TV still provides some of the best role models as fathers in entertainment. Bonanza’s Ben Cartwright, The Waltons’ John Walton Sr., Little House on the Prairie’s Charles Ingalls, The Andy Griffith Show’s Andy Taylor are still popular on TV, even after many decades. TV shows and series with honorable role models and values have longevity.
One of the best role models as a father and grandfather for the past eight seasons has been Blue Blood’s Frank Reagan. Like Bonanza, The Waltons, Little House on the Prairie, The Andy Griffith Show, Blue Bloods demonstrates that TV series with honorable values have staying and earning power. Most importantly, they have a lasting good influence on our culture.
Bonanza TV Show Original Poster Circa 1959.
Blue Bloods, which started in 2010, is now in it eighth season as a series about a multi-generational family in law enforcement in New York City. The situations are contemporary, complex, and gripping; but there is no salacious language and the family struggles for the most part to serve in ways that are honorable, legally right, and caring.
The acting is outstanding in this series in which Tom Selleck stars as Frank Reagan, the New York Police Commissioner, and patriarch of the Reagan clan of cops. Frank’s oldest son is Danny, played by Donnie Wahlberg, is a seasoned detective and Iraqi War veteran who cares for his family and those he serves in the community. Daughter Erin, performed by Bridget Moynahan, is an assistant district attorney. Jamie, played by Will Estes, is the youngest son who gave up a future in law to continue the family’s tradition in police work.
Andy Griffith TV Show Poster Circa 1960
In Blue Bloods, Frank (Tom Selleck), the Police Commissioner and son of former PC Henry Reagan, works to balance running the largest police force in the world and being a good father and grandfather. Under his leadership, NYC is kept safe, as the family passionately defends their city from harm. This Irish-American family displays ongoing loyalty, service, and love for the family and the city. Frank is a consummate diplomat at home and in NYC, as he navigates family, political, and criminal challenges. He is active in his Catholic church and presides over the family meal and prayers each Sunday.
CBS provides photos and discussions related to thirteen family goals that Frank leads in the series. CBS also provides photos and discussions related to ten good parenting tips. Early series are available on Netflix and DVDs. The current series can be seen on CBS TV and streaming services.
Classic TV show ‘Little House on the Prairie’ starred Michael Landon and Melissa Gilbert
Blue Bloods provides a critical need in our culture today for good role models of fathers, healthy families, and honorable civil service. This series is a valuable standout among other “family” TV series that do not provide good role models.
There is an ongoing and growing need for research and discernment in selection of TV programs and movies. Before selecting TV programming or movies, it is wise to research the content of the shows and movies, as well as the track record of companies and their subsidiaries that produced them. a Waters in new
Unfortunately, there are other “family” television programs and movies that have undesirable language, situations, and philosophies. Therefore, caution is advised and research encouraged before making any choices for movies and television that you and yours see.
The Bible tells us to think on the following: whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, and anything excellent or praiseworthy.
The Renaissance of artistry and Reformation of content continues in television and movies. Further, as demonstrated by Movieguide’s recent 2017 Annual Report to the Entertainment Industry, family-friendly movies and television programs have staying and earning power. (Movieguide ® has consistently found these kinds of results in its ongoing analysis of the content of movies and their box office numbers since 1991.)
Television’s ‘Blue Bloods’ stars veteran actor Tom Selleck.
Furthermore, Movieguide ® provides online reviews and information to readers to assist them in sorting out traditional and Biblical concepts of family and morality from contemporary, non-traditional, non-Biblical concepts of family and morality in TV and movies. Many television programs and movies that seem family-friendly in their promotions, upon closer look, are not family and morality friendly in traditional, Biblical terms. Frequently movies that seem to glitter as family-friendly, turn out to be no more than Fools’ Gold and lead in harmful directions.
Other online sources of valuable information about TV programs and movies are the following: Fruit in the Desert, Sonoma Christian Home, Plugged In, and Dove. More good family TV programs and movies are due out in months and years ahead. Don’t settle for less than the best for yourself, your family, and your friends.
Happy Father’s Day!
To learn more about this author, please visit Dr. Diane Howard
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