Hollywood "Standard" Formula

My daughter watches the Disney shows (sit-coms) that revolve around family. Some of you may know the ones I am referring to; 'Dog with a Blog', 'Good Luck Charlie', 'Girl meets World', etc…

They all are based of the same formula/stereotypes. All of them require the following; three kids, sometimes more or less with a best friend extra that is always hanging around, but three is what is needed to for the basic formula in having a dumb one, a smart one and a weird one. This formula bleeds past the Disney gates and can be seen in many primetime sit-coms as well (see Home Improvement, Family Ties, Modern Family, Full House, etc.). Next you have to add in the mother figure, she has to have no cooking skills, complain about the cleanliness of an immaculate kept house, and always be dressed flawlessly in the latest greatest designs. I say mother figure because of the shows Full House and The Nanny. Are following me so far?

Now we come to the stereotype that bothers me the most….The Dad.

To be a sit-com dad, you have to be stupid, boring, and don't get enough sex. He will work a boring job like sales, handyman, or psychologist.  The wife is always much smarter than him, even in the Cosby Show this was done. He is clueless on how to do anything around the house or how to take care of kids, especially if left alone with them. And he needs a never ending supply of jokes about how he never gets enough sex.

As a father, I do not consider myself dense, I enjoy spending time with my kids and know how to take care of them, have fun with them, and can do work around the house.

By the way this formula can also be used in other sit-coms, think about the components and apply them to shows like Friends, (Example; Smart- Chandler and Monica, Dumb- Rachel and Joey, Weird- Ross and Pheobe), Seinfield, How I Met Your Mother, Big Bang Theory, and Two and a Half Men.

As a bonus, you can toss in that quirky neighbor/relative as a source of peripheral entertainment. (See Bewitched, Simpsons, Everyone loves Raymond, and of course the shows I previously mentioned above and more)

Sorry if I have ruined the way you watch television, but at least you have something to think about and watch for.

Shakespeare was right….