Goodbye Mr. Fish
Goodbye Mr. Fish
"Goodbye Mr. Fish" is the second episode of the first season of The Cosby Show. It aired on NBC on September 27, 1984. It was directed by Jay Sandrich and written by Earl Pomerantz.
Plot
Rudy’s pet goldfish Lamont dies, and the family has a hard time telling her. When they do, Rudy becomes sad. The older kids mock the death, and Theo even suggests a memorial service near the family toilet. Cliff makes the family hold a proper funeral in the bathroom, with everyone dressed in funeral clothes. Rudy grows tired of the ceremony and leaves to watch TV, then asks for privacy to use the toilet.
Production
This was the first episode taped after the Pilot, on August 1, 1984, in a Brooklyn NBC studio with a live audience. The set on the first floor is different from later seasons, and this episode is notable for showing the bathroom, which was rare for a sitcom at the time.
Reception
The episode was a hit with both critics and viewers. It finished third in the Nielsen ratings for the week, with about 19.1 million viewers. It earned Emmy and Writers Guild Award nominations for its writing, and an Emmy nomination for sound mixing. TV Guide later ranked it #15 on its list of the 100 Greatest Episodes. Many critics consider it one of the most memorable episodes and a highlight of the series.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 07:56 (CET).