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Decarceration's avatar

Did you ever write anything on "Crime Story"? That seemed like a Dad Show par excellence, complete with Dad Legend Dennis Farina in the lead.

Fromtheyardtothearthouse.substack.com

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Liam Mathews's avatar

That is an excellent Dad Show Classic suggestion, thank you. Dennis Farina is a true Dad icon.

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Sean Roche's avatar

Ok - as a “retro dad” on here - proud of it - I do love this thread. But some of the current “dad” shows out there miss the point for some of us “dads.” Simplicity and purity somehow got lost as the “Dad Show” hit subscriber platforms/longform storylines? - The “Original Dad Shows” and precursors of todays series were created via 80’s/90’s network cheez tv. Nothing is more old-school-dad than “The Black Sheep Squadron” - “Magnum P.I. - even The original “Man From Uncle” —- Just curious as to what elements/motifs… have been passed on for viewers who do retro and do current streaming. - So… “current dad shows” VS some”classics” might be a fun - or not. Always up for looking at the medium short term and long form in order to gain insight.

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Liam Mathews's avatar

I have never even heard of The Black Sheep Squadron. Incredible deep cut. Maybe some type of Steven J. Cannell career retrospective is in order? He created a whole branch of the family tree with The Rockford Files. We could trace the lineage back to Columbo. You've got me thinking of a few ideas, Sean. Thanks for the comment.

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Cory Barker's avatar

Your penultimate paragraph ruined my "joke": sports are my favorite dad show! Also, the news! Folks,

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jeffkahrs's avatar

All time Favorite - Deadwood

Current - For All Mankind

On right now - Bad Monkey

HM- Burn Notice

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Liam Mathews's avatar

Deadwood is an all-timer for sure. I actually went to Deadwood once for a screening of the movie. I had a great time. It's an interesting place. They kept the spirit of the old Deadwood alive by adding casinos.

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Jason Allison | A Second Act's avatar

I’m shocked at how much I’ve enjoyed Bad Monkey, based on the Carl Hiassen novel. It’s wacky and the plot…ranges some, but the actors all know what show they’re in and it looks great.

Also, does Slow Horses count? As I type that, is Apple a Dad TV Safeplace?

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Liam Mathews's avatar

I've been reviewing Bad Monkey every week over at Episodic Medium. I really enjoy that show. It's a little shaggy, but it's so much fun. Nobody does it like Vince Vaughn.

Slow Horses definitely counts. I am ashamed to admit, however, that I watched a couple episodes in Season 1 and have not gone back to it. I was really hoping to write about it this season, because it's kind of the prime Dad Show of the moment, but I just haven't had time to catch up. I'm a little derelict in my duty. And yeah, Apple TV+ is definitely the Dad Streaming Service. It's a toss-up between it and Amazon. I've been considering doing a Dad Streamers ranking at some point. I think that could be fun.

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Jason Allison | A Second Act's avatar

Amazon>Apple>…Paramount?>Max?

Peacock and Criterion in a knife fight for dead last.

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Liam Mathews's avatar

Peacock is the exclusive streaming home of Yellowstone, though. And it has a lot of sports. So I don't know, I'd have to crunch the numbers. Criterion definitely last, though, haha.

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Jason Allison | A Second Act's avatar

Peacock has a stronger presence in my house for being THE home for all things Bravo.

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Liam Mathews's avatar

That's a great point. Even if a streaming service has Dad Shows, what it's most known for has to be taken into account.

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