How Do You Pick the Best TV Dads?

How do you pick the best TV dads?  By asking a dad on TV, of course.  Paul Bates, who happens to be a loving father and co-star of the hit CTV comedy Dan For Mayor, volunteered to share his picks.  And here they are:

 Paul Bates’ Top 5 TV Dads

 5. Frank Costanza

The father of Seinfeld’s George Costanza is old-school.  He’s principled. 
 He’s also loud, volatile, and embarrassing.  But we love him – because he’s somebody else’s dad.   I mean come on, the dude made his own holiday.

4. Homer Simpson

Homer’s a compendium of the best and worst of every man on the planet; kind of an animated behavior manual for the rest of us guys.  So he’s the world’s best dad… and also the worst.  But the main thing is he’s hilarious.  At least he was from seasons 1 -10, after that I don’t know, I haven’t
watched since 2000.  Still, he’s the only TV dad I can think of that could make child abuse funny (sorry, Bing Crosby).

3. Every dad on Modern Family

I couldn’t pick just one of these dads.  Ed O’Neill, Ty Burrell, Eric Stonestreet and Jesse Tyler Ferguson are all too good.  Their characters are honest, witty, physical and hilarious.  Seriously y’all, Modern Family’s the best comedy on television.  Wait a second, I’m supposed to be promoting Dan For Mayor. 

2. Cosby

One word: Cosby.  Although I should clarify: I’m talking about the Cosby Show, not Cosby Mysteries.

1. George Bluth, Sr.

By no means is Jeffrey Tambor’s George Bluth a good dad.  But he was my favourite part of Arrested Development, and he’s one of the funniest characters, let alone dads, that have ever been on TV.  I was going to try to share my favourite quote of his without coming off like a geeky fan boy but I couldn’t, so whatever, I’m a fan boy, here’s the quote:

George Sr.: [recently incarcerated, explaining why he left his company to his wife] They cannot charge a husband and wife for the same crime.
Michael: That’s not true.
George Sr.: Really?
Michael: Yep.
-Beat.-
George Sr.: I’ve got the worst fucking attorneys.    

Bonus!  Paul Bates’ #1 Worst TV Dad:

Jack Bauer

Bauer.  Transfer to accounting.  Install some deadbolts in your front door
.  Try not to get your wife murdered.  PROTECT YOUR FAMILY.

By the way, while we’re watching Dan For Mayor Sunday nights on CTV, Paul’s grooming the next generation of comedians.

He’s only 18 months so it’s not exactly nuanced, but he’s got a funny face routine and he pulls it out specifically to get laughs.  He even does it on cue.  I was so proud that I taped it, made a video out of it and put it on YouTube.