Was Jack Arnold Of 'The Wonder Years' An Underrated Dad? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 05-14-2011, 05:42 PM

Mr. Arnold was the epitome of the 1960s strong, silent type, the guys who always knew what was best for his kids, especially when they didn't. He put up with Kevin's whining and showed him how to be a man. "Butthead" really needed it.

mets82 · 05-14-2011, 07:39 PM

I disagree. Jack Arnold was very moody all the time. He would come home huffing and puffing and when he would get mad he would take it out on his kids by having them do chores.
To say Kevin was whiny would be an understatement. If Kevin was whiny it was because his father was acting like an ass or his brother was bothering him to no end.

James · 11-14-2011, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

"Butthead" really needed it.

I assume you're talking about Wayne here--right, Brian?

Corkys-Place · 04-06-2013, 02:15 AM

I think I wanted to stick my hands through the TV set and strangle Jack Arnold during that Episode when they wanted to get a new Car. His whinging and yelling throughout that Episode was so annoying. All over an old bomb of a Car.

catlover79 · 04-06-2013, 02:23 AM

From what I can gather from people who lived during the time period TWY was set, Jack was like most of the dads back then. He was real. Plus, I've always loved Dan Lauria and he still shows up in various TV guest spots all the time.

Neutronman67 · 04-07-2013, 03:27 PM

Yeah we the viewers never go to see jack arnold on the wonder years only various we lways saw him in a bad mood, the producers could have made his character more happy and chipper if they wanted.

Tweety · 04-14-2013, 04:10 PM

I thought Jack Arnold was a decent portrayal of typical middle class dads during that period. Yeah, he was "cheap" and always complaining about how much things cost but, in his defense he was, for the most part, the sole bread winner in the family. He'd often take some of his work frustrations out on the boys, but they were old enough to do some work around the house. Like a lot of Dads of that generation, he knew how to do a lot of things, and was a good do-it-yourself kind of guy.

He was probably grouchier a little more than the typical father in those days... but I always looked at the show as not being an exact portrayal of everything that happened back then, but rather, a portrayal of how Kevin remembered everything that happened. His Dad, like everyone else, no doubt had good days and bad days, and his "softer" side would occasionally show itself... He did keep a lot of stuff bottled up inside, which probably contributed to a premature death.

catlover79 · 04-14-2013, 05:15 PM

^ Yeah, that's the point I was trying to make, but you said it better.

mets82 · 04-14-2013, 10:05 PM

I could understand why Jack was complaining about how much things. Hell, people do that today and rightfully so. I dont agree with Jack on that. The part that bugged me was he seemed to take his anger and frustrations at work or whatever out on Norma and the kids. Thats what angers me. I would understand if Norma cheated on Jack and the kids were brats but Norma was a housewife and at least Kevin was a good kid. If anything, Wayne deserved to get yelled at, hell he deserved to live somewhere else and Karen, well, she always beat to a different drummer.

Neutronman67 · 04-15-2013, 08:58 AM

The only thing that got on jack arnolds nerves was his annoying jerk of a son aka wayne arnold he was a butthead lol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3Xbp8OFyR8

James · 04-15-2013, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corkys-Place

I think I wanted to stick my hands through the TV set and strangle Jack Arnold during that Episode when they wanted to get a new Car. His whinging and yelling throughout that Episode was so annoying. All over an old bomb of a Car.

That was nothing compared to how he made Kevin and Wayne go shopping with him and do chores (even making Kevin nix a date with Winnie) over some things that Karen was doing. It was where Wayne was in the store suggesting to buy Karen bug spray. I thought Jack made a mistake taking it out on the boys.

Neutronman67 · 04-16-2013, 08:44 AM

Jack new karen was heading off to college he did not want to do his shopping alone so he forced wayne and kevin against their will to go with him for the most boring day of their lives in the episode daddys little girl

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cgg4Rgg6P3c

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEkoyNA8ZGM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMvE0v3A_o0

James · 04-23-2013, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neutronman67

Jack new karen was heading off to college he did not want to do his shopping alone so he forced wayne and kevin against their will to go with him for the most boring day of their lives in the episode daddys little girl

He could have had Norma go with him. Just sayin'.

05-14-2011, 05:42 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Was Jack Arnold Of 'The Wonder Years' An Underrated Dad? Mr. Arnold was the epitome of the 1960s strong, silent type, the guys who always knew what was best for his kids, especially when they didn't. He put up with Kevin's whining and showed him how to be a man. "Butthead" really needed it.
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

04-06-2013, 02:23 AM	#5
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	From what I can gather from people who lived during the time period TWY was set, Jack was like most of the dads back then. He was real. Plus, I've always loved Dan Lauria and he still shows up in various TV guest spots all the time.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

04-14-2013, 04:10 PM	#7
Tweety Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 18, 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 6,804	I thought Jack Arnold was a decent portrayal of typical middle class dads during that period. Yeah, he was "cheap" and always complaining about how much things cost but, in his defense he was, for the most part, the sole bread winner in the family. He'd often take some of his work frustrations out on the boys, but they were old enough to do some work around the house. Like a lot of Dads of that generation, he knew how to do a lot of things, and was a good do-it-yourself kind of guy. He was probably grouchier a little more than the typical father in those days... but I always looked at the show as not being an exact portrayal of everything that happened back then, but rather, a portrayal of how Kevin remembered everything that happened. His Dad, like everyone else, no doubt had good days and bad days, and his "softer" side would occasionally show itself... He did keep a lot of stuff bottled up inside, which probably contributed to a premature death.
	__________________ Straight, and VERY proud of it. No, that's OK, I don't need a parade.

05-14-2011, 07:39 PM	#2
mets82 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Mar 14, 2011 Location: Connecticut Posts: 5,058	I disagree. Jack Arnold was very moody all the time. He would come home huffing and puffing and when he would get mad he would take it out on his kids by having them do chores. To say Kevin was whiny would be an understatement. If Kevin was whiny it was because his father was acting like an ass or his brother was bothering him to no end.

04-06-2013, 02:15 AM	#4
Corkys-Place Unsolved Mysteries Fan Forum Regular Join Date: Feb 23, 2010 Posts: 790	I think I wanted to stick my hands through the TV set and strangle Jack Arnold during that Episode when they wanted to get a new Car. His whinging and yelling throughout that Episode was so annoying. All over an old bomb of a Car.

04-07-2013, 03:27 PM	#6
Neutronman67 Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 23, 2013 Location: Sarasota Posts: 2,538	Yeah we the viewers never go to see jack arnold on the wonder years only various we lways saw him in a bad mood, the producers could have made his character more happy and chipper if they wanted.

04-14-2013, 05:15 PM	#8
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	^ Yeah, that's the point I was trying to make, but you said it better.

04-14-2013, 10:05 PM	#9
mets82 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Mar 14, 2011 Location: Connecticut Posts: 5,058	I could understand why Jack was complaining about how much things. Hell, people do that today and rightfully so. I dont agree with Jack on that. The part that bugged me was he seemed to take his anger and frustrations at work or whatever out on Norma and the kids. Thats what angers me. I would understand if Norma cheated on Jack and the kids were brats but Norma was a housewife and at least Kevin was a good kid. If anything, Wayne deserved to get yelled at, hell he deserved to live somewhere else and Karen, well, she always beat to a different drummer.

04-15-2013, 08:58 AM	#10
Neutronman67 Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 23, 2013 Location: Sarasota Posts: 2,538	The only thing that got on jack arnolds nerves was his annoying jerk of a son aka wayne arnold he was a butthead lol http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3Xbp8OFyR8

04-16-2013, 08:44 AM	#12
Neutronman67 Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 23, 2013 Location: Sarasota Posts: 2,538	Jack new karen was heading off to college he did not want to do his shopping alone so he forced wayne and kevin against their will to go with him for the most boring day of their lives in the episode daddys little girl https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cgg4Rgg6P3c https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEkoyNA8ZGM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMvE0v3A_o0