Ep 39. Spare the Rod
- September 22, 1979
Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids was an animated television series that aired from 1972-1985. Created by comedian Bill Cosby, the show followed the adventures of a group of inner-city African American kids who all attended the same school. The show dealt with important issues like racism, drug abuse, and peer pressure, all while being entertaining and enjoyable for both children and adults.
Season 1 episode 39, titled Spare the Rod, aired on December 16, 1972. The episode opens with the kids hanging out at a playground, where they encounter a boy named Hogan. Hogan seems to be a bit of a troublemaker, and he quickly gets into a fight with one of Fat Albert's friends. Meanwhile, the kids' school is having a fundraiser, and they all want to contribute. When they learn that Hogan's father is a famous boxer, they decide to ask him if he could donate something for the fundraiser.
When they go to Hogan's house, they meet his father, a tough-looking man named Big Moose. The kids are intimidated by him, but they bravely ask him if he could donate some boxing gloves or something else boxing-related to their fundraiser. Big Moose is unimpressed and tells the kids to come back when they have something worth his time.
On the way back to school, the kids stop by a store and decide to steal some candy. Hogan, who has been tagging along with them, tells the others that they shouldn't steal. Fat Albert, however, convinces Hogan to go along with it. They are caught by the store owner, who calls the police. When the police arrive, they find out that Hogan's father is Big Moose, and they are hesitant to get involved.
Meanwhile, back at the school, the kids are getting ready for their fundraiser, but they haven't been able to collect very much money. Suddenly, Big Moose walks in and announces that he will personally donate a pair of his old boxing gloves. The kids are ecstatic, and they thank him profusely.
Later, the police arrive at the school and try to arrest Hogan for shoplifting. The kids, realizing that they have put Hogan in danger, step up and take responsibility for the theft. They explain that Hogan had tried to stop them, but they convinced him to go along with it. Big Moose overhears their conversation and is impressed by their honesty. He tells the police to let the kids go and takes them all home.
When they get to Hogan's house, Big Moose sits the kids down and has a heart-to-heart with them. He tells them that stealing is never the answer, and that they should always try to do the right thing. He also tells them that he is disappointed in his own son for getting involved with them and says that he will deal with Hogan himself.
The episode ends with the kids back at the playground, reflecting on what they learned. They realize that they made a mistake by stealing, but they are proud that they took responsibility for their actions and did the right thing in the end. Hogan, who has been grounded by his father, watches from a distance and smiles.
Overall, Spare the Rod is a powerful episode that deals with important themes of honesty, responsibility, and the importance of making good choices. It shows that even in difficult situations, it's possible to do the right thing and learn from our mistakes.
