There are times when everyone wants to have a TV Dad. You know the ones, men like Ward Cleaver, Cliff Huxtable, or Dan Conner. The type of dad who will impart important lessons and protect their children no matter what. Then there are the TV Dads that are a bit harder to read. They seem selfish, arrogant, and would not know where their children are at any given time. Yet, deep down, they still love them and would give their life (sometimes literally) for their kids. Here is a list of some of the more confusing TV Dads, both past and present. Warning, article may contain spoilers on certain plot lines.
John Gilbert (David Anders) - "The Vampire Diaries"
Elena's (Nina Dobrev) real father John Gilbert is arrogant, pushy, and sometimes just plain creepy. Perhaps that is why she trusts him as far as she could throw him. However, given the chance, John , in an effort to keep his daughter from turning into a vampire, allowed his life force to be drained and placed in Elena so her soul could remain in tact. If that does not say fierce protector, then what truly does?
Homer Simpson - "The Simpsons"
Loveable yes, but when watching "The Simpsons," once cannot deny the fact that Homer sometimes puts his own needs before his kids (plus that choking bit with him and Bart might not play so well on a live action show.) Yet, when the chips are down, Bart, Lisa, and even sometimes forgotten Maggie know he will pull through, even with something as simple as changing the ending of their favorite story just to protect their feelings to jumping over a canyon in your place. Perhaps that is the reason audiences seem to embrace Homer, flaws and all.
Al Bundy (Ed O' Neill) - "Married with Children"
Ask Al where his kids Bud and Kelly are at 11 p.m. on a school night, and you might just get a blank stare. Ask him again an hour later, and well, you get the idea. Even when it seems like Al (and to the same extent, his Peggy) really just does not care about his kids at all, true fans of the classic sitcom know he truth: you would be hard pressed to find a more protective father, especially where Kelly is concerned. Less than suitable "dates" always seem to find themselves being introduced to the front door, before and after it has been opened.
