In honor of Father’s Day this Sunday, the topic for this Friday is 5 of my favorite TV fathers:

1. Little House on the Prairie

There isn’t a dreamier dad on retro TV than Pa Ingalls. With his rugged look, and ability to break into tears at the drop of his prairie hat, Michael Landon not only starred as Laura Ingalls father in one of the 70’s greatest television shows, he also kept viewers tuned in every week.

2. My Three Sons

With his quirky attitude, his friendly demeanor and soft spoken voice, Fred MacMurray played Steve Douglas the widower taking care of his three sons in a time period where it was thought men couldn’t possibly do such a thing without the help of a female partner in the house. Of course Uncle Charley was always around to help out and get breakfast on the table in a very military like fashion.

3. Happy Days

Tom Bosley played the part of Howard Cunningham; one of the funniest dads to watch week after week. I mean the poor man had a guy like The Fonz walking into his kitchen everyday without a moment’s notice. Lots of laughs watching this guy try to get a break with his slippers and coffee in the morning while dealing with the antics of Joanie, Chachi, Potsie and Ralph Malph. Good thing Arnold’s was nearby so Howard could have a moment or two alone in his armchair.

4. Bill Cosby

Now I have to admit I think I liked watching Bill Cosby more on Fat Albert when I was a kid but watching him as a father on The Cosby Show was entertaining too. He brought the humor of his standup comedy to this show and his agreeable, fatherly image earned him the nickname of “America’s Dad”. Anyone else want a Jell-O pudding pop?

5. Wait Till Your Father Gets Home

Tom Bosley is on the list again at the number 5 spot for the animated series, Wait Till Your Father Gets Home. Lending his voice over talent to the character Harry and dealing with his liberal wife Irma, unemployed young adult son Chet, heavyset daughter Alice and intelligent younger son Jamie he has a lot to do when he gets home from his hard day at work. Not to mention the craziness of his ultra-right winged neighbor Ralph Kane.
If you don’t remember this show here are the words to the theme song to jolt your memory a bit.

Alice: I love my mom and my dad and my brothers too, and the groovy way we get along.
Chet: Every time the slightest thing goes wrong, Mom starts to sing this familiar song.
Irma: Wait till your father gets, until your father gets, wait till your father gets home.
Chet: Dad’s not so bad and he seldom gets mad.
Alice: And we’re not about to desert him.
Irma: Kids today like to have things their way, and what Daddy doesn’t know won’t hurt him.
Alice: I think Mom is swell.
Chet: But she starts to yell.
Alice: Every time we have a fuss.
Irma: Just wait till your father gets, until your father gets, wait till your father gets home.
Alice: (chuckles) See what I mean?
Irma: Wait till your father gets home.
Alice and Chet: We know.

My favorite father not on TV, is of course my dad. He’s the kind of guy people look up to, the type of man that demands attention and respect when he walks in the room. A father that can tell stories and everyone wants to listen, about his childhood, highschool days, and even the uncomfortable ones of being in Vietnam as a soldier in the United States Army. My dad is a fan of John Wayne and so to honor him I created a fun photo with the magic of Photoshop. I entitled it JIM WAYNE.
Happy Father’s Day Dad!