The Cosby Show Wiki
Register
Advertisement

A Shirt Story is the fifth episode of Season 1 of The Cosby Show. The episode was directed by Jay Sandrich and written by John Markus. The episode originally aired in the United States on NBC on Thursday October 18,1984.

Synopsis[]

Theo gets a shirt that cost too much, so Denise makes him an "Exact" replica. Well....ALMOST!

Plot[]

Theo wants to impress a girl he's taking out on a date by buying an expensive shirt by famed new designer Gordon Gartrelle. Clair takes him to Cliff's favorite men's store but does not accompany Theo. When they bring home the shirt, as Theo gloats over it, Cliff reads the receipt and discovers the shirt cost $95. Appalled, Cliff and Clair both agree the shirt will be returned. When Theo objects, Cliff agrees to give him $30 to buy a nice, less expensive shirt. Feeling dejected, Theo talks to Denise. Denise offers to make a copy of the shirt for him.

Meanwhile, Cliff is coming down with what appears to be a nasty cold but refuses to admit it. He becomes more ill, trying to hide his symptoms, especially from Clair.

Denise finds that making a shirt is more difficult than she expected. When she tells her parents, they both encourage her to finish the job as simply quitting is a common habit of hers. When she asks for another $10 for supplies, Cliff gives it to her.

Denise finishes the shirt right before Theo's date arrives. The shirt looks terrible with mismatched sleeves, an unaligned collar and it's simply too large. Enraged, Theo marches downstairs and complains to his father, who tries to empathize with Theo's plight but is also amused, barely able to contain his laughter. Cliff explains that Theo shouldn't have placed all his faith in Denise's ability. He also relates an anecdote of his own from Theo's childhood when he was set to give an important speech and a four-year-old Theo insisted he wear an outrageous necktie. Cliff wore the tie and drew a lot of laughter from his audience but after speaking for a few minutes his knowledge overshadowed the tie and he gained his audience's attention. Theo is not wholly convinced and begs Cliff to let him make a quick run to the store to buy another Gartrelle shirt, saying he'll do anything for Cliff in the future. Cliff counters saying he'd never taken back the first shirt Theo had gotten. Theo walks into the living room to find that his date and his friends have arrived early. Theo is horrified and tries to cover up the shirt he's wearing, even finding some sudden support from Cliff, who claims the sham shirt is his own. Theo steps up, telling his date the shirt is his and it's not a Gartrelle. His date tells him it looks like a shirt made by a new designer, Itchy Amarada. Suddenly emboldened, Theo happily goes on his date.

As they both sit on the couch, Cliff finally admits to Clair that he's ill and he needs her to take care of him.

Did You Know?

  • Kadeem Hardison, who years later would portray Dwayne Wayne on the Cosby Show spinoff, A Different World, makes a guest appearance as Phillip. The name "Gordon Gartrelle" was taken from a staff member, who eventually became a writer/producer for The Cosby Show during the final two seasons of the series.

Episode scene quotes[]

  • Cliff: No 14 year old boy should have a $95 shirt unless he is on stage with his four brothers.

Is this interesting? | Share this

  • Clair: Theo, wear a jacket.
  • Theo: And cover my Itchy Amorada?

  • Denise: [Theo's complaining about the shirt fitting horribly] Well maybe if you tuck it in a little...
  • Theo: [through gritted teeth] It's tucked into my socks!

  • Cliff: No 14-year-old boy should have a ninety-five dollar shirt, unless he is on stage with his four brothers!

Cast[]

Advertisement