Image Credit: Justin Lubin/The CW; Burrell: Danny Feld/ABCDuring last night’s premiere of Parenthood, and the long awaited return of Lauren Graham to my weekly television schedule, I couldn’t help but tear up during scenes between Adam (Peter Krause) and his son Max. I may just be a big ol’ sap, but it got me thinking about some of my favorite parent characters, like Atticus Finch (Gregory Peck) from To Kill a Mockingbird and George Banks from Father of the Bride (Steve Martin). If given the choice, who would I love to grow up with? Who would instill the best life lessons? Teach me how to ride a bike? Get me the best birthday presents?
While having Atticus Finch as a father would probably make me into the best person, and George Banks could give me a lifetime supply of sneakers and a solid jump shot, my pick for a 21st century pop culture parent would definitely be Phil Dunphy (Ty Burrell) from Modern Family. As his daughter I may find his attempts at using outdated slang (“WTF? Why the Face?”) around my friends extremely embarrassing, when alone, I’d realize that these failed efforts are also incredibly endearing (kind of like how my dad says “Cool plus-7000″? Maybe?). Plus, Papa Phil was a cheerleader, he’s good with electronics, and he could teach me a mean British accent.
Also a contender: Rufus Humphrey from Gossip Girl. As a member of the Humphrey clan, I’d quickly get my very own Welcome Back Kotter mug and wake up to the warm aroma of Rufus’ famous waffles each morning. I’d learn how to use the subway at an early age, and I’d be a hit with my classmates on career day (at least in elementary school), bringing my ’90s rock star father to serenade us with his one-hit wonder “Everytime You Walk Away.” For my mom, there’s none other than Lorelai Gilmore, a chatterbox I could trade clothes with, and share similar tastes in music and movies. In her care, my caffeine addiction would be taken very seriously, and I could avoid eating anything remotely healthy for my entire childhood. Of course if we’re talking about choosing a parent based on his or her “cuteness,” even though we are still a day away from The Office baby, Jim Halpert may be my early favorite for Father of the Year. Imagine years from now, a little Halpert pranking a little Schrute in the sandbox, just like his Daddy!
Your turn PopWatchers. Did you catch Parenthood? Can’t wait for a new Modern Family tonight? Which pop culture parents do you wish you had? Let us know below!
Easy. Mr and Mrs. Matthews from Boy Meets World. Hands down.
AGREED.
Ummm… Clair and Heathcliff Huxtable…obvs.
This is my top choice too! Since the moment I saw the episode when Cliff & Claire transformed the entire house into the “real world” to teach Theo a lesson, I knew they would be cool parents to have!
The Cosbys were overrated – Give me Maggie and Jason Seaver any day of the week. GROWING PAINS WAS AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!
They’re good. I’d also would’ve liked to have George and Weezy.
I’m so in agreement with you. To have a father like George who was so outspoken and a soft mother with asthma like Weezy would have been wonderful. George could teach me dance moves while Flourence taught me how to talk crazy to people and belittle them.
Not sold 100% as Cliff as my perfect dad, but Claire was the greatest mom of all time
Eric and Tami Taylor, who else? They’re awesome!
That was my first thought. 110% Coach and Mrs. Coach.
Yes yes yes! There can be no one else!
It’s a tie between the Taylors and the Huxtables.
I’m pretty lucky; I basically have Rick Castle for a dad (though my dad is a bit more stable) and Lorelai Gilmore for a mom. I never even had a curfew. So naturally I grew up to be an introverted nerd kid! Heh.
Steven and Elise Keaton
Yes, definitely.
Puke! Too much lib for this tea bagger.
Thank God somebody mentioned Steven and Elise. They are my choice as well.
I would have to go with Cliff and Claire Huxtable, the Keatons are a good choice as well.
Eric and Tammy Taylor FTW!
But in close contention:
Danny Tanner, Uncle Jesse and Uncle Joey from Full House
But if we’re talking cuteness, not merit as real parents: Ross and Rachel from Friends
Considering Ross and Rachel would routinely not mention or be near their baby for weeks, I tend to agree with you.
Castle and Lorelei Gilmore.
They would be amazing together…Lauren Graham should guest on Castle as a love interest!
jonathan and martha kent , talk about understanding parents … their kids an alien! lol
Yeah, but I blame Pa Kent for Clark’s psycho obsessiveness about not telling anyone his secret. How many relationships has that screwed over?
No question: Sandy and Kirsten Cohen.
The eyebrows alone make Sandy Cohen a great father!
I’m with you, Fatima. They’re the first ones I thought of.
YES! Sandy and Kirsten are the coolest parents in recent TV history. They had an amazing house always stocked with bagels and schmear, AND they’d let you borrow the Range Rover.
And they let it go when you obviously lied about how said Range Rover got graffitied! They were also the cutest couple ever.
Kirsten and Sandy FTW! I loved them!
kirsten and sandy cohen!
YES! I was going to say them!
Also I’d love Julie as my mom
I’d like Julie as my mom just so I would’ve had a chance to look like her.
Ruth Fisher
I don’t know about a mom but I MUST have Phil Dunphy for a father!
Thurston and Lovie Howell. Old, rich and presumed dead, they would be the PERFECT parents.
OK. LOLed at this post. Oftenwish my parents were lost at sea and/or wealthy.