Viewers Name The Best And Worst TV Parents
We all know that parenting can be a challenge. You don’t have to have kids to know this–you can tell just from watching TV. The shows we watch give audiences the best and the worst of parenting. We can see parents who, in spite of their financial circumstances, can raise great kids. Other shows have kids who miraculously become wonderful people despite having terrible parents. And there are even characters who carry on the destructive patterns they grew up with. We’d love to grow up with some of the parents on this list. The only good thing we can say about the others is that they’re fictional.
People of the internet named the best and worst TV parents of all time. Do you agree with their list?
BEST: Eric and Tami Taylor, Friday Night Lights
Eric and Tami are a couple who know how to disagree peacefully, whether it’s with each other or with their kids. Eric’s tough coach image doesn’t stop him from showing real affection for his family! He has the patience of a saint when Julie goes through her rebellious phase and even declares she doesn’t like football.
However, Eric doesn’t take offense to his daughter’s dislike of the sport. He takes it in stride, and in the end Julie goes to games and cheers him on. Tami and Eric model a healthy marriage for their kids. Tami can call Eric out when he lets his players’ academics slide, and the couple still shows consistent respect and affection for each other.
WORST: Bill and Claire Huxtable, The Cosby Show
Bill and Claire Huxtable used to be the most popular mom and dad on television in the 80s. In fact, Bill Cosby was referred to as “America’s Dad.” However, the world has changed since then. After Cosby’s many sexual assaults came to light, people are found it different to love the sitcom the way they used to.
This has caused a reappraisal of Bill and Claire Huxtable as parents. We’ll be honest–some of the criticisms seem a bit picky. It may be a way to rationalize the fact that few can stand to watch reruns of the sitcom. Bill Cosby’s goofiness which used to be endearing seems annoying to people today. There were a bit too many “teachable” moments that seemed contrived, even for its time.
BEST: Keith Mars, Veronica Mars
Most people love to share their hobbies and careers with their kids. Keith has passed on his smarts, and his sleuthing abilities, to his daughter Veronica. We suspect that this isn’t just a genetic connection, because we see Keith as a cool dad that any kid would want to have. In fact, many fans like Keith almost as much as Veronica.
Keith Mars is one of the best dads on television. He’s always supportive of his daughter and honest with her when he thinks she’s on the wrong track. It’s no wonder the father and daughter are so close. We might be thrilled watching Veronica solve a mystery, but she wouldn’t be the sleuth she is without her dad.
WORST: Ted and Karen Wheeler, Stranger Things
While strange things keep happening to Nancy and Mike Wheeler, their parents are out to lunch. The cluelessness of this couple is like comic relief. Karen is obsessed with trying to relive her glory days when she was young, and Ted doesn’t seem to notice anything’s wrong. We can’t decide if this is funny, sad, or both.
Ted is completely on autopilot. He is like a satire of 80s conformity, except he doesn’t even have his life together. Ted falls asleep in his chair while chaos ensues around him. Meanwhile, Karen almost has an affair with an 18-year-old because she’s so self-absorbed. She’s focused on wanting to be a kid rather than on being a good parent. This couple is almost as strange as the show!
BEST: Morticia and Gomez Addams, The Addams Family
The Adams Family was meant to be a satire on the perfect family. In the 50s and early 60s, there was a slew of shows idealizing family life. This usually consisted of cheerful kids and parents in their socially acceptable gender roles. The Adams Family celebrated eccentricity and showed that even ghoulish families are worth growing up in.
Morticia and Gomez may look spooky, but they don’t keep their kids in line by scaring them. Instead, the Adams parents listen to their children and teach them important life lessons. This result is kids who are intelligent, fun, and relatable. We could all learn a lot about marriage and child-rearing from this spooky pair.
WORST: Cal Jacobs, Euphoria
Cal has it all when it comes to being a terrible role model. Maybe it’s better he doesn’t stick around and display his bad behavior to his kids. However, leaving them behind isn’t a whole lot better. Cal may have a tragic backstory, but that isn’t a good excuse for his terrible actions. And boy does he have many of them.
Cal films people without their permission, cheats on his spouse, and leaves his family behind. He was arrested for drunk driving and doesn’t show any signs of changing his ways. But abandoning his kids takes the cake. That’s something no child will ever be fully able to recover from.
BEST: Red and Kitty Forman, That 70s Show
Since they met at a USO dance in 1952, Red and Kitty have demonstrated the power of a stable relationship. They may have their disagreements, but it’s clear all their kids feel safe. This even goes for their foster son Hyde. They are products of their era, but we wouldn’t mind living in the Forman household.
Sure, Red can be kind of a jerk at times. He has a temper, but it’s never intimidating. Kitty likes to nurture, her favorite remedy for heartache is a plate of food. This isn’t just a stereotypical throwback to another era. These characters feel real and complement each other so well that they make us want to be a part of their family.
WORST: Monica and Frank Gallagher, Shameless
With a title like Shameless, we know we can’t expect examples of model behavior. However, Monica and Frank take the cake when it comes to bad parenting. Their relationship was dysfunctional from the start. Frank does the bare minimum for his kids, but Monica raises her hopes only to destroy them.
She leaves something to her family when she dies–thousands of dollars worth of drugs. Her final wish is to be buried with 2 pounds of meth. If that wasn’t enough… there’s Frank. While he defends his children against Eric, it’s the bare minimum. He’s never present, and constantly scheming. The kids are let down by their parents again and again.
BEST: Roseanne and Dan Conner, Roseanne
People often criticize the Conners for the fact that some of their kids had complicated lives. However, we don’t think Dan and Roseanne are entirely to blame. Roseanne was a revolutionary sitcom when it premiered in the 90s. It provided a glimpse into the lives of a working-class family. People saw themselves in Roseanne and Dan Conner and it was clear that they were doing their best.
The main challenges the Conners faced were financial. However, they worked hard to avoid repeating many of the mistakes their parents made. They taught their kids to be decent, kind, and hard-working. The Conners were honest with their kids when they messed up. We like the fact that they were genuine, and apparently so did millions of fans.
WORST: George and Lucille Bluth, Arrested Development
Where can we start with George and Lucille Bluth in Arrested Development? They ship a kid off to the army and then adopt a child out of spite. Giving your kids guidance is one thing, but teaching them lessons to scar them is another. They even pressured their kid to commit perjury to avoid jail time!
Wait, there’s more. They drugged one of their kids so they could blame an accident on them. They took advantage of their kids’ conflicts by filming them and selling the videos. Furthermore, they were straight-up neglectful. We can’t say many good things about George and Lucille Bluth. At least their bad parenting provides some comic relief.
BEST: Frankie and Mike Heck, The Middle
This ABC series showed the life of a financially struggling but stable family in Orson, Indiana. Frankie and Mike may not have had much money, but they taught their kids to make the best of the situation. Instead of splurging on fancy vacations, the family enjoyed simple nights in front of the TV, even if that meant spending hours debating what to watch.
Frankie has gotten some criticism for being a bit too permissive. However, that may just be her personality–it’s clear she loves her kids. Mike is really Frankie’s rock and holds the family together, in spite of Frankie’s antics. It’s clear that everyone is on the same team in this family, and that makes all the difference.
WORST: Beverly Hofstadter, The Big Bang Theory
The evil scientist is a staple of classic movies and TV shows. But what about the cruel mother who happens to be a scientist? Beverly is cold-hearted and cares more about being a neuroscientist than raising her kid. She even did experiments on Leonard to further her research. These tests would haunt him later in life.
Beverly never celebrated Leonard’s birthday because she doesn’t consider becoming a year older an achievement. She preferred sitting in the back seat with Sheldon than greeting her own son. When Leonard wanted to discuss his romantic problems, his mother responded, “buck up, sissy pants!” This quarrelsome, emotionally neglectful woman isn’t anyone’s idea of a good mom.
BEST: Tim and Jill, Home Improvement
When it comes to strong personalities, Tim and Jill on Home Improvement certainly fit the bill. It should be noted that Patricia Richardson who played Jill wasn’t the first choice for the role. However, when producers saw their chemistry, and that Jill could hold her own against Tim, Patricia was cast for the part.
Tim “The Tool Man” understood how much could go wrong with DIY projects. He and Jill had to admit their mistakes to their kids. They also didn’t let their differences divide them. Jill liked the culture and Tim liked “regular guy” stuff. However, they complemented each other in a way that showed that two people can get along, despite their differences. They also always listened to their kids–even with the sounds of drills in the background.
WORST: Mrs. McDonald, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
It’s safe to say Mac in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia didn’t have a good father figure, seeing as his dad was a criminal and spent most of his life in jail. However, his mother Mrs. McDonald certainly didn’t help the situation. She admitted she didn’t love him and spent her life watching television instead of focusing on his needs.
They teach their son all the wrong lessons. A prime example is when they take Mac with them to steal people’s gifts on Christmas morning. It’s really no wonder Mac grew up the way he did, he didn’t have anyone in his life to teach him differently!
BEST: Virginia and Burt Chance, Raising Hope
This entry has three parents because it takes a village to raise Hope. Jimmy clearly shows his true colors when he agrees to raise a child conceived during his one-night stand with a serial killer. Clearly, Raising Hope is a situation outside the typical parental experience. Jimmy says he didn’t abandon Hope (or hope) because of the model provided by his parents, Virginia and Burt Chance.
Other parents look forward to the empty nester years. Yet Burt and Virginia, who are still in love after all of these years, made great sacrifices to raise their grandchild. Of course, they didn’t see this coming but were ready to rise to the occasion.
WORST: Carrie Matheson, Homeland
Carrie Matheson is a trainwreck as a person and a mother. She doesn’t seem to think her behavior has any effect on her daughter. The child’s life started off on a bad note when her mother contemplated drowning her. She also didn’t put any effort or care into choosing babysitters. One babysitter had severe TBI and PTSD, another was a compromised agent!
Both times a SWAT team was called in. This caused her child severe trauma. However, Carrie dropped her kid off at school like nothing happened. This isn’t resilience–it’s emotional negligence. Carrie even leaves the country, doesn’t come back, and then has the audacity to dedicate a book to her daughter.
BEST: Al and Peggy Bundy, Married…With Children
It’s not just that Al has the same last name as an infamous serial killer–he doesn’t seem to have much luck. He’s unhappy with his job as a shoe salesman, but he sticks with it. Peggy isn’t exactly known for her work ethic, but perhaps she’s just tired of being stuck with all the housework.
Although Al and Peggy Bundy were meant to be satirical characters, we can’t help but like them. They are cool parents in their own way. Al Bundy was determined to stick it out no matter what, while Peggy showed her kids how to live as an individual and not succumb to social norms.
WORST: De’Londa Brice, The Wire
If De’Londa Brice loves her child, she certainly has a funny way of showing it. Although we aren’t psychiatrists she seems like a classic narcissist. De’Londa is extremely materialistic and isn’t afraid to show it. She doesn’t seem concerned about her son at all, making her an unlikeable character to viewers.
Some people argue that De’Londa is rough on her son to toughen him up. However, there’s no way her kind of discipline is healthy. She insults his masculinity, basically calling him a wimp. She also compares him unfavorably to his father. We’re not sure how anyone can grow up well with this kind of treatment. This is truly toxic parenting.
BEST: Adam and Kristina Braverman, Parenthood
The multi-generational series shows us how patterns can be passed from one generation to another, and how people bravely break out of those patterns when they need to. Adam’s parents may have tried their best, but he makes up his mind not to repeat their mistakes and prides himself on persistence and goodwill. Kristina is more than just a typical soccer mom and always goes the extra mile for her kids.
The event that demonstrates their devotion to their kids is when they help out at school for their son Max who has Asperger’s Syndrome. This came at a time when Adam and Kristina were at a crossroads in their lives. The academy gave them new direction and a shared sense of purpose while making their children feel valued.
WORST: Evelyn Harper, Two and a Half Men
Evelyn is a pretty insensitive person. She doesn’t like people who don’t have money, and that includes some of her son’s girlfriends. She doesn’t hesitate to say so either. There’s no question she’s a self-centered person who puts her own wants and desires above the feelings of her children. Not only was Evelyn an uncaring mother, but she was also an indifferent grandmother.
She tells Alan she’s not interested in having her grandson Jake stay with her because he isn’t as cute as he used to be. She even asks Alan to forge a signature and says she does it all the time. We wouldn’t blame Alan if he stopped talking to Evelyn, but then Two and a Half Men would be lacking a character we love to hate.
BEST: Amy and Alan Matthews, Boy Meets World
Although the show Boy Meets World is all about Cory, we can’t help but admire his parents, Amy and Alan Matthews. They strike the perfect balance that keeps them from coming off as sappy and overly sentimental. They’re real without being rugged, making us genuinely admire their parenting decisions.
For example, when Cory is fed up and wants to live in a treehouse, Amy doesn’t turn it into a power struggle. Instead, she offers to bring his meals outside. Not everyone would be comfortable with this, but these parents foster Croy’s independence. This is what makes the show worth re-watching as an adult.
WORST: Robert Baratheon and Cersei Lannister, Game of Thrones
Some feel we should cut some slack for parents of earlier generations. However, Robert from Game of Thrones was a terrible parent, even for his own time. Perhaps we’re judging him too harshly because he was the father to a menace like Joffrey. Yet he still holds the blame as he spent most of his time involved in unsavory activities. It’s not that his royal duties distracted him from being a good role model, it was his own behavior.
Perhaps Robert could be forgiven for not caring for his children. After all, they weren’t his. However, his indifference made that secret obvious. Their mother didn’t care very much for them either. This rotten duo created Joffrey. We aren’t at all surprised that this family is extremely dysfunctional.
BEST: Sandy and Kirsten Cohen, The O.C.
Some TV shows try to depict the ideal family. Others like to show a domestic dumpster fire. It’s not easy to depict a soap opera and have them be successful parents. Sandy and Kirsten’s life sounds like a laundry list of dysfunction: infidelity, alcoholism, and even an earthquake. If they can manage to be good parents through all that, they can do anything!
In spite of all that, they manage to model determination and communication skills to their sons. Both Sandy and Kirsten encourage their sons to be good men and give great relationship advice. After all this couple has been through, they certainly are experts at resolving conflict.
WORST: Selina Meyer, Veep
Selina Meyer wants to make it to the Oval office any way she can. This means the people around her, including her daughter, are collateral damage. Having a mother who values her career over all else can’t be easy, but there’s more to Selina than just being a mother with no time for her kid.
She doesn’t have a real relationship with pretty much anyone. In her ambitious drive for success, she neglects everyone in her life. She knows they’re there, she just doesn’t care, unless of course she can use them to her advantage.
BEST: Uncle Phil and Aunt Viv, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air
When the Fresh Prince goes to live with his Uncle Phil and Aunt Viv in a mansion in Bel Air, he thought he won the jackpot. However, it’s not exactly easy living with these two, and that’s a good thing. This couple is a model of what tough and loving parenting should look like.
Uncle Phil always provides a useful lesson when Will steps out of line. He lets him know that accountability is important. Aunt Viv is a polished, elegant career woman who combines boundaries with love. They take Will in like one of their own. Maybe the way they live is more comfortable, but he’s still taught how to be an upstanding individual.
WORST: Jack and Judy Geller, Friends
It’s never good for a parent to show favoritism, but Jack and Judy did just that. They didn’t make it a secret that they favored Ross over their daughter Monica. Judy is the epitome of passive-aggressive with her not-so-subtle putdowns towards her daughter. Jack just seems to care about his Porsche more than his children.
Jack doesn’t mind using Monica’s box of memories to keep his car from getting wet. They even spent her wedding fund on their beach house. It’s one thing to enjoy one’s golden years, but not at the expense of your kids. Jack and Judy don’t seem to understand how to show genuine love to both of their children.
BEST: Tara and Max, United States of Tara
Some parents should be given extra points, or the benefit of the doubt, because of the challenges they face. This is definitely true for Tara in The United States of Tara. As a mom with dissociative identity disorder, she has a lot on her plate. Despite the fact that other personalities may take over from time to time, she’s still committed to her kids.
Tara is accepting and supports her gay son while also being calm in dealing with her daughter’s antics. Max provides a model of stability in the face of Tara’s unpredictability. The takeaway from this couple is that it’s possible to remain close and supportive even in the presence of extreme challenges, no matter what they may be.
WORST: Reverend and Mrs. Baker, Degrassi
Becky’s parents could be villains in a soap opera. They are frustratingly blind to their daughter’s welfare and are constantly sabotaging her. Their interference in her relationships caused serious problems. Even worse was how they pressured their daughter to lie in court. When Luke was on trial for assaulting Zoe, Becky’s parents made it clear which side she was supposed to be on.
Even though she sacrificed a lot, her parents didn’t really care about her emotional well-being after the trial. Their cold remarks when she was looking for comfort were heartbreaking. Unfortunately, there are people like this in the world, but we wish they would stay behind the screen.
BEST: Hal and Lois, Malcolm in the Middle
People have faulted Hal and Lois of Malcolm in the Middle for losing their patience with their kids. However, raising five troublemakers on a strained budget would make anyone impatient, at least from time to time. Given how well the kids turn out by the end of the series, we have to conclude that Hal and Lois did a pretty good job.
They’re the kind of parents we might judge harshly as children. However, when we have kids of our own, we rewatch and realize that they did the best they could with what they had. With Malcolm headed to Harvard and the rest gainfully employed, Hal and Lois deserve a “bravo.”
WORST: Mike and Carol, The Brady Bunch
The Brady Bunch seemed to be the epitome of wholesomeness in the 70s. Who wouldn’t admire this seamlessly blended family? Sure there were fights, but they always seem to resolve them with a nice moral at the end. Mike or Carol had a way of delivering a lecture that perfectly summed things up and made everything okay.
We understand that life isn’t really as neat and tidy as Brady’s home (cheerfully cared for by Alice). Nowadays, Brady’s parental lectures seem fake and comical. We kind of wish after the lecture the kids would return to their pillow fights or pranks. Mike and Carol knew what to say, but did they really listen?