TV Dads

[The Mad Plumber]

I was thinking a little about the film Bill Cosby Himself. While I greatly admire his stand-up comedic skills, I believe some of my greatest impressions of Cosby was as the iconic TV dad Cliff Huxtable. I was almost going to say that it was my initial impression, but I'd forgotten that Cosby was also the host of Picture Pages. It gets me to thinking that it takes more than to be a biological father to be considered a TV dad. So I thought I'd open this thread for kicks where members can talk about who they think are the great TV dads or what it takes to be a great TV dad.

Phillip Banks
Now, I have to admit there was time that I liked Fresh Prince of Bel Air and could possibly still enjoy the episodes from before the point that the show jumped the shark. It's a little strange to qualify Uncle Phil as one of the great TV dads since he isn't the biological father of Will Smith's character. However, as it was emphasized in one particular dramatic episode that I admittedly enjoy, Uncle Phil is the closest thing to a father that Will had.

Willie Tanner
Tanner is unfortunately a character that I probably have to lambaste as not being one of the great TV dads. Without having seen much of the series in years, it's my observation that Tanner's kids pretty much parent themselves. It's ALF that's Willie's problem, and he doesn't have the slightest means of keeping him under control.

Al Bundy
Given that, to my understanding, the working title for Married ... With Children was Not the Cosbys, I think that pretty much spells out where Al Bundy ranks as a TV dad. Al does have his moments, though, such as turning the faces of all of Kelly's ambitious boyfriends into silly putty. I think he even beat up Matt LeBlanc, so that's got to count for something.

Tim Taylor
Taylor is another character that I think fails the TV dad test. He comes off more like being Jill Taylor's oldest child.

Dan Conner
Dan Conner reminds me a little of my dad, an easy-going, comically-quipping construction worker. Probably not related to his parenting skills, but one of Dan's shining moments was giving Jackie's abusive boyfriend a taste of his own medicine.

[mummifiedstalin]

There aren't too many TV dads I admire. They seem to fall into one of two extremes: You either get the Father Knows Best dad who is somehow above all the trials and tribulations of his family OR you get the bumbling Al Bundy oafs. Cosby fit into the first category -- they pretended like he was occasionally dense, but when it came down to it, he always did the right thing.

That said, what dads do I like?

Don Draper
I know, the Mad Men main guy is supposed to be portrayed as an awful father who never puts his kids first. But...put him in a historical context, especially in the last season, and he looks more realistic. Here's a guy who, admittedly, is self-absorbed. But he's also realizing what it's going to take to repair his relationship with his children (or at least his daughter) after letting it fall apart. What I like about him is that realism: started off as a horrible failure, and is now trying, however amateurishly, to make amends.

William Adama
(I couldn't help it...) Here's a military dad who lost one son and has a tense relationship with the remaining one. He's best at being dad of his warship, where he just has to have the firm hand of a loving leader AND where roles are clearly proscribed. But in personal relationships, he tries to play the military role, and suffers for it. Again, realism because he's a mixture of the kind of dad you want to be completely devoted to, but, in very personal terms, he's far too strict and demanding to give love easily.

[Torgo]

There can be only one.



Ken Titus to rule them all. Wussy.

[The Mad Plumber]

I was considering the possibility of Joel Robinson, but what can you say about a dad that is constantly reprogramming his children or taking them apart to turn them into two-header monsters?

[solgroupie]

tom bosley

he was everyone's father in the 70's who watched happy days. he could be grumpy, but he took everything in stride from richie's first drunk to adopting the town pimp. and he still had time to get frisky with mrs. c.


michael gross

steven keaton was a great dad - i liked how easy going he was, which says a lot for a hippie raising a hardcore repuplican.


dan castellaneta

homer simpson must be acknowledged. he's an idiot, but he genuinely loves his family. except maybe for that halloween episode when he told the aliens, "don't eat me! i have a wife and kids - eat them!" when it comes down to it, he is willing to steal, get beaten up or nearly killed for his kids. top that.


mike judge

keeping with the animated theme, i have to mention hank hill from king of the hill. all he wanted was a son to be just like him in all ways, and bobby is about as complete opposite as he can get. hank constantly had to learn how to come around, which i imagine isn't easy for anyone in texas.

and the piece de resistance -


robert reed

mike brady knocks them all off the playing field. as if raising three boys wasn't hard enough, he took on three daughters and never played favorites with any of them. he rarely lost his temper and he was always there for a stern, yet compassionate talk of anything from facing disappointment to thinking of someone else's feelings.

[Mighty Jack]

How can we forget Hugh Beaumont as Ward Clever.

I know "Leave it to Beaver" gets lumped in with those 'too perfect' family dramedies, and there was some of that (and June wasn't the most fleshed out character), but also (early on in the series at least), it tackled some mature issues - like alcoholism. And for a 50s TV show, did so with intelligence.

Anyway, what I liked about Ward is that he wasn't perfect. He was pretty impatient and sometimes he got it wrong. He could be grumpy and yell. But he also loved his family and when he was wrong, he'd (eventually) own up to it and learn from the mistake. And when he was on his game he was a wise and caring father and husband.

I always loved Ward, he was my favorite TV dad when I was growing up. Maybe it's because he reminded me of my father - a man not without flaws, but also with a big heart and a wise soul. Smart, with a nice sense of humor, and he was someone who was always there for you.