Dad TV Is for Everyone Now

As a seasoned observer of the ever-evolving landscape of television, I find myself deeply moved by the emergence of two distinct yet intertwined portrayals of fatherhood in today’s small screen offerings – the Neo-Dad and the Aggrieved Dad. Having raised my own brood through the tumultuous waters of life, I can relate to the complexities and contradictions that these characters embody.

Traditional depictions of Dad TV are straightforward and tangible – shows watched by fathers, often centered around male characters navigating their lives in a problem-solving capacity. These problems can range from solving crimes within an hour to more abstract issues like national identity, where effective resolution might involve eloquent speeches rather than detective work. In the procedural dad TV genre, shows like NCIS, JAG, Blue Bloods, and SWAT fall under this category, but not Law & Order due to its emphasis on moral complexity and open-ended conclusions. Shows like The West Wing or Star Trek: The Next Generation also fit into this mold as they feature a father figure who consistently resolves problems for his family in different genres, taking pride in their accomplishments when they solve issues independently.

The traditional portrayal of ‘Dad TV’ is based on the idea of a particular viewer (often a dad) and centers around a set of values that this audience identifies with. Key themes in Dad TV include competence, problem-solving, efficiency, trust in societal institutions, and the belief that compelling drama emerges from mending what’s broken. However, a narrow reading of the ‘Dad TV charter’ seems insufficient for 2024: It is no longer exclusive to dads or even men. According to Nielsen streaming statistics, the show Bad Monkey has an equal number of male and female viewers, while Shrinking boasts more female viewers than male. Surprisingly, TikTok, not traditionally associated with a large dad user base, houses a passionate community of fans for the show Criminal Minds. As Dad TV has expanded across various platforms, its audience has grown significantly, leading to the evolution of a broadened Dad+ TV genre in the streaming era.

Today, defining Dad TV can be a bit intricate due to its evolving nature. Essentially, it’s about portraying competent characters on TV, who excel at their tasks and demonstrate this through detailed, meticulous depictions of processes. These characters often embody trust in institutions that establish order and maintain functionality. Shows like Reacher, The Night Agent, Jack Ryan, Tokyo Vice, FUBAR, and The Terminal List are examples, as they involve some form of “the government,” “justice,” or “the status quo” that the protagonists aim to uphold or restore. However, these characters’ dedication to social order can lead to a gray area in their own actions, often involving rule-breaking to correct past mistakes and reestablish order in the right way. These rule-breakers could be anyone, but they are typically individuals who unquestioningly trust the system, so when they have doubts, it’s seen as significant.

In the world of Dad+ TV, traditional gender roles are no longer an obstacle for being a Dad, as demonstrated by shows like “Julia,” which chronicles Julia Child’s journey from housewife to culinary icon. Despite their seemingly disparate themes – one showcasing physical confrontation and the other focusing on cooking – both stories revolve around strong-willed individuals who see a need in the world and are determined to fill it.

There’s Dad TV in some form or another on every streaming outlet, but the locus of contemporary streaming dadness is Apple TV+. In Dad+ TV, the stories unfold over the kind of long-season arc that tends to define a streaming season, rather than the rhythms of procedural, episodic problem solving. But the goals remain the same. The easiest show to point to is Ted Lasso, a towering monument to the importance of doing your best at work and in life with its ambitions stretched over the slower-burn development of multiple years of personal growth, rather than a game-by-game chart of wins and losses.

Ever since its debut, Apple has consistently delivered top-notch programming that resonates with the core principles of this genre, both in its traditional and modern interpretations. As a fan, I’ve noticed shows featuring charismatic male leads that intertwine with common fatherly concerns, such as See, Manhunt, and Masters of the Air. Among these, Hijack stands out as Apple’s crowning achievement in this domain. In this gripping series, a dedicated father, portrayed brilliantly by Idris Elba, finds himself in a race-against-time scenario to thwart an intricate plane hijacking plot. He relies on his intelligence, bravery, and the perfect blend of emotional sensitivity and physical strength to overcome the odds.

Apple TV+ truly excels in the Neo-Dad genre. It started with “For All Mankind,” a series that takes a fresh perspective on space exploration, exploring it through an alternate history where women play pivotal roles in technology and innovation. Apple also offers “Lessons in Chemistry,” a show that emphasizes Women in STEM, much like the classic show “Julia.” The Neo-Dad genre is further represented by shows like “Slow Horses,” which challenges traditional ideas about masculinity and strength, and “Sugar” and “Presumed Innocent,” both featuring flawed but well-intentioned male characters. Other shows such as “Foundation,” “Shrinking,” and “Black Bird” delve into the complexities of fatherhood, humanity, and redemption. The epitome of this genre on Apple TV+ is “Silo,” a sci-fi adaptation where a heroic protagonist played by Rebecca Ferguson navigates a mysterious and corrupt system in her pursuit of truth.

In contrast to the current landscape, we find a recurring theme in shows like “Yellowstone” and those by Taylor Sheridan, which portray fathers standing victorious on empires they’ve fought to construct, yet foreseeing a future bleaker than their past. These series have roots in predecessors such as “Last Man Standing,” a comedic take on a man frustrated by his family’s failure to meet his political and cultural standards. The portrayed fathers are disillusioned with the world, no longer trusting that the next generation will be as content and successful as the last. While competence and process remain important, these characters feel betrayed by their children and the world they’ve inherited; they are fighting a system intent on destroying everything they’ve built. These series exhibit a sense of weariness and nihilism, with notable examples including shows led by Jeff Daniels (“American Rust” and “A Man in Full”), “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” and perhaps most significantly in the earlier years, “Breaking Bad” and “The Sopranos.” Unlike their counterparts from two decades ago, these modern Aggrieved Dads often lack the self-questioning nature of their predecessors. For instance, while “Breaking Bad” delves into one man’s wrath and dark ambition, it continuously explores whether these traits should be admired or condemned. In contrast, “Yellowstone” presents a less introspective image, featuring Kevin Costner contemplating the mountain ranges, pondering where he went wrong.

The surge in popularity of the character “Aggrieved Dad,” particularly within the Taylor Sheridan universe, serves as a powerful testament to why traditional father-centric TV shows continue to captivate audiences. Both characters represent distinct perspectives stemming from shared apprehensions and aspirations about society. The more optimistic Dad TV portrays an idealized vision of humanity, emphasizing what truly matters in life. It presents a system where individual rule-breaking coexists harmoniously with the belief in a functioning social structure that benefits all. Ultimately, it offers a comforting assurance that everything will turn out alright. Despite its optimistic nature, it can sometimes overlook reality and may be as dependable as the unexpected home repair or car maintenance advice your father might offer during dinner while casually asking if you’ve recently changed the battery in your key-fob. (Just a friendly reminder – have you?)

2024-09-26 17:54

Dad TV Is for Everyone Now

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