Five Black Father Moments

in Pop Culture

Thursday Jun 14, 2012 – by Stacia L. Brown

Fathers Week continues here at Clutch as we take a look at some of our favorite representations of black dads in TV and internet media. From Bernie Mac to James Evans, there’s plenty here to make you smile and/or reminisce.

Take a peek:

1. The Bernie Mac Show: Bernie’s “Real” Dad

The Bernie Mac Show remains one of the most underrated black sitcoms of all time. Its ability to mine serious family issues for comedy was second to none, and its rendering of those dramatic moments was believable and thought-provoking. One of the earliest and best examples of this blend is the multi-part episode where Bernie returns to his native Chicago with wife, Wanda, and his nieces and nephew, to attend the funeral of his “uncle.” Not only does he step in to father his rebellious, resistant eldest niece, Vanessa, whose old friends jump her while she’s off looking for her crack-addicted mother, but he also gets the shock of his life when he discovers his beloved deceased uncle was his biological father.

2. The Cosby Show: “I’ll Ride a Motorbiiiike.”/”I Brought You Into This World…”

In the very first episode of The Cosby Show, Bill Cosby establishes himself as the quintessential black father by first giving his son, Theo, a lesson in money management for non-college attendees, then telling him his heartfelt speech about being an average achiever was “the dumbest thing I ever heard before in my LIFE.” Cosby would go on to have countless great black father moments during the course of the show, but this one would remain in the top ten.

3. Daddy-Daughter Dance: Wedding Edition

When Ashley Richmond got married last year, her wedding reception daddy-daughter dance made national headlines and the video went viral, as she and her dad, David Sparks, cut a choreographed run to everything from The Temptations to the Jackson 5 to the GS Boys to Beyonce.

4. Good Times: James Freaks Out About Thelma Growing Up

When Thelma brings home an older man (Philip Michael Thomas), James is full of rage–especially when he finds out he’s interviewed Thelma for his college thesis, “Sexual Behavior in the Ghetto.” It’s a pretty cool moment.

5. Will and Uncle Phil

GO HERE TO VIEW "WILL AND UNCLE PHIL"

The “How come he don’t want me, man?” is widely regarded as one of the best moments in the history of the hit ’90s sitcom, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. It showcased some of Will Smith’s earliest effective dramatic acting, and highlighted a situation that resonated with many viewers: absenteeism.

What’s your favorite black dad moment in film, TV, or other media?