Why were so many of the Actors on The Cosby Show incapable of being funny?

Because Bill Cosby wasnt funny and he needed to make sure that no one would outshine him, which would not have taken much.

it was never about humor. it was a serious attempt to show an upper middle class successful black family that was highly educated, conservative in values, and just as preppy as white yuppies.

Rashad could be funny.

"I'm not angry. I'm MAD."

Echoing what R2 said, I just wanted to say that they remind me of white upper class yuppies. I’ve never known any to be funny.

I would guess r1's answer is partially correct too.

Lisa Bonet was funny in that episode where she made a terrible shirt for Theo.

I never watched this deadly dull and self-congratulatory show. Most black families were huge fans, but I think it was the joy of representation rather than the quality of the laughs.

Fucking hated this show. It was as horrible as M*A*S*H*. As unfunny too.

Great show, great atmosphere, great outer facade of the house; they had Placido Domingo in it as a series guest star playing a role, not himself, the third greatest classical singer in history, and maybe the greatest Heldentenor ever, I know, I know, this is not an argument in any way against OP. Good intro, the song was partially composed by Bill Cosby, I found him a good dancer as well, and good mover. Didn't find him unfunny. It was very successful here in Germany, and bad US sitcoms did not have it easy here, and German, Austrian and Swiss television did not let in bad Hollywood shows easily.

Plus they had paintings done by black artists. Don't forget that.

Joseph C. Phillips is a deplorable Republican against same sex marriage and affirmative action. It was weird seeing him show up on 13 Reasons Why as one of the parents.