The Cosby Mysteries

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The Cosby Mysteries was a television mystery series starring Bill Cosby. It was Cosby's first television show since The Cosby Show (which ended in the spring of 1992) and lasted only one season (1994-1995). Actor-Turned-Rapper Mos Def appeared in several episodes.

Cosby played Guy Hanks, a New York Police Department criminalist who retired from the force after winning $44 million in the lottery. However, his peaceful retirement was frequently interrupted since he was called in as a consultant on tough cases by his old partner, Adam Sully (James Naughton). As Hanks used his wits and his forensics knowledge to solve crimes, he dealt with his holistic housekeeper Angie (Rita Moreno) and his girlfriend Barbara Lorenz (Lynn Whitfield).

The show was created by David Black and William Link. Link's previous series included Columbo and Murder, She Wrote. Link developed the series at Cosby's request, as Cosby wanted to do an intelligent, character-driven mystery series that did not rely on graphic violence.

The show began in January 1994 as a two-hour movie, and regular episodes began airing on NBC in September. It only lasted 18 episodes, and was never successful.

The Cosby Mysteries airs in the UK on digital channel ITV3 as of 2007 on Saturdays. It has been re-run on A&E and TVOne.

[edit] In Popular Culture

In The Simpsons episode "Guess Who's Coming to Criticize Dinner?", Homer blames the Springfield Shopper's TV critic for the cancellation of The Cosby Mysteries, saying "That show had limitless possibilities!"