Theo and Me: Growing Up Okay

by Malcolm-Jamal Warner

The popular teenage television actor uses excerpts from his fan mail as a jumping-off point to discuss troublesome aspects of adolescence, including family life, dating, and drugs, with examples drawn from his own experiences on and off the set of "The Cosby Show."

Genres: Nonfiction

208 pages, Hardcover

First published October 18, 1988

Reviews

[Rena Sherwood · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wow. Where to begin? It's amazing to think that back in 1988, whatever Bill Cosby touched turned to gold. He was as beloved as Penn State football coach Joe Paterno. And both wound up soaked in scandal. So whenever reading about Cosby here, it's hard not to look for accidental double entendres.



This book mostly consists of people stating how smart Malcolm Jamal Warner is and snippets from MJW's fan mail. In fact, about half of this book was written by other people. According to the forward, afterward and book jacket, MJW attempts to give advice to kids and parents on how kids can grow up normal. Actually, there is hardly any advice at all here. It's just "hey -- do whatever your folks tell you to 'cause it's a cold, cruel world out there, huh?"

MJW does give some anecdotes about his life, but they are brief and barely sketched. This was written during a very happy phase in his life. I wonder what he would write about today.



EDIT July 22, 2025: Good-bye, MJW.

[Mimi · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was out family activity to watch the Cosby show in my pre-teen years (once we had a TV). I always identified with Theo and when I saw him on the cover of a book I had to take him home. (the book was written when he was still 18/19)

Malcolm read through his fan mail and picked and answered the main questions to him about fame, life, teen angst etc. Some of his fan mail is hilarious ("my teacher made me write you...". Basically it boiled down to this: all teens feel the same way -no matter where they lived or if they were famous or not.

Best part was the beginning when he told his story of how he was picked by Bill Cosby to play the role of Theo, after that it was predictable stuff.

[Tricia Sean · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this in 11th grade. I don't remember much beyond agreeing with his point of view at the time.

[JR Eftink · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how Theo relayed the tough aspects of today's adolescents to episodes of The Cosby Show!

[Dna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Haha! That was quite the re-read. Theo is a self-congratulating douche nozzle. Never mind the influence of Bill Cosby on this book. Gag me with a spoon.