TV's Favorite Parents

Closer celebrates the fictional moms and dads who inspired generations of TV viewers

THE BRADY BUNCH

Mike and Carol Brady (Robert Reed and Florence Henderson) made raising TV's first blended family look easy. My kids used to say, 'Why don't you ever shout at them?' Florence said. Some of their best advice was about empathy: You shouldn't put down a loser, Cindy, because you might be one yourself someday, Carol told her youngest. Remember that.

Fun Fact:

The success of the 1968 film Yours, Mine and Ours, starring Lucille Ball and Henry Fonda, helped the Bradys get on the air.

I LOVE LUCY

From the start, Lucy and Ricky Ricardo (Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball) encouraged their only child to reach for the stars. I really enjoyed my last years on the show, Keith Thibodeaux, who played Little Ricky, tells Closer. I was able to play the drums and use my natural talents. Lucy and Ricky eventually enrolled their offspring in a music school, where he formed his own group, Ricky Ricardo and the Dixieland Band. He went on to play the lead in his school pageant and the conga drums with Dad!

LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE

Their lives anchored in faith and family, Charles and Caroline Ingalls (Michael Landon and Karen Grassle) weathered many hardships, including daughter Mary (Melissa Sue Anderson) going blind. Things happen in families. Everybody doesn't get well, said Michael. There isn't always going to be a miracle. But they endured it all together.

HAPPY DAYS