While no dad on television is as good as your own dad, some tv dads can be pretty great. I see aspects of my own dad in many dads on current tv; whether it be the humor, the wisdom, or just the love that these tv dads are conveying, writers these days are really capturing the essence of fatherhood. With that being said, I think we can all be thankful that we don’t have the threat of Red Forman’s foot up our ass, or a dad with a secret double life selling meth in order to send us to college.
Watch some tv with your dad this Father’s Day and thank him for having the good qualities these tv dads possess, and for lacking the idiosyncrasies these dads may also have. Here’s a list of the top 10 dads on tv.
1. Phil Dunphy
What’s not to love about Phil Dunphy? He’s a full of puns and he attempts to keep up with pop culture like a “cool dad”. He proves himself a great husband, and best of all, he’s a loving father who would do anything for his family.
2. Homer Simpson
He may not have his life perfectly together, but he’s been a great dad to his three children for 27 seasons. He’s overweight, a drunk, and an imbecile– but he always encourages his children to be themselves and not care what others think, just as he does.
3. Louie CK
A divorced single dad, playing a version of himself in his show Louie, he raises his two girls with love and teaches them to respect themselves, and he does it all with humor and sincerity.
4. Michael Bluth
Throwing it back to the classic Arrested Development, a show all about family and dysfunctionality, Michael Bluth is the only one trying to hold the family together. Just take this interaction with Michael and his son for example:
Michael: What have we always said is the most important thing?
George Michael: Breakfast
Michael: Family
George Michael: Oh, right. Family. I thought you meant of the things you eat.
5. Red Forman
Okay, maybe he’s the best worst dad. Yeah, he’s pretty hard on Eric, but he also teaches him many life lessons (mostly about not whining). And we have to give him some credit for letting a bunch of high schoolers hangout in his basement everyday. Oh, and didn’t he basically adopt Hide? That’s pretty cool.
6 & 7. Cameron Tucker and Mitchell Pritchett
Gotta come back to Modern Family because it’s just that good. Cameron and Mitchell compliment each other perfectly as husbands and as fathers. Over the past few seasons, they have raised a beautiful, smart, and most importantly…sassy, little girl. Lily is lucky to have two dads who want to give her the world.
8. Rick Grimes
Want to know how to be a good father in a zombie apocalypse? Just follow Rick’s lead. He’d do anything to protect his two kids, which is not an easy task, considering the circumstances.
9. Hank Hill
Although he often says “That boy ain’t right” it’s clear that he loves his son more than anything. Maybe he could do it with more love and patience, but Hank teaches Bobby the importance of hard work, loyalty….and propane and propane accessories.
10. Walter White
Because who else would cook and sell meth for their family?
