Top Ten TV Dads (and their Greatest Character Flaw)
Ward Cleaver, Leave It To Beaver
Aah, the 50's. Such an idyllic, peaceful, completely white time. All Ward had to do was work in his "office" doing his "job" and come home to a hot meal and children to scold. You know how mischievous little boys are, they don't mean any harm, and Ward made sure to send them on their way with a moral lesson and a good hair ruffling.
Major Character Flaw: Hugely sexist. Possibly racist. Definitely poisoning his children's dinner, as you can see from this clip:
Mmmm! Hamburgers with carcinogens? Better than ketchup!
Mike Brady, The Brady Bunch
Mike Brady was the calm and goodhearted dad to the wild and wacky (and occasionally rock star) Brady kids, and how great that he just loved those little blond girls as much as his own crazy boys? He's got "You see kids..." wisdom in spades, and has a cool job as an architect. That is Grade A Dad material right there.
Major Character Flaw: Man, he was kinda boring. Right?
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| That suit, however? Not boring. |
Cliff Huxtable, The Cosby Show
Everyone wanted Bill Cosby to be their Dad in the 80's. He was funny, sweet, completely in love with his wife, and willing to put up with stupid Theo, crazy Denise, and a Cockroach. Plus, he could dance! Well, sorta.
Major Character Flaw: Sartorially challenged. Of course, I bet it's easier to control your children when they can be hypnotized by your sweater.
As well as his mad mic skills.
Steven Keaton, Family Ties
Originally intended to be a "hip" parent with "square" kids, the 80's got to Daddy Keaton as son Alex P. became the star and spent most of the time showing out out of touch Dad was. But come on, he had beliefs! Plus, you know he recycled.
Major Character Flaw: A damned dirty hippy.
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| Seriously, look at how high they are. |
Dan Conner, Roseanne
Good ole' blue collar Dan loved football, beer, and his old dirty couch. But even more than that, he loved his kids, even when one of them completely changed into a different person after a few years.
Major Character Flaw: Not so big on the "talking" thing. This is still one of my favorite TV Dad moments of all time (and great acting from John Goodman):
Danny Tanner, Full House
Almost retro in his wholesomeness, Danny was an advice and hug machine, dealing with three girls and their very dramatic problems. Plus, Kimmy. Seriously, everybody has an annoying neighbor on TV. Lazy choice, guys.
Major Character Flaw: Um, the creepy bachelor uncles who lived in the house with his three young girls. Jesse was alright, but that other one...
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| Yeah, would you let this guy anywhere near your kids? |
Hal, Malcom in the Middle
Even though he doesn't have a last name, this hilarious Dad tried really hard to keep his kids in line. Well, not really, but he stayed out of the way while his wife did it, and that's a great dad!
Major Character Flaw: He's a little...um, how shall I put this...nervous?
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| Somebody just asked him what he wanted in his coffee. |
Jack Bristow, Alias
This Spy Daddy might have had a hard time expressing his feelings, but there's nothing he wouldn't do for his darling daughter Sydney.
Major Character Flaw: Yeah, there's also no one he wouldn't kill for her either.
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| If that had been your dad's face, you'd have always cleaned your room. |
Hank Hill, King of the Hill
Another good ole' boy Dad, Hank tried so hard to accept his strange son Bobby, even though the kid would have rather written poetry than played football. That's love, kids.
Major Character Flaw: Might have loved propane even more than his kid.
Adam Braverman, Parenthood
If you are lucky, Adam reminds you of your own Dad. He genuinely enjoys his kids, and wants to keep them safe and happy all the time. Even if, bless his heart, he's not always good at it.
Major Character Flaw: Doesn't know how to say no, except for when he should say yes.
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| Look at that Dad face. He's so disappointed in you. |
The nice thing for me is that even if you put all of these awesome dads together and created one SuperDad, he still wouldn't be as awesome as mine.
Happy Father's Day, Daddy!
thank you, daughter. tv daughters can't possibly compare. not even sydney.
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