Top 10 TV Dads

These are the men who raised us from the comfort of the boob tube. Welcome to Kiker's Blog, and today I'm counting down my top 10 TV dads of all time. For this list, I'm looking at dads that were a pleasure to watch, and that were good to their respective TV families. I'm omitting cartoon dads because that's a list for another day. If you're looking for the best TV grandpas, check out my list for the top 10 TV grandpas. Special thanks to my good friend Koby Earle for suggesting this list.

10. Archie Bunker-All in the Family
Archie was one of history's top TV characters. Thanks to his opinionated and ignorant mindset, racial stereotypes, and cigar smoking. As a dad, Archie was tough when it counted. You'd be annoyed too if your liberal daughter and son-in-law disagreed with you that often. Ultimately, Archie was a softie, and and he kept a special place in his heart for the people who mattered.

9. Fred G. Sanford-Sanford and Son
We loves Archie for his flaws, and it was the same for Fred Sanford. This old fool lived with his aging big dummy of a son after his wife Elizabeth passed away. Lamonte stuck around to make sure his drunken dad didn't get into too much trouble with one of his get rich quick schemes. Fred might have been a sarcastic, hot-tempered old man, but him and his son shared a close connection.

8. Dr. Jason Seaver-Growing Pains
Taking cues from The Cosby Show, psychiatrist Dr. Jason Seaver set up shop at home so he could do his fair share of the child-rearing while Maggie worked as a journalist. He spent time with the kids, each of whom was a handful in their own way, and guided them all in their intrapersonal problems while cleverly dodging chores.

7. Dr. Heathcliff Huxtable-The Cosby Show
This groundbreaking sitcom introduced a black family that was both affluent and functional. Dr. Heathcliff Huxtable was the head of this traditional family, and the show revolved around Cosby's sense of humor. Fortunately for the Huxtable family, Heathcliff's pediatric practice was at home, so he had plenty of time to advise, and lecture his kids. Kudos to the Cosby sweaters.

6. Al Bundy-Married...with Children
Al represented every father who's dreams were dashed when he had a family. Also, every father who sits on the couch with his hand in his pants. He was chained to a money hungry wife who refused to cook and clean, and their two hormone driven kids. Yes he hated life, but the Bundy family was a surprisingly tight-knit bunch.

5. Frank Reynolds-It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Frank is the estranged father of Dennis and Dee Reynolds. He showed up unexpectedly to spend more time with his grown up kids, and because he gave up on the multi-million dollar company he started. Although Dennis and Dee still hate the fact that he wasn't there for most of their lives, Mac and Charlie see him as a father figure because their dads aren't around. Whenever he's not running the bar, dropping acid, banging whores, or stirring up some kind of commotion with the gang, Frank never forgets he's the most important living figure in Dennis' and Dee's lives.

4. Tim Taylor-Home Improvement
Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor had his own handyman show, signature sound, sidekick, hidden neighbor, loving wife, and three boys. While he made a lot of mistakes, and I mean a lot of mistakes, he was always able to learn from them with a little help. For every hot rod he build, or injury he sustained, Tim learned a valuable life lesson that he passed on to his kids.

3. Sheriff Andy Taylor-The Andy Griffith Show
He is widowed, and is the father to one young son, Opie. Andy was depicted as a country-smart sheriff and a caring, nurturing father. His laid-back approach to law enforcement made him an ideal sheriff for a sleepy North Carolina town. Mayberry saw little crime, with the exception of moonshining. As a single father, Andy spent time fishing with his son, and also spends evenings with him strumming the guitar.

2. Red Forman-That 70's Show
Most dads put on their tough guy act, but not this tough-as-nails war veteran. Sure he loved his wife Kitty, and treated his daughter like a princess, but Eric never got any of the affection. Instead, he got the constant threat of foot up his ass. Red had a short fuse, was insensitive, strict, and pretty much hated everyone, especially his neighbor Bob.

Here are a few Honorable Mentions:

Hal-Malcolm in the Middle

Raymond "Ray" Barone-Everybody Loves Raymond

George Lopez-George Lopez

Phil Dunphy-Modern Family

1. Frank Costanza-Seinfeld
George's father wore his emotions on his sleeves, and used shouting as his preferred method of communication. This former Army cook was fluent in Korean, and was vocal about removing his shoes in other people's homes. Frank was quite the inventor with the "manzire" credited to him, he also had a unique way of lowering his blood pressure. I'm still not convinced that works. SERENITY NOW!

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