Best and Worst TV Parents - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

704Hauser · 02-07-2013, 06:55 AM

In your opinion, who do you think are the best and worst TV parents?

Here's my picks:

Best
Cliff & Clair Huxtable
Jason & Maggie Seaver
Steve & Elyse Keaton
Edith Bunker

Worst
Alf Garnett
Fred Sanford (extremely funny, but I wouldn't want him as a dad, especially the way he calls Lamont a dummy)
Peggy Bundy
Al Bundy (at least he tries to make a living)
Albert Steptoe

A Bit of Both
Archie Bunker (has some very shocking views on certain groups of people, but loves his family, even the Meathead)

McGillicuddy · 02-07-2013, 10:43 AM

Worst

Lucy & Ricky Ricardo

Best

Ward & June Cleaver

704Hauser · 02-07-2013, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McGillicuddy

Worst

Lucy & Ricky Ricardo

Best

Ward & June Cleaver

I still need to watch I Love Lucy and Leave It To Beaver, but I figured that the Cleavers were good parents. How bad would you say the Ricardos were though?

McGillicuddy · 02-07-2013, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 704Hauser

I still need to watch I Love Lucy and Leave It To Beaver, but I figured that the Cleavers were good parents. How bad would you say the Ricardos were though?

I should have explained. After Lucy had her baby, her life just went back to normal. Lucy would get into all kinds of adventures and mis-haps. In the middle of all the goings-on, one might ask the question, where is Little Ricky?? Most of the time he was taking a nap, or in bed for the night; sometimes Mrs. Trumble was watching him; sometimes Mrs. McGuillicudy was caring for him (especially the California episodes), and sometimes, his existance wasn't even mentioned.

I'm sure it wasn't meant for Lucy (& Ricky Ricardo) to be portrayed as bad parents, but when Lucy spent the night in the Mertz's hotel suite, because a bucket of cement was hardened on her foot, wouldn't you think at some point, a mother would want to check in on her child instead of continuing to scheme how she's going to get John Wayne's footprints?

Once in a while, Little Ricky would be brought in, and everybody would make a fuss over him, then somebody (Ethel, or Mrs. M) would put him back down to sleep. About the only episode (while L Ricky was still a baby) that showed Lucy's love and devotion to her son, was when they were in Europe, and Lucy was missing LR's birthday, and the whole episode was about getting through on the phone to NY.

Again, I don't think it was meant for the Ricardos to look like bad parents, but it sure seems like much of the time they (especially Lucy) were neglective of their son.

Ronny G · 02-07-2013, 05:06 PM

BEST: Kate Bradley from Petticoat Junction. She seemed to have her daughters in check, and gave them good advice, too! Her daughters seemed to respect her and they did what she told them. Lots of scenes of them doing chores. like washing the dishes or changing the bed sheets.

WORST: The Mitchells, parents of Dennis the Menace. I'm not saying they didn't love him, but that kid terrorized the neighborhood. He didn't listen to his parents or follow their rules. He was often seen sneaking out of the house, sometimes late at night! I don't think he was ever properly punished.

icecream · 02-07-2013, 05:21 PM

Best Parents
Andy Taylor
Eric and Annie Camden
Phil Drummond
Cliff and Claire Huxtable
Howard and Marion Cunningham
John and Olivia Walton
Ward and June Cleaver

Worst Parents
the parents on Still Standing and Raising Hope

comedyfreak · 02-08-2013, 09:37 AM

Here's my picks:

Best
Jim & Margaret Anderson-Father Knows Best
Ward & June Cleaver
Herman & Lilly Munster
Mike & Carol Brady

Worst:
Dan & Roseanne Conner
Al & Peg Bundy

A Bit of Both
Archie Bunker (has some very shocking views on certain groups of people, but loves his family, even the Meathead)
Fred Sanford he really loves his son and can't let go.

Best Single Parent:
Tom Corbett -The Courtship Of Eddie's Father
Alice Hyatt - Alice
Julia Baker - Julia '68-'71

CommonTater · 02-08-2013, 05:34 PM

Best Parents
Elyse and Steven Keaton
Howard and Marion Cunningham
The Walton's
The Cleaver's
The Camden's
The Huxtable's
Andy Taylor and Aunt Bee (since they were both raising Opie)
The Anderson's from Father knows best
Ma and Pa, Little House on the Prairie
Lucas McCain, the Rifleman
Ben Cartwright
Steve Douglas, Uncle Charlie and Bub

Worst Parents
Roseanne
Al and Peg Bundy
Dr Beverly Hofstadter from The Big Bang Theory, she is COLD
Alan from Two and a Half Men but he loves Jake
Lois from Malcolm in the Middle
Frank and Marie Barone
Evelyn Harper from Two and a Half Men
Arthur Spooner but he has a few good moments
Tony Soprano, The Sopranos
Archie Bunker but he loves his family
Frank Costanza

McGillicuddy · 02-08-2013, 06:46 PM

I agree with Comedyfreak, that Herman & Lily Munster fall under the "best" category. They always had Eddie's (and also Marilyn's) interests at heart. However, I think Gomez & Morticia Addams fall among the "worst", They rarely took an interest in their kids, and just let them do whatever they wanted! And they just had Grandmama or Lurch look after them much of the time!

MikeLutton · 02-08-2013, 07:50 PM

George Louies Jefferson.best parents try give Lionel the best of everything a Job money

Retro4Life · 02-08-2013, 07:58 PM

Best:

Mike and Carol Brady
Archie and Edith Bunker
James and Florida Evans
Hank and Peggy Hill
Doug and Kate Lawrence
Sid and Karen Fairgate

Worst

Paul and Ruth Galveston (father and mother to Greg Sumner)
Peter and Lois Griffin
The parents from "The War at Home" (can't even recall their names)
The Petrelli parents from "Heroes"
Peg and Al Bundy

Tubehead · 02-09-2013, 10:57 AM

Best Parents

beest
Elyse and Steven Keaton
Howard and Marion Cunningham
carl and harriet wlislow
tim and jilll talroy homeinmporvment
the waltons
gereo and wizzer on the jerffersons

not Parents
anut bee and and andyy
my two dads don't know their names
fred snford
Julia Baker - Julia '68-'71
Tom Corbett -The Courtship Of Eddie's Father

worst parnests
the parnests form alf
the pranets from all in the faimily
parntests from

dougiezerts · 02-09-2013, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ronny G

BEST: Kate Bradley from Petticoat Junction. She seemed to have her daughters in check, and gave them good advice, too! Her daughters seemed to respect her and they did what she told them. Lots of scenes of them doing chores. like washing the dishes or changing the bed sheets.

WORST: The Mitchells, parents of Dennis the Menace. I'm not saying they didn't love him, but that kid terrorized the neighborhood. He didn't listen to his parents or follow their rules. He was often seen sneaking out of the house, sometimes late at night! I don't think he was ever properly punished.

Yeah, they should've given him a good spanking!

tvfan25 · 02-09-2013, 07:09 PM

BEST

Rob & Laura (Dick Van Dyke Show)
Harry Weston (Empty Nest)
Reba Hart (Reba)
Ella Payne (House of Payne)
Willie & Kate Tanner (ALF)
Jed Clampett (Beverly Hillbillies)
Alan & Amy Matthews (Boy Meets World)
Phillip & Vivian Banks (Fresh Prince of Bel Air)
Danny Tanner (Full House)

WORST

Jack & Jenny Malloy (Unhappily Ever After)
Curtis Payne (House of Payne)
Benny Lopez (George Lopez Show)
Red & Kitty Forman (That 70's Show)
Pops (The Wayans Bros.)

McGillicuddy · 02-09-2013, 10:12 PM

Worst of all parent:

HOMER SIMPSON!!

I suppose Marge is:

A Bit of Both!

02-07-2013, 06:55 AM	#1
704Hauser Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 08, 2011 Location: Australia Posts: 366	Best and Worst TV Parents In your opinion, who do you think are the best and worst TV parents? Here's my picks: Best Cliff & Clair Huxtable Jason & Maggie Seaver Steve & Elyse Keaton Edith Bunker Worst Alf Garnett Fred Sanford (extremely funny, but I wouldn't want him as a dad, especially the way he calls Lamont a dummy) Peggy Bundy Al Bundy (at least he tries to make a living) Albert Steptoe A Bit of Both Archie Bunker (has some very shocking views on certain groups of people, but loves his family, even the Meathead)
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02-07-2013, 05:21 PM	#6
icecream Cat-tastic and Whiskerlicious Forum Celebrity Join Date: Sep 01, 2006 Location: The Catacombs Posts: 20,904	Best Parents Andy Taylor Eric and Annie Camden Phil Drummond Cliff and Claire Huxtable Howard and Marion Cunningham John and Olivia Walton Ward and June Cleaver Worst Parents the parents on Still Standing and Raising Hope
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02-08-2013, 09:37 AM	#7
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,061	Here's my picks: Best Jim & Margaret Anderson-Father Knows Best Ward & June Cleaver Herman & Lilly Munster Mike & Carol Brady Worst: Dan & Roseanne Conner Al & Peg Bundy A Bit of Both Archie Bunker (has some very shocking views on certain groups of people, but loves his family, even the Meathead) Fred Sanford he really loves his son and can't let go. Best Single Parent: Tom Corbett -The Courtship Of Eddie's Father Alice Hyatt - Alice Julia Baker - Julia '68-'71
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02-08-2013, 05:34 PM	#8
CommonTater no longer a forum member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 09, 2010 Posts: 298	Best Parents Elyse and Steven Keaton Howard and Marion Cunningham The Walton's The Cleaver's The Camden's The Huxtable's Andy Taylor and Aunt Bee (since they were both raising Opie) The Anderson's from Father knows best Ma and Pa, Little House on the Prairie Lucas McCain, the Rifleman Ben Cartwright Steve Douglas, Uncle Charlie and Bub Worst Parents Roseanne Al and Peg Bundy Dr Beverly Hofstadter from The Big Bang Theory, she is COLD Alan from Two and a Half Men but he loves Jake Lois from Malcolm in the Middle Frank and Marie Barone Evelyn Harper from Two and a Half Men Arthur Spooner but he has a few good moments Tony Soprano, The Sopranos Archie Bunker but he loves his family Frank Costanza
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02-08-2013, 07:50 PM	#10
MikeLutton Mike Lutton DVD Legend! Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 05, 2005 Location: usa pennsyvania Posts: 6,888	George Louies Jefferson.best parents try give Lionel the best of everything a Job money
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02-07-2013, 10:43 AM	#2
McGillicuddy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 28, 2002 Posts: 5,179	Worst Lucy & Ricky Ricardo Best Ward & June Cleaver

02-07-2013, 05:06 PM	#5
Ronny G Member Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 14, 2001 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 540	BEST: Kate Bradley from Petticoat Junction. She seemed to have her daughters in check, and gave them good advice, too! Her daughters seemed to respect her and they did what she told them. Lots of scenes of them doing chores. like washing the dishes or changing the bed sheets. WORST: The Mitchells, parents of Dennis the Menace. I'm not saying they didn't love him, but that kid terrorized the neighborhood. He didn't listen to his parents or follow their rules. He was often seen sneaking out of the house, sometimes late at night! I don't think he was ever properly punished.

02-08-2013, 06:46 PM	#9
McGillicuddy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 28, 2002 Posts: 5,179	I agree with Comedyfreak, that Herman & Lily Munster fall under the "best" category. They always had Eddie's (and also Marilyn's) interests at heart. However, I think Gomez & Morticia Addams fall among the "worst", They rarely took an interest in their kids, and just let them do whatever they wanted! And they just had Grandmama or Lurch look after them much of the time!

02-08-2013, 07:58 PM	#11
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	Best: Mike and Carol Brady Archie and Edith Bunker James and Florida Evans Hank and Peggy Hill Doug and Kate Lawrence Sid and Karen Fairgate Worst Paul and Ruth Galveston (father and mother to Greg Sumner) Peter and Lois Griffin The parents from "The War at Home" (can't even recall their names) The Petrelli parents from "Heroes" Peg and Al Bundy
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02-09-2013, 10:57 AM	#12
Tubehead Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 12, 2007 Location: chattanooga.tn Posts: 5,139	Best Parents beest Elyse and Steven Keaton Howard and Marion Cunningham carl and harriet wlislow tim and jilll talroy homeinmporvment the waltons gereo and wizzer on the jerffersons not Parents anut bee and and andyy my two dads don't know their names fred snford Julia Baker - Julia '68-'71 Tom Corbett -The Courtship Of Eddie's Father worst parnests the parnests form alf the pranets from all in the faimily parntests from

02-09-2013, 07:09 PM	#14
tvfan25 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 10, 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 634	BEST Rob & Laura (Dick Van Dyke Show) Harry Weston (Empty Nest) Reba Hart (Reba) Ella Payne (House of Payne) Willie & Kate Tanner (ALF) Jed Clampett (Beverly Hillbillies) Alan & Amy Matthews (Boy Meets World) Phillip & Vivian Banks (Fresh Prince of Bel Air) Danny Tanner (Full House) WORST Jack & Jenny Malloy (Unhappily Ever After) Curtis Payne (House of Payne) Benny Lopez (George Lopez Show) Red & Kitty Forman (That 70's Show) Pops (The Wayans Bros.)

02-09-2013, 10:12 PM	#15
McGillicuddy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 28, 2002 Posts: 5,179	Worst of all parent: HOMER SIMPSON!! I suppose Marge is: A Bit of Both!