 Considered by many to be CBS  answer to the "Cosby Show", Charlie & Co. followed the Richmond family, headed by dad Charlie, played by funny-man Flip Wilson a blue-collar worker and his wife, Diana, played by Gladys Knight. Though it was seen as more realistic and relateable than the upscale Huxtable family, Charlie & Co. was not able to latch on to the public the way Cosby had.