It's been a long time since I initiated a meaningless pop-culture debate. Today I'd like to know who you consider TV's greatest head of household. The two finalists are:
Phillip Drummond, played by Conrad Bain
Pros: Yeah, he was a champion of racial harmony, but what really counts is his money — Fuck You Money. Unlike a certain real-life New York real estate mogul, Drummond never walked around with a ferret on his head. Kids who grow up in such a privileged NYC environment typically wind up blowing a lot of money, doing drugs, getting arrested and dabbling in porn. Not so with Arnold, Willis and Kimberly. You know, like on the show.
Cons: He overachieved to get Maggie McKinney, but considering his 9-inch wallet and the dork kid she brought with her, he could have done better. God knows why there weren't more strippers running around the joint. What's the point of having all that money if you're not gonna spend it correctly? And I don't know how the Gooch managed to be a pain in Arnold's ass for so long. If you can afford a full-time limo driver, you can afford to break an 10-year-old's kneecaps.
• Diff'rent Strokes Online
• Jump the Shark: Diff'rent Strokes
George Jefferson, played by Sherman Helmsley
Pros: Was a champion boxer in the Navy, and being able to kick someone's ass is a vital skill when your wife is as ugly as Weezy. While not quite as loaded as Drummond, Jefferson did well for himself by overcoming such obstacles as living next to Archie Bunker and running a dry cleaning business in New York without a single Asian employee. And even though he took a lot of shit from Florence, he was still the one writing the checks, not cashing them for cleaning the toilet. (Especially after Weezy. Jesus.) Huge ups for the strut, too.
Cons: You mean besides Weezy? Well, his pad was a little small for a guy with a live-in maid. But other than that, not much. And I guess he wasn't a great tipper. A door slam in the face doesn't buy much on the street.
• Is Sherman Helmsley a Rip-Off Artist?
• Jump the Shark: The Jeffersons
The Worst Head of Household: Bonnie Franklin as Ann Romano, of course.
My vote goes to George Jefferson. Drummond was just an idiot.
Posted by PeeWee at April 5, 2004 7:56 PMWhat about Mr. Cunningham, Mike Brady, Shirley Partridge, Archie Bunker or Al Bundy?