AOL TV's Top 10 Most Memorable Mothers and Daughters

[JamesG]

The new CW series Life Unexpected explores the unique relationship between Lux (Brittany Robertson), a teenager raised in a succession of foster homes, and her birth mother, radio talk show host Cate Cassidy (Shiri Appleby).

It's the latest in a tradition of TV series featuring memorable mothers and daughters, a formula that has inspired both great shows (The Gilmore Girls) and disasters (Kath and Kim.)

If Life Unexpected becomes a hit, perhaps we'll have one more duo to add to this list of TV's most memorable moms and the girls they love.



1. Lorelei Gilmore and Rory on "Gilmore Girls"
Played By: Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel

They looked more like gorgeous sisters, and shared the same bemused outlook on their eccentric hometown of Stars Hollow. The bond shared by motormouth Lorelei and brainiac Rory set the standard for smart, loving mothers and daughters on TV.

As an added bonus, the "Gilmore Girls" also served up a dysfunctional variation on the same theme, as Lorelei struggled to find common ground with her own conservative, upper-class parents.





2. Ida Morgenstern and Rhoda on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and "Rhoda"
Played By: Nancy Walker and Valerie Harper

Look up 'Jewish mother' in the dictionary, and there should be a picture of Nancy Walker as Ida Morgenstern.

On both "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and "Rhoda", Walker personified the stereotype of an overbearing, doting but loving parent that drove her daughter crazy by reminding her, at every possible opportunity, that she was still single.





3. Donna Stone and Mary on "The Donna Reed Show"
Played By: Donna Reed and Shelley Fabares

Donna Reed defined motherhood on TV the way Perry Mason defined the legal profession.

As practically perfect as Mary Poppins, Donna gently guided her boy-crazy teenage daughter Mary through the perils of adolescence, setting an example of grace and kindness that any young woman would be wise to follow.





4. Joyce Summers and Buffy on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer"
Played By: Kristine Sutherland and Sarah Michelle Gellar

When your daughter spends her evenings killing vampires (or sleeping with them), that's a lot for a mother to handle.

But once Joyce Summers discovered her daughter was the Slayer, she coped as well as possible with the demons and witches and bloodsuckers that invaded her home.

When she died, Buffy was faced with a hardship even her supernatural powers could not overcome.





5. Edina Monsoon and Saffron on "Absolutely Fabulous"
Played By: Jennifer Saunders and Julia Sawalha

Okay, Edina once did try to sell her daughter into slavery in Morocco, but that doesn't mean she doesn't love her on some level.

What other mother would express her concern over her daughter's struggling social life by observing, "I'm sorry, darling, but I don't want a little mustached virgin for a daughter, so do something about it!"





6. Samantha Stevens and Tabitha on "Bewitched"
Played By: Elizabeth Montgomery and Erin Murphy

Poor Darrin thought he had his hands full with one witch in the family, until his daughter started causing havoc with a few nose-twitches as well.

As often as Samantha tried to get little Tabitha to observe the 'no witchcraft' rule at home, she also couldn't conceal her pride over her little girl carrying on the family legacy.





7. Erica Kane and Kendall on "All My Children"
Played By: Susan Lucci and Sarah Michelle Gellar

On the soaps, no relationship is immune to a large combo platter of troubles, but Kendall, played by a pre-Buffy Sarah Michelle Gellar, demonstrated a virtuoso talent for putting her mother through hell.

Whether it was locking her little sister in a crypt, trying to seduce her stepfather, or trading punches with Erica at her grandmother's funeral, Kendall was a passionate, indomitable force of nature -- just like her mother.





8. Lucy Carter and Kim on "Here's Lucy"
Played By: Lucille Ball and Lucie Arnaz

Kim Carter could be as embarrassed by her mother as any teenager, especially given the fantastic situations that any character played by Lucille Ball would create.

But most of the time, she became a co-conspirator in her antics, from filming a TV commercial as a singing pickle to dancing in their living room with the legendary Ginger Rogers.





9. Roseanne Connor and Darlene on "Roseanne"
Played By: Roseanne Barr and Sara Gilbert

Falling somewhere between the idyllic existence on "The Donna Reed Show" and the insanity of "Absolutely Fabulous", the abrasive but affectionate rapport between Roseanne and Darlene on "Roseanne" had an authenticity rarely approached on most situation comedies.





10. Kate Lawrence and Buddy on "Family"
Played By: Sada Thompson and Kristy McNichol

Even with the release of its first season on DVD, "Family" has not had the lingering pop culture impact of the other shows on this list.

But in its 1970s heyday the series was a revelation in its depiction of an American family, and as Buddy, Emmy-winner Kristy McNichol was as popular with TV fans as all of "Charlie's Angels" put together.

http://insidetv.aol.com/2010/01/29/t...and-daughters/

[spunkygirl]

What No Fran and Sylvia Fine? I LOVE the relationship these two have

7. Erica Kane and Kendall on "All My Children"
Played By: Susan Lucci and Sarah Michelle Gellar

On the soaps, no relationship is immune to a large combo platter of troubles, but Kendall, played by a pre-Buffy Sarah Michelle Gellar, demonstrated a virtuoso talent for putting her mother through hell.

Whether it was locking her little sister in a crypt, trying to seduce her stepfather, or trading punches with Erica at her grandmother's funeral, Kendall was a passionate, indomitable force of nature -- just like her mother.

Eh Kendall and Erica are much better with AM in the role of Kendall. AM actually looks like she could be SL's daughter in real life.

[dakert]

But in its 1970s heyday the series was a revelation in its depiction of an American family, and as Buddy, Emmy-winner Kristy McNichol was as popular with TV fans as all of "Charlie's Angels" put together.

Kristy was good but hahahaha

[Marvo301]

It's nice to see Lucy and Kim Carter on the list. As far as I know they are the only TV mother and daughter to played by a real life mother and daughter. (Lucille Ball and Lucie Arnaz)

[Retro4Life]

What, no Marge and Lisa Simpson?

No Edith and Gloria Stivic-Bunker?

No Karen and Olivia Fairgate?

No Ann Romano and either Julie or Barb Cooper?

[Marvo301]

Originally Posted by Retro4Life

What, no Marge and Lisa Simpson?

No Edith and Gloria Stivic-Bunker?

No Karen and Olivia Fairgate?

No Ann Romano and either Julie or Barb Cooper?

This obviously wasn't an exhaustive list. I can think of others that were left off:

Shirley and Laurie Partridge

Carol Brady and any of her three daughters

Olivia and Mary-Ellen Walton

Elise and Mallory Keaton

Maggie and Carol Seaver

Reba and Kyra Hart

[Retro4Life]

Originally Posted by Marvo301

This obviously wasn't an exhaustive list. I can think of others that were left off:

Shirley and Laurie Partridge

Carol Brady and any of her three daughters

Olivia and Mary-Ellen Walton

Elise and Mallory Keaton

Maggie and Carol Seaver

Reba and Kyra Hart

Yes, I guess that "memorable" doesn't even necessarily mean "positive". If we consider that, we might as well add the incredibly dysfunctional relationship between Meg Griffin and her mother, Lois!

[catlover79]

No Dorothy and Sophia (Golden Girls)?

No Florida and Thelma (Good Times)?

No Maude and Carol (Maude)?

I would've put Endora and Samantha instead of Samantha and Tabitha, but at least Bewitched got a shout-out.

[Heidi Dawn]

Not to mention no Marion & Joanie (Happy Days).

[MickeyMac]

No Natilie and Patty Lane either

[JamesG]

Originally Posted by Marvo301

It's nice to see Lucy and Kim Carter on the list. As far as I know they are the only TV mother and daughter to played by a real life mother and daughter. (Lucille Ball and Lucie Arnaz)

Nope. Vanessa Redgrave and Joely Richardson were mother and daughter on "Nip/Tuck".

I don't know if there are more...

[OOliver]

"No Karen and Olivia Fairgate?"

No, because Karen was Olivia's aunt, while Abby was Olivia's mother. Karen was originally married to Syd, who was Abby's brother.

However - no Lilimae and Valene from KNOTS LANDING?

No Endora/Samantha from BEWITCHED?

[andress_jade]

I can't believe that Elizabeth Quinn and Dr. Michaela Quinn of Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman wasn't mentioned. Played beautiful by Georgeann Johnson and Jane Seymour. I mean, they played off each other so well, and were so believeable as mother and daughter. They had real onscreen chemistry. I loved them together.
Another mother/daughter duo I should mention is Dr. Michaela Quinn and her adopted daughter Colleen Cooper played by Erika Flores. I liked Jessica Bowman, but the chemistry that Jane and Erika shared was awesome. They were more believeable as mother and daughter than with Jessica. The way Erika portrayed Colleen was nothing short of amazing and Jane was like a real mother to her. I just loved their relationship.