I watched two episodes. That was three too many.

I never got...and still don't get....what is supposed to be funny about this guy. His show in the 80's was predictible at best, downright silly at worst.

A bonafide legend, I really like Bill. The trouble with The Cosby Show though, was that Claire Huxtable was such a mind boogling terrible w(b)itch.

  His recent racial comments aside, I can't say I was ever much of a fan, although occasionally over the years he's made me laugh. I never thought his records were all that funny, and I never watched his most famous sitcom from the 80's, but he did a show in the late 60's/early 70's where he played a high school gym coach which I thought was absolutely hysterical at the time. I haven't seen it in decades, and a lot of people I mention it to seem totally unfamiliar with it, but I wish they'd re-run it again so I can check out whether my childhood impressions were accurate or not. All I remember is that when I watched it as a kid, I laughed until tears ran from my eyes. His "Fat Albert" cartoon brought me some pleasure way back when, and he also did a couple of movies with Sidney Portier in the mid 70's that I thought were very funny. Generally speaking, though, I don't think he's the funniest or most creative guy around; Richard Pryor far outstrips him as America's greatest, funniest (not to mention most mordant) black comedian. I also think Cosby does make some valid, uncomfortable points when it comes to the current racial situation in America, but then so does Louis Farrakhan. The impact of whatever he has to say that is worthwhile and important will probably be blunted by his patent record of pomposity and hypocrisy. It's too bad-- he's an obviously intelligent and talented guy, and at least some of what he's saying with heartfelt sincerity should be listened to.

Bill Cosby wasn't just a black father figure on television, but he was a father figure to an even larger part of the public. His show was one of the most influential in the 80's, and he continued to work on other projects through the next decade. He is absent from regular TV today, but his opinion is still valued today, whether people agree with him or not.

Politically uncomfortable beliefs might have cost him a star in this category, but Cos haters can't deny the power he had over TV in the 80's. . .

Out of the people on this list, Bill Cosby would easily get my top vote, which I am sure is somewhat biased by the fact that the Cosby Show aired during much of my childhood. Cosby knows how to be funny without being vulgar, which seems to be a lost art these days. In addition, the Cosby Show is one of a select few sitcoms that still hold up well years after it's original run ended. Shows such as the Andy Griffith Show, or Leave it to Beaver are just to syrupy to be truly watchable, and other great shows, like All in the Family, are still entertaining, but the issues discussed aren't always that relevent anymore.  But I can still sit and watch old reruns of the Cosby Show, and they're still great.

funny, smart, and ethical.  his show is timeless.  deserving of a top 5 spot for sure.

A man of great character and one who possesses much talent. The Cosby Show set a very high bar for TV excellence in its time.