The show was based on the concept from the BBC series "One Foot in the Grave", starring Richard Wilson and Annette Crosbie. David Renwick, the creator and writer of "One Foot in the Grave", was listed as a consultant of "Cosby". "One Foot in the Grave" was notable for containing dark humor for a mainstream sitcom. The tone was significantly lightened for "Cosby", although certain controversial scenes, such as a scene in which the lead character incinerates a live tortoise, albeit by accident, were recreated (though, in this version, with a turtle).