I must admit I had a bit of a harder time composing my list of the 20 Greatest TV Dads than I did my list of TV Moms. It may be because I favor female-centric shows where the dads tend to be absentee, but it's also because a lot of dads on TV are of the "lovable doofus" variety, which is not my favorite type of character. Once you eliminate the Homer Simpsons and Al Bundys there's not a lot left to work with. So instead of a Top 25 I came up with a Top 20. And here's my standard disclaimer: this list is entirely subjective and prone to my own whims, but I always welcome suggestions and spirited debate in the form of comments!
And now on to the list!
Show: Better Off Ted
Better Off Ted was a short-lived and much beloved show, a satire of evil corporations that often veered into very zany territory. The show’s protagonist was Ted Crisp, who wavered between being a model employee and an everyday guy with a conscience. He was also a single dad, and while he sometimes made questionable decisions concerning his underlings at work, he always did right by his daughter. In a show that specialized in poking merciless fun at its often hapless characters, Ted’s love for his daughter was never anything less than genuine.
Episode to Watch: “Through Rose-Colored HAZMAT Suits”
Ted brings his daughter to work for the day- but when you work for an evil conglomerate things can wrong quickly.
19. Kevin Burke
Show: Two of a Kind
I’ve written about my surprising love of Two of a Kind before, and a big part of that is my affection for single dad Kevin Burke. A somewhat uptight college professor and widower raising his twin daughters, Kevin also clashed and flirted with free-spirited nanny Carrie. A potentially boring role was made interesting by Christopher Sieber, a respected theater actor whose performance made Kevin a likeable and admirable TV dad.
Episode to Watch: “Nightmare on Carrie’s Street”
Kevin must track down his daughters after they sneak off to a forbidden Halloween party.
18. Guy Blank
Show: Strangers With Candy
Guy’s second wife Sara made my Top TV Mom’s list; she played the wicked stepmother to his loving father. But the genius of Guy Blank is that he never spoke a word or moved a muscle—rather he was always seen frozen in place, an over-the-top expression of glee or fury plastered across his unmoving face. Guy’s immobility never phased his family, who all seemed to love and understand him. Guy was finally seen in motion during his last episode; after his death he appears during the closing credits for a final waltz with daughter Jerri, a surprisingly tender moment for an otherwise deliciously bonkers show.
Episode to Watch: “The Goodbye Guy”
Guy meets his untimely end via a pack of wild dogs—leaving Jerri alone just in time for the annual Interschool Father-Student sack race.
17. Frank Costanza
Show: Seinfeld
Frank is a nightmare of a dad: quick to anger, constantly yelling, petty and stingy to the extreme. But it’s all of these qualities that make him so much fun to watch, whether he’s hashing it out with wife Estelle or making life miserable for his son George. And with a dad like Frank, is it any wonder George turned out the way he did? Jerry Stiller played a very similar role to Frank in King of Queens, but where Frank was lovably irascible Arthur was gratingly awful, demonstrating what a fine line this type of character has to tread.
Episode to Watch: “The Strike”
Frank revives his homemade alternative to Christmas—the infamous Festivus.
16. Greg Warner
Show: Yes, Dear
Yes, Dear was one of those seemingly bland sitcoms that chugged along for many seasons, but I was always a fan of its gentle humor and likeable cast. As portrayed by sitcom veteran Anthony Clark, beleaguered dad Greg was the sensitive counterpart to his rough-around-the-edges brother-in-law. Their different parenting styles clashed, but I was always partial to Greg’s somewhat neurotic but always loving methods.
Episode to Watch: “Halloween”
Greg vows revenge after a neighbor scares his son while he’s trick-or-treating.
15. Charles Finster
Show: Rugrats
Charles Finster is yet another single dad (or at least he was until he eventually remarried, but I chose to ignore the later seasons of Rugrats). He and son Chuckie look almost identical, with their thick glasses and wild red hair. And perhaps due to Chaz’s overprotective parenting, Chuckie was something of a mess of neuroses. At the end of the day though Chaz always did right by his son, whether teaching him about the evils of germs or dressing as Santa and getting stuck in the chimney while trying to prove that Santa Claus isn’t terrifying (he failed, but I appreciate the effort).
Episode to Watch: “Mr. Clean”
With the use of sock puppets, Chaz teaches Chuckie about cleanliness—and unintentionally turns him into a germaphobe.
14. Andy Taylor
Show: The Andy Griffith Show
Andy Taylor is such an iconic dad that there’s a statue of him and son Opie depicting their fabled fishing trip, as it appears in the opening credits of The Andy Griffith Show. Andy was a widower raising young Opie alongside Aunt Bee, and despite a busy job as town sheriff he always had time for a folksy parable to solve Opie’s latest moral dilemma. Andy was also a father figure of sorts to hapless deputy Barney Fife, earning him double dad points!
Episode to Watch: “Opie the Birdman”
In this tear-jerker classic, Andy counsels Opie, first when he adopts some orphaned baby birds and then later when it’s time to set them free.
13. Rob Petrie
Show: The Dick Van Dyke Show
Rob Petrie is perhaps remembered best for taking a tumble over an ottoman (night after night after night!) but he was also a great dad. He dressed as a clown and performed at son Richie’s birthday party, but even better he always brought Richie home a present from the office—even if it was just a stick of gum, Richie was always delighted. Who wouldn’t want Dick Van Dyke as their dad?!
Episode to Watch: “What’s in a Middle Name?”
Rob must explain to his son, via flashback, why his middle name is Rosebud.
12. Professor Utonium
Show: The Powerpuff Girls
Professor Utonium is one of many single dads on my list but he’s the only one to create his super-powered daughters via science. A send-up of the white coat-clad, pipe-smoking, know-it-all scientists of retro science fiction films, the Professor makes for an unlikely but surprisingly great father. After all, he makes parenting three super-powered preschoolers look easy and still has time for science experiments!
Episode to Watch: “Mommy Fearest”
Professor Utonium falls in love with Ima Goodlady—but the girls suspect that there’s more to Ima than meets the eye.
11. Martin Crane
Show: Frasier
The character of Martin Crane was a TV retcon—when the character of Frasier was on Cheers he claimed his father was dead, but when the Frasier spin-off happened Martin was resurrected as part of the main cast. Once the character of Martin was revealed it actually made sense that Frasier had hidden him away. Martin was everything his cultured, effete sons were not: a former cop with a taste for beer and hideous furniture. It’s these very differences between father and sons that made their relationship so special, for despite their vastly different styles there was never any doubt of Martin’s love and pride in his family.
Episode to Watch: “Out With Dad”
In order to help Frasier woo a new love interest Martin pretends to be gay. Complications naturally ensue.
Tune in tomorrow for the Top 10 Greatest TV Dads!
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