grays as Winnie Tibideaux, all of whom unintentionally "ad-lib" as Cliff tries to tell them a melancholy story from his youth. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
Cliff (Bill Cosby) braves a terrific rainstorm to purchase a few extra ingredients for the Huxtables' Thanksgiving dinner--only to be forced back into the deluge time and again because he keeps forgetting one "little" item after another. To top off the situation, Martin's ex-wife Paula (Victoria Rowell) shows up unexpectedly. How will Denise (Lisa Bonet) react upon meeting her matrimonial predecessor face-to-face? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
After Rudy (Keshia Knight Pulliam) and her friends are denied the privilege of watching a video called "The Gross-Out Gang" in the Huxtable living room, Rudy complains that she is weighed down by too many rules and regulations, while her siblings get to do whatever they want. Mulling over Rudy's litany of grievances, Cliff (Bill Cosby) and Clair (Phylicia Rashad) decide to teach her a lesson by granting every privilege that she asks for, consequences or no consequences. Privilege Number One turns out to be the right to stay up and watch TV as late as she wants--and of course, she soon learns to regret her new-found "liberation." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1988
In a rare pure-fantasy episode, the cast members of The Cosby Show appear in a visualization of a an antiwar fairy tale penned by youngest Huxtable daughter Rudy (Keshia Knight Pulliam). The story is set in Happyland, where the peace and wellbeing of the Happy People is threatened by the invasion of the Nasty People, headed by the Duke of Doom--played by Rudy's taciturn school chum Peter Chiara (Peter Costa). Others in the ensemble included Rudy herself as the flower-girl heroine, Cliff (Bill Cosby) as the Royal Man-at-Arms, Clair (Phylicia Rashad) as Happyland's song leader, Vanessa (Lisa Bonet) as the Wizard, Theo (Malcolm-Jamal Warner) as the Town Crier, Grandpa Russell (Earle Hyman) as the Mayor, Sondra (Sabrina LeBeauf and Elvin (Geoffrey Owens) as Farmers, and Kenny (Deon Richmond) as the King--all dressed in costumes that look as if a child actually designed them! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1988
Aspiring to become her school's first male drum major, Vanessa (Tempestt Bledsoe) is thwarted by the "good ol' boy" chauvinism of the student jury. Exerting pressure on his friends, Theo (Malcolm-Jamal Warner) forces the jury to hold another audition, but doesn't let Vanessa know what has happened--while she assumes that the new audition is being conducted solely because of her "dazzling" talent! Meanwhile, Grandpa Russell (Earle Hyman) has a lot of trouble repaying a long-standing debt to his old musician pal Slim Claxton (Dub Taylor), who stubbornly refuses to accept the money. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1988
On a fishing trip with Cliff (Bill Cosby) and Russell (Earle Hyman), Theo (Malcolm-Jamal Warner) lands the "catch" of a lifetime when he reels in the body of a murdered gangster! In the ensuing media blitz, Theo basks in his new-found celebrity, even though the press insists upon misquoting and misrepresenting him. But our hero soon learns that fame can be fickle when he is upstaged by his own sister Rudy (Keshia Knight Pulliam)...and a nest of abandoned baby birds. This is the final episode of The Cosby Show's fourth season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1988
An uncomfortable Theo (Malcolm-Jamal Warner) tries to avoid visiting his friend Jake (Christopher Collet), who is hospitalized with cancer. Finally, Theo works up the courage to drop in on Jake, who uses humor and good cheer to make things easier for his friend--even though he himself isn't quite as confident about his future as he seems to be. Elsewhere, Elvin (Geoffrey Owens) drops in on the Huxtables and immediately gets into trouble by doing a spot-on impersonation of Cliff (Bill Cosby). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1988
Singer Melba Moore guest stars as Rudy's schoolteacher Mrs. Abbott. When her parents get a letter from her teacher, Rudy (Keshia Knight Pulliam) fears the worst. Actually, Mrs. Abbott is quite pleased with Rudy's classroom performance, except for the fact that the girl refuses to play the violin in music class. Accordingly, Cliff (Bill Cosby) invites classmates Kenny (Deon Richmond) and Kim (Naoka Nakagawa) to the house to rehearse with Rudy, despite Kenny's fears that the girls will clash--as in "clash of cymbals!" ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1988
In the first episode of a two-part story (originally networkcast as an hour-long special), Elvin (Geoffrey Jones has trouble believing that Sondra (Sabrina LeBeau) is going into labor after three false alarms. However, Sondra's dad Cliff (Bill Cosby)--who's had a certain amount of experience in these matters--declares that it's the "real thing" this time. As Elvin goes into full panic mode, Cliff frets over the fact that someone other than himself will be helping Sondra deliver. Meanwhile, Theo's girlfriend Justine (Michelle Thomas) doesn't accept the premise that Theo (Malcolm-Jamal Warner) can remain "just friends" with drop-dead-gorgeous Julia (played by supermodel Naomi Campbell). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1988
In the conclusion of a two-part story (originally networkcast as an hour-long special), Sondra (Sabrina LeBeau) gives birth to twins, a boy and a girl, whom she names Nelson and Winnie (as in "Mandela"). Grandfather Cliff (Bill Cosby) is of course elated, but he's also worried that Sondra's husband Elvin will not be able to shoulder his new financial responsibilities--but Elvin has a surprise for all concerned. Meanwhile, Clarice (Phylicia Rashad) and Mrs. Tibedeaux (Marcella Lowry) adjust (sort of) to being grandmothers; and Theo (Malcolm-Jamal Warner) continues to be attracted to his pal Howard's girlfriend Julia (played by supermodel Naomi Campbell), which doesn't bother Howard (Roy Wilson) but certainly annoys Theo's girl Justine (Michelle Thomas). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1988
In this thriller, a successful executive risks it all to help a street orphan get disentangled from the world of drugs. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alfre Woodard, Mario Van Peebles, (more)
- 1987
Cliff (Bill Cosby) takes his daughter Rudy (Keshia Knight Pulliam) and two of her friends to a vaudeville tribute featuring such vintage performers as "The Great Ballantine" (Carl Ballantine, reprising the comedy magic act which regaled decades of The Ed Sullivan Show) fans. Unfortunately, the kids are bored stiff by the sparsely attended show--until emcee Eddie Bartholomew (played by master mime Bill Irwin) goes into his eye-popping routine. Elsewhere, Vanessa's former boyfriend Robert (Dondre T. Whitfield) scares off yet another prospective date by impulsively proposing marriage. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
- R
In this violent crime drama, the residents of a New York City housing project live in fear of The Vampires, the brutal gang that continually terrorizes them. Things change after an insurance agent and a telephone repairman end up trapped there. Perhaps things would not be so desperate had the fellow not accidentally offended one of the gang members. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gary Frank, Ray Parker, Jr., (more)
- 1987
When Theo (Malcolm-Jamal Warner) and Cockroach (Carl Anthony Payne II) show up late from school and nearly cause the family to miss Vanessa's production of "South Pacific", Cliff (Bill Cosby) demands an explanation. Theo insists that he was tardy because of his cross-country coach's bizarre behavior at the Circus Burger restaurant. But a later phone call from the school principal suggests that Theo isn't telling the whole truth, whereupon Clair (Phylicia Rashad) holds a mock trial in the "First District Court of Brooklyn" (actually the Huxtable's living room) to determine what really happened--and, ultimately, to mete out a suitable punishment! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
Cliff (Bill Cosby) incurs the wrath of his next door neighbor Jeffrey Engels (Wallace Shawn) when he can't find a power drill that he has borrowed. Unable to understand why Engels has overreacted, Cliff must be reminded by Clair (Phylicia Rashad) that he himself has behaved the same way (even worse, in fact) in similar circumstances. Ultimately, Cliff resolves the situation by using the time-honored process of elimination. Meanwhile, Rudy (Keshia Knight Pulliam) and Kenny (Deon Richmond) put together a "haunted house" for Halloween. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
Cliff (Bill Cosby) takes Rudy (Keshia Knight Pulliam) and her little friends to a fancy restaurant that specializes in "gourmet burgers." Unfortunately, the kids find their expensive meal inedible, and it is up to a sympathetic waiter (Lee Weaver) to save the day. Elsewhere, Clair (Phylicia Rashad) is visited by her sister Sarah (Yvonne Erwin), who announces her plans to become a mother; and Theo (Malcolm-Jamal Warner) has an ulterior motive when he agrees to give sister Vanessa (Tempestt Bledsoe) some tennis lessons. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
Throwing a bridal shower for her friend Veronica (Lela Rochon), Denise (Lisa Bonet) is shocked to learn that Veronica deliberately got herself pregnant so her parents couldn't object to her marriage plans. Meanwhile, Clair (Phylicia Rashad) endeavors to keep Cliff (Bill Cosby) and Theo (Malcolm-Jamal Warner) from intruding upon the shower, ordering them to fix a few closet shelves--even though Cliff's track record with "do it yourself" projects is none too good). And temporary babysitter Vanessa (Tempestt Bledsoe) has trouble with Rudy (Keshia Knight Pulliam) and Kenny (Deon Richmond) at the skating rink. Appearing uncredited as a shower guest is Charnelle Brown, who later played Kim Reese on the Cosby Show spinoff A Different World. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
Inspired by a speech delivered by one of the surviving "Tuskegee Airmen", Theo (Malcolm-Jamal Warner) and Cockroach (Carl Anthony Payne II) yearn to become pilots themselves. Alas, our heroes remain grounded because they lack two important things: Money and Parental Consent. Meanwhile, Rudy brings home a new friend whom she calls "Bud", but whom the viewers will come to know as Kenny (Deon Richmond). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
This episode was written to accommodate the pregnancy of series star Phylicia Rashad, aka Clair Huxtable. When Clair and her mom Anna leave for Hillman College to attend a ceremony honoring the retiring president, Cliff (Bill Cosby) and his dad Russell (Earle Hyman) are put in charge of the kids. A crisis arises when Cliff tries to mediate an argument between Rudy (Keshia Knight Pulliam) and her friend Kenny, as Russell watches from the sidelines with quiet amusement. Also, Theo (Malcolm-Jamal Warner) can't understand why he has been receiving so many phone calls from giggling girls, who immediately hang up when he answers! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1984
The series that literally rescued the moribund situation comedy genre from oblivion, NBC's The Cosby Show made its first appearance on September 20, 1984. By the time its first season was over, the series was the second-highest-rated program in the country, enabling NBC to build a brand-new sitcom empire with such popular offerings as Frasier, Seinfeld, and Friends. Bill Cosby was of course the creator of the series, in concert with the Carsey-Werner Company, whose later efforts included Roseanne, 3rd Rock From the Sun, and That '70s Show. Cosby played the leading character, Dr. Cliff Huxtable, a successful obstetrician who lived in a fashionable Brooklyn townhouse with his attorney wife, Clair (played by Phylicia Ayers-Allen, later billed as Phylicia Rashad). The couple's children included daughters Sondra (Sabrina Le Beauf), Denise (Lisa Bonet), Vanessa (Tempestt Bledsoe), and Rudy (Keshia Knight Pulliam) and son Theo (Malcolm-Jamal Warner). Among the many other characters were Cliff's dad, Russell (Earle Hyman), and mom, Anna (Clarice Taylor); Sondra's boyfriend -- and later husband -- Elvin Tibedeaux (Geoffrey Owens); Theo's pal Cockroach (Carl Anthony Payne II); Rudy's friends Peter (Peter Costa) and Kenny (Deon Richmond); Vanessa's boyfriend Dabnis (William Thomas Jr.); Clair's second cousin, Bedford-Stuyvesant refugee Pam Turner (Erika Alexander); and Pam's friends Slida (Mushond Lee), Charmaine (Karen Malina White), and Lance (Allen Payne). Also, after briefly leaving the series to star in her own series, A Different World, Lisa Bonet returned in the role of Denise, then-married to Lt. Martin Kendall (Joseph C. Phillips) and stepmother of Martin's daughter, Olivia (Raven-Symone). Increasing the number of family members were Sondra and Elvin's twin children, Winnie and Nelson, played during the series' final season by Jessica Vaughn and Gary Gray. Unlike many sitcoms with African-American casts, The Cosby Show did not overemphasize its racial aspects, nor did it traffic in stereotypical characters or dialogue. Put simply, the Huxtables could have been any upper-middle-class family of any color, and it was their normality and universality that made the series a hit with viewers from all ethnic groups. The winner of innumerable industry awards, and America's top-rated sitcom for a remarkable five years in a row, The Cosby Show finished its network run on September 17, 1992, and has been a welcome fixture in the syndicated-rerun field ever since. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bill Cosby, Phylicia Rashad, (more)
