Whatever Happened to Ward Cleaver? Are The Days Of The Ideal TV Dad Dead? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 06-20-2011, 10:58 PM

Will there ever be another show with a Ward Type Dad or are those days completely over???

Marvo301 · 06-20-2011, 11:12 PM

I think TV runs in cycles and the days of the ideal TV Dad will be back some day. I just hope it's in my lifetime!!

MickeyMac · 06-21-2011, 08:12 PM

My guess is no we wont see that kind of father quite like that again. Times had changed since then, and TV certainly has (and not for the better).

Retro4Life · 06-21-2011, 09:05 PM

I'm also less optimistic that Marvo301. I think, unfortunately, that kind of father is long gone from our television screens, and what's worse, he's rapidly disappearing from our homes.

dlemond · 06-21-2011, 09:54 PM

In a sitcom like Leave it To Beaver, Dad is basically a supporting character.
This show is centered on the kids, so it's easier to have an idealized dad,

Whenever Dad (or Mom) is the main character he is more flawed, not necessarily to the extent of today's sitcoms, but it's the main characters personalities from where the humor is derived.

If Beaver and Wally were secondary in this show there is no way Ward would have as perfectly even keeled all the time. Where would the stories have been derived?

Think of sitcoms with good, strong parents- The Brady Bunch and Family Ties for instance.They both would have had the parents in the forefront only to then have given to be almost entirely centered on the kids.

MickeyMac · 06-22-2011, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retro4Life

I'm also less optimistic that Marvo301. I think, unfortunately, that kind of father is long gone from our television screens, and what's worse, he's rapidly disappearing from our homes.

I have to agree with you.

Hughsgirl · 06-22-2011, 10:40 PM

Not in this lifetime. The morals have died right along with Ward Cleaver. We won't see TV dads like him again simply because this generation of men don't have the time, desire or the smarts to be the "Ward Cleaver" type of dad so the writers wouldn't have the 1st clue of how to create one. It's sad and really we have seen the proof time and time again. This is why showing these classic shows are so important....at least IMO and the only way to hold onto Ward and all the other ideal fathers.

ponytail · 06-23-2011, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hughsgirl

Not in this lifetime. The morals have died right along with Ward Cleaver. We won't see TV dads like him again simply because this generation of men don't have the time, desire or the smarts to be the "Ward Cleaver" type of dad so the writers wouldn't have the 1st clue of how to create one. It's sad and really we have seen the proof time and time again. This is why showing these classic shows are so important....at least IMO and the only way to hold onto Ward and all the other ideal fathers.

I totally agree!

Waterston_Fan · 06-23-2011, 07:19 AM

I agree. The same goes for Howard Cunningham too.

Hoagie78 · 06-23-2011, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hughsgirl

Not in this lifetime. The morals have died right along with Ward Cleaver. We won't see TV dads like him again simply because this generation of men don't have the time, desire or the smarts to be the "Ward Cleaver" type of dad so the writers wouldn't have the 1st clue of how to create one. It's sad and really we have seen the proof time and time again. This is why showing these classic shows are so important....at least IMO and the only way to hold onto Ward and all the other ideal fathers.

I agree. Those days are dead and gone. Todays sitcom Dad's are written as morons, the mother is a complete "B" and the kids think they know everything and run their smart mouths. I wish it was 1961 instead 2011.

Hughsgirl · 06-24-2011, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoagie78

I agree. Those days are dead and gone. Todays sitcom Dad's are written as morons, the mother is a complete "B" and the kids think they know everything and run their smart mouths. I wish it was 1961 instead 2011.

Welcome back Hoagie! I'm glad I have someone to post with.

Hoagie78 · 06-24-2011, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hughsgirl

Welcome back Hoagie! I'm glad I have someone to post with.

Thanks Hughs Girl.

06-20-2011, 10:58 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	Whatever Happened to Ward Cleaver? Are The Days Of The Ideal TV Dad Dead? Will there ever be another show with a Ward Type Dad or are those days completely over???
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06-20-2011, 11:12 PM	#2
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,456	I think TV runs in cycles and the days of the ideal TV Dad will be back some day. I just hope it's in my lifetime!!
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06-21-2011, 09:05 PM	#4
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	I'm also less optimistic that Marvo301. I think, unfortunately, that kind of father is long gone from our television screens, and what's worse, he's rapidly disappearing from our homes.
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06-21-2011, 09:54 PM	#5
dlemond Hey, I know you. Moderator Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 03, 2001 Location: New Jersey Posts: 6,751	In a sitcom like Leave it To Beaver, Dad is basically a supporting character. This show is centered on the kids, so it's easier to have an idealized dad, Whenever Dad (or Mom) is the main character he is more flawed, not necessarily to the extent of today's sitcoms, but it's the main characters personalities from where the humor is derived. If Beaver and Wally were secondary in this show there is no way Ward would have as perfectly even keeled all the time. Where would the stories have been derived? Think of sitcoms with good, strong parents- The Brady Bunch and Family Ties for instance.They both would have had the parents in the forefront only to then have given to be almost entirely centered on the kids.
	__________________ Michael

06-21-2011, 08:12 PM	#3
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,006	My guess is no we wont see that kind of father quite like that again. Times had changed since then, and TV certainly has (and not for the better).

06-22-2011, 10:40 PM	#7
Hughsgirl Member Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 22, 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 804	Not in this lifetime. The morals have died right along with Ward Cleaver. We won't see TV dads like him again simply because this generation of men don't have the time, desire or the smarts to be the "Ward Cleaver" type of dad so the writers wouldn't have the 1st clue of how to create one. It's sad and really we have seen the proof time and time again. This is why showing these classic shows are so important....at least IMO and the only way to hold onto Ward and all the other ideal fathers.

06-23-2011, 07:19 AM	#9
Waterston_Fan Eternal Member Eternal Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 26, 2005 Location: Southern California Posts: 3,195	I agree. The same goes for Howard Cunningham too.