In North Philadelphia, Doris Robertson is a depressed teenager grieving the death of her grandfather and resisting her foster sister Lauri's efforts to engage socially.

Upon learning that her parents will be away for a two day business trip to the Poconos, Doris' tear hits her television remote, as Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids is on.

When the tear opens up a portal to the cartoon world, Fat Albert jumps out of the television upon seeing Doris (except real-life), knowing she has a problem.

Rudy, Dumb Donald, Mushmouth, Bucky, and Old Weird Harold jump out, too; Bill tells Russell to stay put and cover for them.

Searching for guidance, Fat Albert meets his creator, Bill Cosby, and tells him of the dilemma.

Mr. Cosby warns Fat Albert he has to return to the cartoon world, or he will turn into celluloid dust.

[citation needed] The project would eventually be picked up again in 2001 with Omar Benson Miller being cast as the titular character with Forest Whitaker serving as director.

[4] Afterwards, open casting calls were held in New York City and Los Angeles in hopes of finding an unknown child actor to play the titular character but this proved futile and the role was eventually offered to Kenan Thompson.

David Gordon Green expressed interest in directing the film and claimed he lobbied for the director's chair by personally writing a letter to Cosby.

"[8] On Metacritic, the film holds a weighted average score of 39 out of 100, based on 26 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews".

[10] Roger Ebert gave the film two stars out of a possible four, writing, "The movie is sweet and gentle, but not very compelling.