Modern TV dads are no Cliff Huxtable
Robert Reed, Bill Cosby and Andy Griffith were naturals as TV dads.
They were open-minded, supportive, caring and loyal. They applied discipline, when needed.
They spent quality time with their children.
Times change, though, and TV reflects the times. Today’s typical TV dad is just as likely to be the head of a fractured family, single, gay, divorced, out of work or soon to be.
Here are five TV dads unlikely to make anyone’s list of perfect fathers:
Tywin Lannister, Game of Thrones
He’s the head of House Lannister, one of the most powerful lords in all of Westeros and the proud father of Jaime and Cersei Lannister, and not-so-proud father of Tyrion, the Imp.
Lord Tywin may seem like an odd choice for Father of the Year, but consider the evidence. He’s a provider and he taught his children to appreciate the finer things in life. He’s even willing to sacrifice his principles for the sake of the family name. Homer Simpson, The Simpsons
Homer Simpson is the father every father aspires not to be: slothful, aimless and often inattentive to his family’s emotional needs.
Homer is doing the best he can, though, with a little help from his wife Marge. He provides for his family and protects them from life’s hard knocks, even if most of those knocks are of his doing.
Walter White, Breaking Bad
Walter White isn’t going to win Father of the Year, either. He was open-minded to a point. He was supportive, and caring, in his own way. He knew how to apply discipline. He spent quality time with his cerebral palsy-afflicted son — until his drug dealership fell apart, that is, and his wife kicked him out of the house.
Louie, Louie
Louis C.K. based Louie on his own life, a newly divorced father raising two young daughters in New York City while juggling playdates, playmates and keeping his comedy career afloat.
Don Draper, Mad Men
He’s a Lothario, a louse and a bit of a lush. And yet, one of the most intriguing relationships of Mad Men is the prickly-porcupine dance between Draper and his daughter Sally. In one episode, she showed up unannounced at her father’s bachelor pad. Instead of getting rid of her as he normally would, Draper drove her back to her boarding school late at night.