The Best and Worst Single Dads on TV

My dad passed away in the 1960s and I'm not a dad myself, so Father's Day isn't a big day in my world. (Except for the fact that the cologne counter at Macy's always has some great deals. I got a travel bag once!)

And since Father's Day is this Sunday, it's that time of year when sites roll out their lists for the best and worst TV dads. But I thought I'd shake it up a bit this year and list the best and worst single dads on TV. The best list was rather easy, the worst list, not so much ...


THE BEST

Andy Taylor ('The Andy Griffith Show'). Sheriff Taylor could actually be one of the best dads on TV period, single or not. He's a wonderful father to Opie, teaching him a new lesson in every episode, taking him fishing, putting as much emphasis on school as he did life-learning. He's a good person in general, too, always helping his deputy save face, making sure his aunt is happy and being so respected by the Mayberry citizens he doesn't even have to wear a gun.

Lucas McCain ('The Rifleman'). McCain is like Andy Taylor, only he kills tons of people over the show's five season run. But he instills a sense of independence and honor in Mark McCain, and Mark is such a great kid that you can tell that he would grow up to be a fine adult too (just like Opie, who grew up to be a fine movie director).

Tom Corbett ('The Courtship of Eddie's Father'). It's not always good when a parent is their kids' "best friend," but Tom Corbett is so ridiculously calm and understanding and patient that it's OK. He wasn't big on being strict (this was the 70s, after all), but he wasn't a lightweight dad either.

(Side note: Who played the son in the original movie version of 'The Courtship of Eddie's Father'? Ron Howard, who played Opie! I sense a pattern.)

Tony Micelli ('Who's The Boss'). Was Tony over-protective? Probably. But it's also impressive how he gave up his career to become a live-in maid, a great lesson for his daughter.

Michael Bluth ('Arrested Development'). Michael is the only sane constant in son George Michael's life. He cared so much for his son that in the final episode they escaped from their crazy family with a bunch of money and a boat. Now that's a dad.


THE WORST

Ken Titus ('Titus'). Drunk? Yes. Abusive? Yup. Sleazy? That too. Talk about an unfit parent. He's not the type of dad who would appreciate a Hallmark card, and if you got him a gift he'd probably sell it for beer money.

Michael Dawson ('Lost'). First, Michael doesn't even want to take his son, Walt, asking his mom to take him instead, and then when they crash on the island, Michael kills two women, lies and leads his fellow castaways into a trap so he can get off the island (with his son, but still...). He later tries to kill himself.

Sure, he redeems himself later, but what a messed up parent.

Lionel Luther ('Smallville'). Sure, Lionel became better (with "better" being a relative term) as the show went on, but he started out pretty bad, always trying to find out what Clark is up to and pushing his son Lex into the wrong direction.

Paul Young ('Desperate Housewives'). Where to begin? He helped his wife cover up one killing and then murdered another woman and chopped up her body. Then, he tried to frame a neighbor for the crime. Then later, while in jail, he hired two guys to beat up the same guy and faked a rescue. No wonder the kid he raised is so messed up.

Max Sheffield ('The Nanny'). I know, I know, many of you will say that Max isn't that bad. But come on. The guy never has time for his kids, he never played with them, and even has to hire a nanny to take care of the kids, even though he already has a butler and an assistant. And his youngest daughter is in therapy!

And it's not like he becomes a better dad as the series progressed, he pretty much stays Max Sheffield, busy Broadway producer. I don't doubt Max loves his kids completely, but he's an invisible man when it came to being a father. He also has a British accent and his kids don't at all, which is odd.

What are your choices for good and bad single dads?

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