Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
BuzzFeed
"Dad Shows" Are The Most Comforting Kind Of TV. Here Are 3 That I Absolutely Love
By kirstenbakstran,
2024-07-16
Yes, there are, of course, all different types of dads with all different types of interests. But, if I describe a new show as a "dad show," you'll probably know exactly what I mean.
It's that type of show you just know is adored by boomer dads who record it on their DVR to enjoy late on Sunday nights (i.e., 8 p.m.).
A lot of these shows have themes and plots in common.
They're about a gutsy cop who doesn't play by the rules or a CIA agent that'll do anything to get the job done. They've got a bit of a gritty edge, but tend to avoid anything too disturbing, and they're usually a bit predictable, too. And yet, not all shows that fit those metrics are "dad shows." They need a certain X-factor (or dad-factor) that isn't always easy to pinpoint. So why do I, a millennial woman who hates cargo shorts and football, love these shows so much?
Part of it is, of course, due to my dad.
I got my love of television from him, so it makes sense that I'd love a lot of the same shows. However, I think there was another big influence from my childhood, which I worry no one has investigated yet...
The USA Network-to-dad-show pipeline. I loved all those shows when I was younger. Characters were not just welcome in my house, they were obsessed over. (You know that's right.)
I started with the funnier ones, like Monk and Psych , but eventually transitioned to the dramas. Burn Notice. White Collar. Covert Affairs . These shows fall into a genre that can only be described as dad-lite. So of course I grew to love dad shows as an adult. What else could you expect from someone who watched every episode of a series about an ex-spy named Micheal Westen? Is there a dad-ier name than that?
The other connection I found while examining my dad taste (and which will likely make dads everywhere quake) is the similarities between dad shows and reality TV.
I've always been partial to both, but during the pandemic my obsessions got a bit out of hand. I was nonstop bingeing seasons of Billions and Real Housewives in equal measure. But, really, it makes sense. Both are far enough away from real life to provide a much needed respite. They make you laugh, roll your eyes, and lean in, but they rarely make you cry or think too deeply about the realities of our world. They're silly but fun, which is what I needed at the time and also always.
Wherever my love comes from, here are three shows I'd recommend to anyone looking to embrace their inner dad.
Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency:
Our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. As a platform hosting over 100,000 pieces of content published daily, we cannot pre-vet content, but we strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation.
Comments / 0