Father's Day Poll

Comment from Jenifer Lewis on June 9, 2009

I woould have voted for Charles Ingalls if we were voting for our favorite real-life/literary father. As it is, Michael Landon's version doesn't hold a candle to the original. The Pa in Laura's books bridged a big gap caused by my emotionally troubled father (God rest his soul) whose own father was just as incapable of being a real daddy to his kids as mine was, poor guy. I'm thankful for Laura's portrait of her father since it helped me understand the metaphor of God as a loving father, something my own father simply was unable to do. I still quote what Pa said to Laura when she was a young and inexperienced teacher struggling with a difficult situation and told her Pa that she was doing the best she could: "Then no one can ask any more of you than that." Simple words, evoking an endlessly supportive concept.

Comment from H BRINK on June 9, 2009

I voted for Gale Storm's father from the 1950s. The show isn't even syndicated that I know of, but I remember the father as just a good guy.

Comment from Michele Scharf on June 11, 2009

Watch "Leave it to Beaver"; hands down, Ward Cleaver was consumate father. Kind, supportive, tolerant even of Eddie Haskell, Ward navigated his family through times of trouble and joy. A Methodist minister in real life, Hugh Beaumont brought his gentleness and intelligence to this classic show, and to his fellow cast members, as well. He remains truly iconic. Jerry Mathers once described the episodes as little morality plays. Take a look; he was right. And Hugh Beaumont, who directed many of the shows, was the guiding hand.

Comment from H BRINK on June 11, 2009

Ward Cleaver and Mr. Rogers, both ministers. They used to remind me of each other without my realizing it. Thanx Michele.

I still like Gale Storm's father.

Comment from Elizabeth LaBelle on June 11, 2009

I voted for Jim Anderson. Growing up in a dysfunctional family, Father Knows Best was my idea of the ideal family. I longed for my father to call me princess or kitten as Jim Anderson called his daughters. I envied the way he always understood and never got angry.

Comment from Elizabeth LaBelle on June 11, 2009

I voted for Jim Anderson. Growing up in a dysfunctional family, Father Knows Best was my idea of the ideal family. I longed for my father to call me princess or kitten as Jim Anderson called his daughters. I envied the way he always understood and never got angry.

Comment from Vito & Ruth Ancona on June 11, 2009

There were so many good ones on television during my time (I'm 67), only 3 of which are listed (Anderson, Ingalls, Taylor) - some are mentioned in the comments - others weren't mentioned at all - so I picked Ingalls as a representative of them all.

Comment from George W. Bentley on June 13, 2009

How can any sane American leave Ozzie Nelson off of the top ten list. Americans ideals have gone into the toilet when the name of Homer Simpson is even considered, nevermind included in the top ten.

Comment from Teri McDowell on June 16, 2009

Tom Bosley as Howard Cunningham on Happy Days got it wrong sometimes but always made it right in the end. He was conservative but a more realistic father than the portrayals of Ward Cleaver (somewhat chauvenstic), Pa Ingalls (not bad, but idealized). I was lucky enough to have a father like Howard.

Comment from Carol Everetts on June 16, 2009

Homer Simpson? He is on the list and John Walton isn't? Why include Homer and leave out Ozzie Osbourne? I voted for John Walton of Walton's Mountain, a quiet and decent man of principle. Oh, that we had more real-life men just like him.

Comment from Carol Kelley on June 16, 2009

Since the poll wasn't for Best TV Dad, but for favorite, I voted for Homer Simpson. Homer's been making me laugh for 20 years. If I were voting for Best Dad, I would have been torn between Ward Cleaver, Andy Taylor, and Mike Brady. I have fond memories of Ozzie Nelson, Jim Anderson and Archie Bunker as well.

As far as reruns of My Little Margie, the ION network has had them fairly recently. I don't know if they still do or not. You might check to see if it's on DVD.

Comment from Linda Davis on June 17, 2009

I voted for Jim Anderson because of his calm demeanor and the way he cherished his wife and children. What I would have given to grow up in a family like that. He was never violent or abusive and so understanding. He was their rock and always there when they needed him. He was my hero dad. And he was so handsome and had such a kind look about him. I never missed a show. This same warm and kind demeanor spilled over in his Marcus Welby, M.D. character -- I never missed one of those, either.

Comment from Susan Wise on June 18, 2009

Ward Cleaver, Jim Anderson, Ozzie Nelson -- and more -- they all left perspectives of ideal fathers in different circumstances. I watched and learned and loved them all with knowledge that I would always look for them in a man. The most ideal father was my own father. There was no lack of love, no dysfunction, no meanness, no poor example. He worked hard, helped me to really see my mother in many ways, even when I didn't like how she was being.

He was even sensitive enough to care for gardens and to teach me to respect the earth and my fellow man and woman. So put the TV Dads all together with My Dad and put his twinkle in the eye and you'll have my perfect Dad.

Comment from kerry byrd on June 18, 2009

andy did good for a single dad, morals and principals, and sense of humor.

i hate homer!

Comment from E Thomas on June 18, 2009

I agree with EVERY comment regarding this assinine "HOMER" character, as it depicts the moral decline into the sludge pit AMERICAN citizens,(Mostly NOT) have sunken into over the years. As most father's you hear about DAILY are the ones whom kill, rape, maime their own children or others. These OTHER MEN/CHARACTERS have MORALS and INTEGRITY, GOD BLESS the TRUE meaning of the TITLE, anyone can be a "sperm donor" it takes character to truly be a MAN & a FATHER.

Comment from roger rudyk on June 19, 2009

Sorry,I would not pick any of the above,as my favorate father would have been from the tv show My Three Sons,suprised it wasn't on the list.

ps can anyone tell us his name.

Comment from Lynetta Billiot on June 19, 2009

I think Andy Griffith would be the perfect father, he always let Opie try things and when they didn't work, he never ciriticized him, he helped him understand why it didn't work and then how to be disciplined about his life. Homer Simpson is NOT a father, should not even be included, has been the smear on the face of fatherhood and acts like many of the fathers today, goofy, undisciplined and WITHOUT character. I agree with the last persons comment that ANYONE can be a sperm doner, doesn't make them a MAN OR A REAL FATHER. We need more Dads like most of these TV dads who are mentioned in the poll, I thought Huckstable was a great dad as well as many of the others, but LET'S LEAVE HOMER OUT OF IT ALL. I fail to see the humor in this cartoon character.

Comment from Iris Ferber on June 19, 2009

The name of the father on My Three Sons was Steve Douglas, actor's name was Fred MacMurray. I voted for Dad Ingalls but Steve Douglas was a pretty darn good single Dad in his day not to mention Bub and then the Uncle who came when Bub passed on.

Lets face it these guys are all fantasy fathers, men who we all idolized and wished our Dads were like but TV life is and never will be real life it just gives us all a chance to dream.

Comment from Allen Da Ros on June 19, 2009

I voted for Howard Cunningham although all of these dads were great in their own ways. As far as Homer Simpson he is neither a father nor a man. Just look at his kid Bart. Idiot comes to mind. My own father was Italian and he was raised under the whip. He raised me the same way. Look cross eyed and you got beat. These fathers showed me that there is a better way and I had my mind made up that I would not follow in my father's footsteps. I have been the best dad that I could to my kids. I was involved in my kids lives and supported them any way I could and still do today. I thank these gentlemen.

Comment from Pam Stewart on June 19, 2009

If Rev. Camden from 7th Heaven was on here, I think I would have voted for him. Bill Cosby was great though!

Comment from Carmen Slaughter on June 21, 2009

I voted for Jim Anderson, whom I thought was the Ideal father. Since my own Dad was not a TV Dad, this was the perfect stand-in for him.