The Cosby Mysteries
| 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 |
| Original release | |
| Network | NBC |
| Release | January 31, 1994 – April 12, 1995 |
The Cosby Mysteries was a short-lived 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 Yasiin Bey (also known as 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 is frequently interrupted by his former colleagues, Detective Adam Sully (James Naughton) and medical examiner John Chapman (Robert Stanton), who ask him to consult on tough cases. As Hanks uses his wits and his forensics knowledge to solve crimes, he deals 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 until its cancellation the following year. 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 in one season, and was cancelled permanently 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
- Yasiin Bey as Dante Beze
- Lynn Whitfield as Barbara Lorenz
Series overview
[edit]| Season | Episodes | Originally aired | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First aired | Last aired | |||
| Pilot | 1 | January 31, 1994 | ||
| 1 | 18 | September 21, 1994 | April 12, 1995 | |
Episodes
[edit]Pilot (1994)
[edit]| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "Pilot" | Jerry London | David Black and William Link | January 31, 1994 | |
|
First ever episode. NYPD criminalist Guy Hanks retires from the force. | ||||||
Season 1 (1994-95)
[edit]| No. overall | 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 | |
|
Guy is profoundly shocked when a killer targets lottery winners. Note: This is the first regular episode. | ||||||
| 3 | 2 | "Our Lady of Cement" | Philip Sgriccia | Story by : Robert Van Scoyk Teleplay by : Alfonse Ruggiero | September 28, 1994 | |
|
A mummified corpse is found in a refurbished apartment. | ||||||
| 4 | 3 | "Self Defense" | E. W. Swackhamer | Edward Tivnan | October 5, 1994 | |
|
Sully is accused of murdering a cop. | ||||||
| 5 | 4 | "Only You" | E. W. Swackhamer | Siobhan Byrne | October 12, 1994 | |
|
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 | |
|
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 | |
|
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 | |
|
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 | |
|
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 | |
|
Guy investigates the death of a well-known lawyer. | ||||||
| 11 | 10 | "Camouflage" | Neema Barnette | Eric Overmyer | December 14, 1994 | |
|
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 | |
|
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 | |
|
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 | |
|
Guy’s friend mysteriously vanishes. | ||||||
| 15 | 14 | "The Hit Parade" | Neema Barnette | Lee Goldberg & William Rabkin | March 8, 1995 | |
|
A professional killer is found dead. | ||||||
| 16 | 15 | "Big Brother Is Watching" | Alan J. Levi | Terence Winter | March 15, 1995 | |
|
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 | |
|
A recording executive is found murdered on a jogging path. | ||||||
| 18 | 17 | "Goldilocks" | Win Phelps | Lee Goldberg & William Rabkin & Terence Winter | April 5, 1995 | |
|
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 | |
|
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]- ^ "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.
- ^ "The Cosby Mysteries (1994) (TV)". The Internet Movie Database. January 31, 1994. Retrieved January 6, 2010.[unreliable source?]
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Julio Martinez (June 30, 1994). "The Cosby Mysteries". Variety.com. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
- ^ "FuzzyMemories.TV – Saturday Night Live – "The Cosby Mysteries" (1994)". February 5, 1994. Retrieved February 29, 2012.
External links
[edit]- Bill Cosby
- 1990s American drama television series
- 1994 American television series debuts
- 1995 American television series endings
- 1990s American mystery television series
- American English-language television shows
- Fictional portrayals of the New York City Police Department
- Forensic science in popular culture
- Television series by Sony Pictures Television
- Television shows set in New York City
- American detective television series
- Television series created by William Link
- NBC television dramas