Today In TV History: The Cosby Show

On this date in 1984, The Cosby Show premiered on NBC, and changed America's feelings about the sitcom in general. Before Cosby, the network was already airing quality (but largely unsung) half-hours like Cheers and Family Ties; but only after Cliff and Clair Huxtable and their Brooklyn brood became immediate sensations did NBC build a Thursday night lineup which would come to be called "Must-See TV."

Last fall, I had the opportunity to sit down for an interview with Phylicia Rashad, aka the Huxtable family mom, Clair, for the Archive of American Television. Here, in this six-minute excerpt, Ms. Rashad talks about The Cosby Show, its popularity and especially its impact.