TV's most underrated dad.

We've all got our 'favorite' dad from a TV show. I'm sure right now that a lot of people are actually visualizing their favorite "Father-figure" from TV now. But, there's one father that I'm constantly surprised never seems to make the list of TV dads. I don't know if it's due to the fact that he was written off the show (Ironically being the one of the first Sit-com dad to be officially "Killed" while off camera) because of interviews regarding the show's direction that he gave backstage. Maybe it's because of the timing that the show came out. Maybe most people underrate this TV father figure because he wasn't anything special compared to your 'average' father at the time. Or maybe, just maybe it could be a racial thing. Either way you look at it, this is possibly one of TV's most underrated father figures, and in some opinions still the most underrated TV star.

Now, what actually IS a TV dad? Well, it's basically any "Dad" on the show that has a main character. This includes his own story lines, and an ever present character. Most of them are "dream" fathers, that never spank, hardly ever raise their voice, and almost never seem to struggle for the right answers to lives problems. Most of us can remember the following fathers from TV shows.

Ward Cleaver from "Leave it to Beaver" played by Hugh Beaumont.

Steve Douglas from "My Three Sons" played by Fred MacMurray.

James Anderson from "Father Knows Best" played by Robert Young.

Sheriff Andy Taylor on "The Andy Griffith Show" played by Andy Griffith.

Ben Cartwright from "Bonanza" played by Loren Greene.

Dr. Heathcliff 'Cliff' Huxtable from "The Cosby Show" played by Bill Cosby

Fred G Sanford from "Sanford and Son" played by Redd Foxx.

While all of these fathers had advice to spare, and mostly went through live fixing problems for their kids on a weekly basis. They are mostly known for being caring and loving fathers that just assumed their kids to do right all the time. But none of them really had the "Father figure" aspect to them that created a real person that you could believe as a dad facing the world and growing kids. Even Ben Cartwright's cowboy image always seemed to be soften by his soft spoken approach to a problem. There was just one "TV Dad" in my opinion that actually had everything in one package.

James Evans from "Good Times" played by John Amos.

What makes James the perfect "TV Dad"? Well, several things. First off, unlike TV shows of the time, there were two parents. A father, and a mother (Florida Evans played by Esther Rolle) that had no problem showing their love and affection on screen. Sure, censorship had eased up by the time "Good Times" was aired, but these two had no problem showing how much they loved each other, even years after being married and having three children.

Another thing that stands out. Being a father of three, he knew the importance of being able to tell when someone was taking advantage of his family. As seen here when a Blind salesman (Ron Glass) is conning them out of money with an Encyclopedia scam.

While it was true that there was no doubt about the love in the family, James Evan did something that was rarely spoken of, and even less shown on TV. He actually ENFORCED the rules. His children knew there wasn't any way to disobey the rules without paying the price for it. (Yes, James Evans was a guy that spanked.) In this clip, "Eddie" is a child the Evans are taking care of for the weekend. *As as the old saying of "My Roof, My Rules" clearly applies. Under the Evans' roof, you study while you are in school.

Here's the thing about James Evans that makes him possibly one of the most underrated fathers. He has three children and he's constantly looking out for each one. Even though there is little doubt that he was strict and laid down the law when it was needed, he also expected everyone that effected his children had to treat them with kindness and respect. In this clip, College Proffesor (Philip Michael Thomas) has been seeing daughter Thelma. When it's learned that "Sex" is something that has been talked about during those dates, "Father" James reacts to protect his daughters virtue and honor. (Spanish Subtitles)

While constantly on the look out for people taking advantage of him or his family, and constantly being on the look out for anything that will bring the family good fortune, James Evans was also constantly aware that his children had dreams and hopes to better their situations and their lives. He was even willing to let some chance of 'luck' pass over him, if he knew that it might be passed on to his children and their dreams. Here, "Black Jesus" painting was done by J.J (James, Jr played by Jimmie Walker) and has been bringing the family good luck since being put on the wall. But if it would give J.J a chance at winning an art contest, he's willing to let the 'luck' of getting a good job pass over the father, and pass onto the son.

However, James knew all along that he had a good life. A wife that loved him, children he could be proud of. Even if money was low, or sometimes non-existent, James Evans knew exactly the trap-falls and holes that people could fall into that will only lead them down a road of hardships and worse. Here, James confronts "old friend" Ernie about stealing some salt/pepper shakers to pay off a gambling debt.

Here's why I personally think that John Amos was the best TV dad ever. Even when he's ready to punish his children for doing something wrong, he still explains why the rules are what they are. And, if the child was able to justify his stance, or actions, he was big enough to let the children know that they were right. Here, Michael (The youngest child, played by Ralph Carter) is suspended from school for not apologizing to a teacher over Michael's comment about George Washington.

I've always loved James Evans from "Good Times" for several reasons. I still think that John Amos is one of America's best actors, and his character was someone that could be believed as a 'real person' that faced 'real situations'. Sure, the show itself was a comedy, and they always had an 'happy ending' to the episodes. But as far as fathers go, John Amos is always forgotten about. To me, this is the best TV Dad because he's a REAL dad. Also reminds me of my dad. Michael's school project on "People I admire the most"