Theo's Holiday

Theo's Holiday is the 22nd episode of Season 2 of The Cosby Show, also the 46th overall in the series. The episode was directed by Jay Sandrich and written by John Markus, Carmen Finestra, and Matt Williams. The episode originally aired in the United States on NBC on April 3, 1986.

Synopsis

After Theo claims that he will have no problem making it in the "real world", the Huxtables convert their house in the "Real World Apartments" and teach him a lesson about the real world; i.e., needing employment and references to get an apartment, income to get a bank loan, having to pay for his meals, etc.

Plot summary

Theo has been borrowing and spending money left and right, and has made no effort to pay anyone back. His parents criticize his poor financial decisions and inform him he won't be able to get away with this kind of behavior, when he's out on his own. A cocky Theo is sure that he'll easily land a job as a fashion model and have a great car, apartment and lots of spending money. So the Huxtables stage an elaborate scheme to prove to him that living on your own is not what it's cracked up to be. Theo's lesson in reality starts when the Huxtable home is converted into the Real World Apartments with Cliff as the strictly business landlord, Harley Weewax; Clair as the restaurant owner, Millie Farquar, and the furniture store owner, Amanda; Denise as Miss Firestone, the shrewd head of a modeling agency, and Denise Farquar, waitress at the restaurant and Millie's daughter; Vanessa as building tenant Margo Farnsworth, the modeling agency gum-cracking receptionist Kitty LaRue, and Mrs. Covington, the bank vice-president, and Rudy as the hard-nosed bank loan officer and owner of Real World Apartments, the Chuckwagon Restaurant, the furniture store, and the electric company, Mrs. Griswald.

At the beginning, Theo is given $2000 in play money and believes he has it made, until Mr. Weewax asks for $1200 for two month's rent and $600 for a security deposit, totaling $1800. He refuses to take the money, however, until Theo can provide proof he has a job and asks for his age. Theo responds that he is 18, and Mr. Weewax denies him the apartment, claiming 18 year olds party too much. Theo then claims he's 23, having been on his own since 18, and Mr. Weewax retracts the immediate denial.

Theo is unable to provide documentation of employment, but Mr. Weewax directs him to a modeling agency in the building. He interviews with the owner, Mrs. Firestone (Denise), but is unable to produce needed pictures documenting experience as a model. Mrs. Firestone tells him such a package will cost $800 to $1200. Theo tries to persuade her to write a letter stating he is a model, but she refuses.

Theo then gets his friend Cockroach to pose as his employer, Horton W. Dansbury, president of Cockroach Oil. Theo tells Mr. Weewax that he works for Cockroach Oil as a model spokesman. With that, Mr. Weewax decides to let him rent the apartment, taking the $1800 and leaving Theo now with only $200 to his name. Initially, Theo believes he has "won" the game, but Mr. Weewax does not break character. Theo then says he needs to talk his father, and Mr. Weewax leaves and returns as Cliff. He tells Theo the "real world" game is on for another 24 hours, and in the meantime, Theo will have to figure out a way to furnish the apartment, turn on the utilities, and eat during that time. He then leaves and returns as Mr. Weewax, and directs Theo to go to a furniture store in the building to buy "his" furniture.

Theo and Cockroach then proceed to "Amanda's Furniture City", run by Amanda (Clair). Theo is shocked at how expensive everything is and Amanda advises he will need to get a bank loan, as he has no credit cards or checks and $200 will not buy all that he needs. She directs Theo to the "bank" within the building, owned by the crusty Mrs. Griswold (Rudy).

Before going to the bank, Theo and Cockroach stop by the "Chuckwagon Restaurant" (the Huxtable's kitchen), where Denise (whose character is actually named Denise) is working as a waitress for Millie Farquar (Clair). The boys raid the refrigerator and begin to eat when suddenly Denise presents them with their check, charging them $24.50 (without tip) for their meal. Theo decides to save money and accepts an apple instead for $2, which he splits with Cockroach.

At the bank, Theo is initially despondent with Mrs. Covington (Vanessa), the bank vice president, but Cockroach speaks for him. Mrs. Covington, however, stuns Cockroach by asking for his business phone number, which he doesn't have. With things not looking too good for Theo to get approved for a loan, Mrs. Covington takes pity and recommends approval to Mrs. Griswold. Mrs. Griswold refuses the loan, as Theo has "NOTHING!" (save for a "job" which can't be confirmed and $198 to his name).

Later that night, Theo is in his "apartment" with a few blankets, a pillow, and a small lamp that he is renting from Cockroach. He "bought" the stereo at Amanda's, but has no electricity, as it would cost $50 to turn it on and the power company is owned by Mrs. Griswold, who previously turned him down for a loan. Cliff and Claire arrive (as themselves), Cliff turns on his lights, and they offer Theo his favorite meal, a bacon burger dog. Theo sees how rough the "real world" can be and learns his lesson.

Trivia

Cliff wears a cap that says Magnum P.I., referencing The Cosby Show surpassing Magnum P.I as the number one show on Thursday nights, eventually becoming the number one show in prime time during the same season.

Goofs

Continuity

In all establishing shots of the Huxtable house, it seen as being in the middle of a group of houses, with fences on either side of the front steps. In episode #2.21 ("An Early Spring") some scenes take place on the Huxtable's front steps. In these scenes, there is a driveway to the left of the steps, and to the right of the house there is an alley.

Theo states at the end that "Mrs. Griswold" owns the power company. Public utility companies are not owned by individuals. However, since Mrs. Griswold is shown to be very wealthy, she could own a lot of stock in the company and therefore influence any decisions they make.

Mrs. Covington and Mrs. Griswold should have at least offered Theo the opportunity to open an account with the $198 he had.

*Note: Sabrina Le Beauf does not appear in this episode.