CHACONZONE

Sad to hear about Malcolm Jamal Warner.

I related so deeply with Malcolm Jamal’s affable character on The Cosby Show that one Christmas, I signed each of my gifts with: From Theo.

So many episodes are worth remembering and revisiting, but who can forget the one featuring the Gordon Gartrelle shirt?!

As so many of you know, Theo was so enamored with the designer that he tried to convince his father, Dr. Huxtable, to buy him the $95 shirt. Of course, as always, the good doctor had a response for the ages: “No 14-year-old boy should have a $90 shirt unless he is on stage with his four brothers.”

When Theo’s sister, Denise, offered to make a replica for a third of the price, the result is the photo you see here.

Below is a condensed version of the exchange between Theo and Denise in the episode: “A Shirt Story.”

Theo: Is this my shirt?! Is this the shirt I paid $30 for? Is this the shirt they’re supposed to think is a Gordon Gartrelle?

Denise: You don’t like it?

Theo: I hate it! Look at it. It’s the ugliest shirt I’ve ever seen.

Theo: Look at these sleeves.

Denise: Maybe if you tucked it in a little more?

Theo: It’s tucked into my socks!

Classic Cosby.
Stellar writing.
Terrific character chemistry.

(Incidentally, about eight months ago, actor Anthony Mackie wore Denise’s version of the iconic shirt on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, creating quite a stir.)

Theo, by every measure, was a kid who everyone could relate to, especially those of us who were about the same age at the time.

Of the hundreds of touching comments I’ve read today, I’ll share a recurring one: No, not Theo!

Like many of you, I wish it weren’t true. Dead at 54 doesn’t seem to make sense.

Malcolm Jamal was the quintessential journeyman, who shared his talent, charisma, and intelligence with all of us at every opportunity.

Today, I find myself feeling sympathy for the void he’s left for both his fictional and real families, but more than that, I’m filled with gratitude for the empathy he inspired through Theo — for me, and countless others.