The cornerstone of every ’90s sitcom and the moral compass for struggling teens in any high school drama, TV parents always find a way to sprinkle their wisdom throughout episodes while providing comfort and comedy to their on-screen children and the off-screen audience.
Some parents offer a look at how not to act, like the erratic Frank Gallagher (William H. Macy) drunkenly stumbling through life on Shameless. Others act as guiding figures, like Danny (Bob Saget), Jesse (John Stamos), and Joey (Dave Coulier) on Full House, who provide reassurance, not only in their source of knowledge and advice but also in the ways they’re not perfect. These parents remind us that in order to grow, we must make mistakes because no one is perfect. We connect to these characters because they are more than just parents to kids; they are complex characters with compelling backgrounds that have shaped them significantly.
You may have experienced the struggles of parenthood and can relate to the many conflicts that arise, or you’ve been parented and feel a familial connection as you grow up alongside these fictional families. We all know there are those few shows that have parents we either want to emulate or wish we would’ve known growing up.
Scroll down to check out our top picks for TV’s best parents.