Show: That ’70s Show Kids: Eric, Laurie Known for: His grim outlook on life (“We’re screwed”), love (“What a load of crap”) and work (“If it wasn’t work, they’d call it ‘Super wonderful crazy fun time.’”). Also regularly conveys his disdain for his only son (whom he routinely calls “dumbass”)
Red Forman is the best kind of father in that he readily admits he’s the worst kind of father. Played by veteran actor Kurtwood Smith, he’s crusty, can’t stand kids — especially his son, Eric (Topher Grace) — and doesn’t have too much patience for people in general. Like many of the dads on this list, he prefers beer, TV and tools over good company or conversation. But there’s something in the two-time war veteran’s overwhelming antipathy toward the world (and his hilariously scathing one-liners) that makes him impossible not to love.
Spoiler alert: The embedded video clip is the series’ final scene.
Show: The Sopranos Kids: Daughter, Meadow; Son, A.J. Known for: Anxiety attacks; infidelity; running the North Jersey mafia
As a father, Tony Soprano had his shortcomings. For starters, he’s the only member of this list to have one of his daughter’s boyfriends’ whacked. (He also spewed racial epithets at another of Meadow’s boyfriends, garroted a turncoat associate while ferrying his daughter on a college tour, and regularly berated his son.) Nevertheless, Tony’s struggle to balance the stresses of running his fracturing crime family and provide for his troubled domestic one was the emotional heart of the acclaimed drama. Though often clumsy or brutish, his efforts at parenting were sincere, and revealed to viewers the vulnerable side of an exceedingly dangerous character.
Richard Dawson, the wisecracking British entertainer who was among the schemers in the 1960s sitcom “Hogan’s Heroes” and a decade later began kissing thousands of female contestants as host of the game show “Family Feud” has died. He was 79.
As we prepare for the Game of Thrones finale, we recognize Joffrey and nine other baddies who showed us that terrible, horrible things can come in small packages
