Most folks who know me are aware that I love a number of 'old-school' sitcoms. I loved them growing up and I love them now. But I've discovered that I love these classics in a whole new way.
You see, when I was a kid I watched a show that involved a family and I viewed it from a kid's perspective. I put myself in the shoes of the child, more specifically I guess I identified with any older brother character. I saw myself as Willis Jackson, Wally Cleaver, Alex Keaton, Mike Seaver, etc.
Now I sit down and watch these shows with my kids (I've got my daughter hooked on some classic tv sitcoms...I'm proud to say she can sing the lyrics to The Facts of Life--can you believe they don't teach this stuff in kindergarten?), but from a whole new perspective. I've got my eye on the parents. Especially the dads.
So to the television fathers of yesteryear---Mr. Drummond, Ward Cleaver, Steven Keaton, Jason Seaver, Howard Cunningham, I tip my cap to you! You're the reason I love sitcoms now. Your words of wisdom, your response to the mischief and trouble stirred up by your television children, your wit and occasional corny sense of humor... Simply put, you're my sitcom heroes.
