Sitcoms hit a peak in the 80s and 90s—and most Millennials can claim that they 'grew up' with them. A lot of time it was the father figures in these TV shows who proved to be standout characters, but one dad captured Millennials hearts over all the rest: Uncle Phil, played by actor James Avery in Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Uncle Phil was deemed the best sitcom dad by Millennials, and he earned the title from one of his show's most impactful scenes from the episode "Papa's Got a Brand New Excuse" that aired in May 1994.
In it, Will (played by actor Will Smith) spends time with his dad Lou, who has been absent for the past 14 years. Uncle Phil is distrustful of Lou and protective over his nephew Will. So when Lou decides to dip out on a trip he planned with Will, Uncle Phil steps into Will's pain and supports him. It plays out as one of the most emotional scenes Millennials can remember–making Uncle Phil the best TV dad in their eyes.
"Damn that episode with Will's dad leaving him again. 'How come he don’t want me'? And uncle Phil just holds him ; nothing else is needed. Still cry at that episode," one person commented.
Another added, "I teared up just reading it. That episode gets me bawling every time. 😭"
Another commenter wrote, "No matter what stage in life you watch that episode, guaranteed it will hit you different. First watched it as a teen when it aired and it doesn’t get any easier whenever you’re grown with your own children and understand why Uncle Phil was a legend."
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One commenter shared more context behind why the scene was so powerful. "Especially after you learn that halfway through Will’s lines he gets emotional and goes off script. So when you hear him cry and say 'How come he don’t want me man' James Avery is also legit about to cry, stands there stunned for a second bc he knew what was happening, and as a man (not as an actor) the only thing he thought to do was reach out and hug Will. Those were real tears and emotions from Will’s trauma and that was a genuine man-to-man hug."
But that was not the only scene that stuck with Millennial viewers. Another shared, "Or the series finale. 'You are my son, Will. End of story.'" And another added, "As a dude that grew up without a dad, that episode hit hard."
Malcolm in the Middle logo.Wikipedia
Other sitcom dads also got honorable mentions. "Hal (from Malcolm in the Middle, played by actor Bryan Cranston)," one wrote. Another added, "I have to admit it took me a bit of time to get used to watching him in Breaking Bad cuz I only knew him as that goofy ass dad from MITM."
Boy Meets World logo.Wikipedia
Another favorite: "Alan Matthews from Boy Meets World (played by actor William Russ) was always a favorite of mine. Sometimes he lost his temper or jumped to conclusions. But he always owned up to it and tried to make it right," one wrote. Another shared another heart wrenching scene from the show that solidified his spot as a top TV sitcom dad. "One of these rewatches I'm going to remember to keep a tally of all the times he made sure Shawn knew he was family. My favorite is at the hospital, because it's such a tiny moment but his kid is in the ICU, his wife is not doing well, he's probably going through hell, but even with all that going on, as Shawn is following Cory and Topanga to meet the baby and a hospital worker almost stops Shawn, Alan says, 'he's family'."
Family Matters cast.Wikipedia
Finally, Carl Winslow from Family Matters (played by actor Reginald VelJohnson) is another standout. "Uncle Phil and Carl Winslow were the real ones who would stick out their necks for their families. Don’t remember any of the other tv dads doing as much for their families," one wrote.
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