Shows depicting "Bad Parents" ? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

GentlemanJim · 01-16-2021, 10:56 AM

I had an experience with an ill behaved child at the grocery store yesterday, which...after a follow up discussion with the child's mother, left little room for doubt where the dysfunction originated.

And, that got me to wondering,....how many shows can you think of where bad parenting was a plot device? Off the top of my head, I guess that "Married with Children" is a natural choice, but what others are there?

favoriteshow · 01-16-2021, 01:01 PM

Roseanne.

Even though Dan and Roseanne would in the end do what's best for the kids-
my mom originally didn't like the series because the kids would talk back to the parents and it was condoned.

The way Darlene acted, for example, allowed other kids watching the show to behave like her.

When I watch the Connors now, though, I think the show has far less bad parenting dynamic that way between Darlene and now her kids.

favoriteshow · 01-16-2021, 01:08 PM

Step By Step also.

While the parents didn't really come off as bad or irresponsible, the kids from the two families were always hostile with each other.

It's like the parents were weak parents and couldn't keep family peace.

I just remember growing tired of that dynamic of them fighting early on.

I know by the later seasons, they became to tolerate each other better but the show was already junk anyways by then.

RetroGuy2000 · 01-16-2021, 03:23 PM

The show where the parents were by far the worst was Still Standing. I couldn't watch it. The parents were constantly bullying their son. It was weird.

cnnbcbs · 01-16-2021, 03:29 PM

Roseanne
Still Standing
Married With Children
Titus
Grounded For Life
Yes Dear (?)

TVLegend · 01-16-2021, 03:58 PM

The Bernie Mac Show

dee2364 · 01-16-2021, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by favoriteshow

When I watch the Connors now, though, I think the show has far less bad parenting dynamic that way between Darlene and now her kids.

Are you kidding? Darlene's daughter is a stone cold you-know-what, completely arrogant and disrespectful. I haven't caught the new episodes of season 3 yet, but from what I saw from season 2, that kid is a monster.

GentlemanJim · 01-16-2021, 04:58 PM

Does anyone think that the Drysdales from the Beverly Hillbillies qualify? Sonny was sort of a hot mess, and it was pretty evident that Margret was given credit for that. Just curious if I'm being over harsh?

stevea · 01-16-2021, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GentlemanJim

Does anyone think that the Drysdales from the Beverly Hillbillies qualify? Sonny was sort of a hot mess, and it was pretty evident that Margret was given credit for that. Just curious if I'm being over harsh?

What about that little Milbie kid? I forget whose kid he was, but he was somehow related to Drysdale. But he swindled the Clampetts, right?

I think Drysdale finally punished him by taking away his money belt.

GentlemanJim · 01-16-2021, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevea

What about that little Milbie kid? .

I had forgotten about him. He was hilarious!

GentlemanJim · 01-16-2021, 10:11 PM

How about "Bewitched"?

Sam's parents are typically depicted as malevolent, and antagonistic towards her ambition to do what she considers the right thing to do..

Duster76 · 01-16-2021, 11:33 PM

From MTM on ABC Friday nights for a brief time during the 74-75 season, The Texas Wheelers starring the great Jack Elam. Jack plays a less than reliable father returning home after the children's mother dies.

treky · 01-17-2021, 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duster76

From MTM on ABC Friday nights for a brief time de summer after it was danncelluring the 74-75 season, The Texas Wheelers starring the great Jack Elam. Jaat show. I remember thck plays a less than reliable father returning home after the children's mother dies.

yea' I remember th

Yong Fang · 01-17-2021, 10:59 PM

Everybody Loves Raymond. Raymond and Deb would have been better off as a childless couple. They did love the children but Ray was too preoccupied and childish, while Debra was angry all the time because she felt like she was the full time parents and maid. How many years did we listen to Debra bitch and complain to Ray to help out more? He was too busy playing golf with his buddies.

You didn’t even see the kids that much and one can forget at first look they even had children.

icecream · 01-17-2021, 11:29 PM

No one was a worse parent than the grandma on George Lopez.

01-16-2021, 10:56 AM	#1
GentlemanJim Concerns, Support, & Feedback Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 26, 2019 Location: The back country Posts: 5,443	Shows depicting "Bad Parents" ? I had an experience with an ill behaved child at the grocery store yesterday, which...after a follow up discussion with the child's mother, left little room for doubt where the dysfunction originated. And, that got me to wondering,....how many shows can you think of where bad parenting was a plot device? Off the top of my head, I guess that "Married with Children" is a natural choice, but what others are there?

01-16-2021, 03:23 PM	#4
RetroGuy2000 Julie,Julie Anne,&Felice 4Ever Forum Star Join Date: Dec 27, 2013 Posts: 16,914	The show where the parents were by far the worst was Still Standing. I couldn't watch it. The parents were constantly bullying their son. It was weird.
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01-17-2021, 11:29 PM	#15
icecream Cat-tastic and Whiskerlicious Forum Celebrity Join Date: Sep 01, 2006 Location: The Catacombs Posts: 20,689	No one was a worse parent than the grandma on George Lopez.
	__________________ Top 200 TV Shows https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...14#post6225214 Top 150 Movies https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...84#post6175384 Top 1100 Scripted TV Characters https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...d.php?t=493306 Top Rookie TV Shows by Calendar Year https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...d.php?t=365017 Top Movies by Calendar Year https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...d.php?t=473533

01-16-2021, 01:01 PM	#2
favoriteshow Member Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 08, 2018 Posts: 587	Roseanne. Even though Dan and Roseanne would in the end do what's best for the kids- my mom originally didn't like the series because the kids would talk back to the parents and it was condoned. The way Darlene acted, for example, allowed other kids watching the show to behave like her. When I watch the Connors now, though, I think the show has far less bad parenting dynamic that way between Darlene and now her kids.

01-16-2021, 01:08 PM	#3
favoriteshow Member Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 08, 2018 Posts: 587	Step By Step also. While the parents didn't really come off as bad or irresponsible, the kids from the two families were always hostile with each other. It's like the parents were weak parents and couldn't keep family peace. I just remember growing tired of that dynamic of them fighting early on. I know by the later seasons, they became to tolerate each other better but the show was already junk anyways by then.

01-16-2021, 03:29 PM	#5
cnnbcbs Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 08, 2017 Posts: 366	Roseanne Still Standing Married With Children Titus Grounded For Life Yes Dear (?)

01-16-2021, 03:58 PM	#6
TVLegend Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 06, 2020 Location: United States Posts: 4,306	The Bernie Mac Show

01-16-2021, 04:58 PM	#8
GentlemanJim Concerns, Support, & Feedback Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 26, 2019 Location: The back country Posts: 5,443	Does anyone think that the Drysdales from the Beverly Hillbillies qualify? Sonny was sort of a hot mess, and it was pretty evident that Margret was given credit for that. Just curious if I'm being over harsh?

01-16-2021, 10:11 PM	#11
GentlemanJim Concerns, Support, & Feedback Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 26, 2019 Location: The back country Posts: 5,443	How about "Bewitched"? Sam's parents are typically depicted as malevolent, and antagonistic towards her ambition to do what she considers the right thing to do..

01-16-2021, 11:33 PM	#12
Duster76 Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 01, 2008 Location: New jersey Posts: 1,644	From MTM on ABC Friday nights for a brief time during the 74-75 season, The Texas Wheelers starring the great Jack Elam. Jack plays a less than reliable father returning home after the children's mother dies.

01-17-2021, 10:59 PM	#14
Yong Fang Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 04, 2009 Location: Memphis Tennessee Posts: 3,073	Everybody Loves Raymond. Raymond and Deb would have been better off as a childless couple. They did love the children but Ray was too preoccupied and childish, while Debra was angry all the time because she felt like she was the full time parents and maid. How many years did we listen to Debra bitch and complain to Ray to help out more? He was too busy playing golf with his buddies. You didn’t even see the kids that much and one can forget at first look they even had children.