Daddy Dearest
''Daddy Dearest'' may refer to:- ''Daddy Dearest'' (American TV series), a 1993 American television situation comedy starring Richard Lewis and Don Rickles)
- ''Daddy Dearest'' (2016 TV series), a Hong Kong comedy television drama produced by TVB)
- Daddy Dearest, the main antagonist in the rhythm game ''Friday Night Funkin'' '[1]
- Daddy Dearest (Ghost Rider), a comic figure in the ''Ghost Rider 2099'' series[2]
- ''Daddy Dearest'' (film), a 1984 American adult film directed by Arthur J. Bressan Jr.[3]
- "Daddy Dearest" (Mr. Lif song), a 2002 track from the EP ''I Phantom''
- "Daddy Dearest" (Dogwood song), a 1997 track from the album ''Through Thick & Thin''
- "Daddy Dearest" (King Cobra song), a track by the band King Cobra[4]
Television series
1993 American sitcom
Daddy Dearest is an American sitcom that premiered on Fox, centering on the comedic clashes between a single father and his irascible parent. The series follows Steven Mitchell, a divorced psychologist raising his young son Danny, whose life is upended when his abrasive father Al, a used car salesman, moves in after separating from his wife Helen following Al's loss of their life savings.[5] The show derives humor from generational conflicts, Al's caustic insults, and Steven's futile attempts to maintain order in his household.[6] The main cast features Don Rickles as the domineering Al Mitchell, whose sharp-tongued persona drives much of the comedy; Richard Lewis as the exasperated Steven Mitchell, who also co-created and co-executive produced the series; and Renée Taylor as the exasperated Helen Mitchell, Al's separated wife. Supporting roles include Sydney Walsh as Christine, Steven's love interest; Alice Carter as Lisa; Carey Eidel as Larry Mitchell, Steven's brother; and Barney Martin as Pete Peters, a family friend. Young Danny was portrayed by Jonathan Gibby in the pilot and Jeffrey Bomberger thereafter.[5][7] Created by Billy Van Zandt, Jane Milmore, Richard Lewis, and Richard Dimitri, the sitcom was executive produced by Van Zandt, Milmore, and Howard Klein, with Lewis serving as co-executive producer. Produced in a traditional multi-camera format by Van Zandt/Milmore Productions and 3 Arts Entertainment, it aired Sundays at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT from September 5 to December 5, 1993, for a single season of 10 episodes, though 11 were produced (one remaining unaired).[5][8] The season explores ongoing family tensions through episodic humor rooted in Al's overbearing nature and Steven's neuroses. Below is an overview of the aired episodes:| Episode | Title | Air Date | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot | Sep 5, 1993 | Al moves in with Steven after his separation from Helen, immediately disrupting the household with his bombastic personality.[9] |
| 2 | Raging Bully | Sep 12, 1993 | Steven objects to Al's tough-love advice for Danny dealing with a school bully.[9] |
| 3 | Private Lives | Sep 19, 1993 | Al invades Steven's privacy, prompting Steven to seek advice from Christine.[9] |
| 4 | Al vs. DMV | Sep 26, 1993 | Al clashes with a stern DMV clerk (guest star Kaye Ballard) while renewing his license.[9] |
| 5 | You Bet Your Life | Oct 3, 1993 | Al's big casino win in Atlantic City draws unwanted attention from a mobster's girlfriend.[9] |
| 6 | Mother Love | Oct 10, 1993 | Guest star Angie Dickinson appears as Christine's mother, who flirts aggressively with Steven.[9] |
| 7 | Mount St. Helen's | Oct 17, 1993 | Family dynamics erupt when Helen visits, highlighting Al and Steven's strained relationship.[10] |
| 8 | The Tortoise and the Scare | Oct 24, 1993 | Al's schemes lead to comedic mishaps involving neighborhood fears and family secrets.[10] |
| 9 | American We | Nov 7, 1993 | Al and Steven land in jail after Steven confronts a suspected robber.[9] |
| 10 | Thanks, But No Thanks | Dec 5, 1993 | Holiday tensions peak as Al's overinvolvement in family plans causes chaos.[10] |