#126: Classic Dads: Mr. Matthews (Boy Meets World)

 You’d be quick to think that the Father figure in the show is Mr. Feeny, as he offers many advice and life lessons to Cory, Topanga, Shawn, and Eric. But let’s not forget the true Dad in Boy Meets World: Alan Matthews. Mr. Matthews is the latest edition to our classic Dads for his ability to embarrass his three kids, play a behind the scenes role, and part upon wisdom when needed.

Mr. Matthews had to balance Eric’s girl crazy mannerisms while trying to maintain Cory & Topanga’s whimsical growing love. He then struggled with his youngest, Morgan, as he was just used to raising boys, a classic Dad move. Let’s not forget his fatherly doings to Shawn…before Shawn moved in with Mr. Turner.

Let us not forget that all this fatherly advice, care-taking and raising was done while being a manager at the local supermarket. It wasn’t the most glamorous of jobs and he definitely passed the lesson of money along to his sons. Even when he made the mistake of quitting his job without notifying his family, he made a Dad adjustment and found a new job as the owner of an Outdoor & Sporting Goods store. 

Although they lived in Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love, we shouldn’t be quick to forget the effect that Mr. Matthews had on Cory & Eric. Because without Alan’s Dad-ness, Cory & Eric may not have been getting into as many hi-jinx. And we hope Cory is just as good of a Dad for his daughter in Girl Meets World. 

 

#82: Classic Dad: Bob Saget

Yes, Full House is still known as the show that introduced us to Mary-Kate and Ashley. But those two girls wouldn’t be anything if it wasn’t for Danny Tanner leading the way. You can’t get more Dad than being a single Dad raising three girls in DJ, Stephanie, and Michelle. He cared for those girls more than life itself, always offering Dad wisdom and wrapping up each episode with a Dad hug. But like a true Dad, he knew he couldn’t raise his kids alone, so he brought in Uncle Jesse and childhood friend Joey to help. 3 semi-Dads working to embarrass you on a weekly basis through failed birthday parties, videotaping your recitals, wearing costumes, and a general Dadness of thinking you’re hip when you’re really not.

Danny’s biggest Dad feature is his obsession with cleaning. When not Waking Up, San Francisco, or raising his three girls and kicking Kimmy Gibbler through the back door, you can find Danny scrubbing and cleaning with yellow gloves in hand. A true Dad knows germs are just a cough away from infection for his children.

Bob Saget continued his Dad-ness by making every household in America laugh in hosting America’s Funniest Home Videos. Take a seat Tom Bergeron because Bob Saget is the king at Home Videos. What kid wasn’t wishing their failure would lead to a chance at the $100,000 grand prize? Bob Saget made it seem like anyone could win, and all families had that special something with his voice-overs of grandma dancing or your pet parakeet.

Bob Saget today may be known for his crude humor and playing himself on Entourage, but he is also continuing his Dad nature by playing narrator Ted Mosby in How I Met Your Mother. In the classic Dad role of telling stories to your kids, Bob Saget has thrived off telling a story that has lasted 7 seasons and counting.

So from all of us here at TSD, we salute you Bob…and your never ending Dadness.

#77 Classic Dad: Philip Banks

Mr. Banks has all the striking features of a Dad: a gut that hangs out over his belt, sweaters, a briefcase, and three well-behaved kids. What makes Mr. Banks a classic Dad is that he is able to act as a Dad to even his nephew.

Despite being technically Will’s uncle, Mr. Banks treats Will as his own son. When he’s not caring for Hilary, Carlton, and Ashley, Mr. Banks is containing his anger at Will’s goofy behavior. Those long deathly stares and ability to hit unknown decibels of sound with a single yell is what puts Mr. Banks in a class of his own when it comes to Dads. And when he’s not yelling at Will, he’s busy throwing Jazzy Jeff out of the house…showing true Dad strength. Through it all, Mr. Banks knows in true Dad fashion that Vivian owns the house. Despite being a successful lawyer in Beverly Hills, he knows not to cross mom.

Mr. Banks does have a soft side, making sure Will has a bright future, caring for Geoffrey as one of the family, and protecting the family against anyone that besmirches the Banks name.

So we salute your Mr. Banks, not only for being such a funny “Uncle Phil,” but realizing that being a Dad extends to more than just your biological children. And if a couple of guys who were up to no good, start making trouble in the neighborhood, we hope our mom gets scared and tells us that we going to live with you in Bel-Air.