My Dad On TV

"The lessons I learned from my T.V. dads were golden. And regardless of how old I get, my memories of them will never tarnish. "

By Jordan Monroe

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Youth Radio's Jordan Monroe grew up with a few dads...virtual ones. Because his own father was absent from the homefront, Jordan looked to male role models on television for guidance when he was a young man. Now that Jordan's a father, he catches himself acting like his TV dads and, as Fathers Day approaches, thanks them for the lessons they taught him about relationships and responsibility.

When I was growing up, my father wasn't my father figure. I found my father figure in the same place many other American role models and heroes are found, the television. And anytime I wanted to spend some quality time with pops, I just went to the living room and turned on the tube.

It wasn’t until recently that I realized how much influence TV had on my life. I guess you don’t really think about your ideas of parenting until you become a parent yourself.

Growing up in the 80’s and 90’s, there were a lot of black sitcoms. I remember watching shows like Rock, Moesha, Family Matters, Cosby Show, and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air almost everyday.

All these shows had a positive, loving, and responsible father. Rock was a garbage man, but regardless of his occupation, he was still proud and carried himself respectfully. Cliff Huxtable was a doctor. Uncle Phil from the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was a Judge. These T.V. dads showed me it was possible for me to become a business owner, lawyer or doctor.

Those shows with T.V. dads, they weren’t just about entertainment for me, although they were very funny. Through my young eyes, the lives of the characters seemed as real as my own. One particular episode stands out from the show “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.”

The main character, Will, was having problems with the fact that his dad was not a part of his life. After arguing with his uncle and telling him he wasn’t his real father, Will realized that Uncle Phil personified all the things a father was supposed to be.

At that moment I knew Will and I were alike, and together we both learned a valuable lesson. We both felt a frustration because our fathers were not in our lives. And just like Uncle Phil wasn’t Will’s real father, these T.V. dads weren’t mine. But we understood fatherly advice and support can come from other people and other sources.

UNCLE PHIL (on tape) So young man, how'd it go at school today? Will: I joined the poetry club.
Uncle Phil: Excellent! I remember when I first got interested in poetry – so who’s the girl?

Unfortunately, all of those shows from those days have been canceled, as most shows are. And I don’t watch as much TV as I did when I was younger. But I wonder, does television have as much influence on today’s youngsters as it had on me? With the cancellation of one sitcom then another then another, my T.V. dads passed away one by one. When the Fresh Prince was cancelled, yeah, I may have shed a tear or two.

When I interact with my daughter I occasionally catch myself speaking with the firmness of Uncle Phil, reacting with the humor of Cliff Huxtable and when I come home after a long days work, feeling the pride of Rock.

The lessons I learned from my T.V. dads, they were golden. And regardless of how old I get, my memories of them will never tarnish. So I would like to take the time and say to Cliff Huxtable and Uncle Phil, as well as all of the rest of my T.V. dads, happy Father’s Day from your son, Jordan.