Cousin Pam made Cosby Jump the Shark
-
Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — Erika Alexander
mr2cool — 17 years ago(April 01, 2009 07:08 PM)
It has been stated by many that the introduction of three new characters in the final seasons of The Cosby Show contributed to the show jumping the Shark. Erika Alexander's cousin Pam is the role that is sited as the primary factor that caused the show's ratings to begin to decline. The other roles include: Elvin Tibideaux (Sondra's husband) and Lt. Martin Kendall (Denise's husband). Most die hard Cosby Show fans believe that these three characters ultimately caused the demise of the show. These characters werer forced on fans instead of being allowed to naturally develop over time. As a result, they just didn't have the depth or intrigue that the other members of The Cosby Show had. Look, I'm sure Erika is talented but her cousin Pam character was too annoying to tolerate. As a matter of fact, she personified the stereotypical black character that The Cosby Show had managed to avoid for years before her arrival. Let's face it, Pam was Ghetto; Elvin was a whiny cry baby, and Martin seemed like her was hard up for love if he was willing to settle for marrying Denise, who unwisely dropped out of college to marry him. These characters spat in the face of the type of family values that Heathcliff and Clair worked so hard for years to instill in their children.
-
jarn2004 — 16 years ago(June 17, 2009 09:04 AM)
exactly Elvin was always a character on the show.
Denise's husband wasnt really forced it was exactly something Denise would do. Randomly get married.
The only problem with Pam as a character IMO is that they put more focus on her than on rudy, who was the only original cosby kid left in the house. -
blaque108 — 16 years ago(October 12, 2009 10:32 AM)
I didn't have a problem with Elvin I thought he fitted in he was Sandra husband apart of the family, Denise husband I liked hi5b4m I thought he fitted in great. I didn't really think the needed Pam and all those other characters like Karen Melina White and Allen Payne they did take away the spotlight from Rudy. Then you had Olivia, she was ok, but in one way the show didn't need her.
-
TheLightFantastic — 12 years ago(January 02, 2014 03:15 PM)
One word: OLIVIA.
^ This! The addition of a cute little kid is generally perceived as a "jump the shark" moment. The character of Pam was a last grasp but hardly what made the show boring or contrived. Raven Symone was cute but it was obvious they were trying to recapture that element Bill Cosby had with the kids who were then far too old. -
womenofbocc — 10 years ago(May 24, 2015 08:08 PM)
Adding Raven-Symone to the mix was to play on the chemistry Cosby had with children. I agree with the person who said that Denise getting married was something that Denise would do. Elvin and Sondra were perfect together, and the Cousin Pam character, wellI might give you that one. I was not that crazy about her. Then I watched Max on Living Single, and I realized why I didnt like her. Max was alive and funny. Pam was drab and annoying.