Daddy-O

"Daddy-O" was a failed TV pilot from 1961. Apparently, the network execs saw little to recommend this show and it was never picked up as a series. It's a shame, as the show was very unusual. Perfect? Far from it...but it had promise.

The show begins with Don Defore playing a stereotypical 'stupid dad'--complete with an annoying laugh track and lots of accidents. I really hated the show--until you learn that this IS supposed to be an annoying sitcom! In other words, the cameras soon stop and Defore announces to his agent that he HATES acting in this dopey show and he wants to quit and go back to his old job as a carpenter. Much of the show consists of the various efforts to convince him to sign his new contract and NOT give up the show, as it is successful. How will this all work out in the end? Aside from some occasional lapses in the writing (the teenage sons in the show are too selfish and obnoxious for my taste), the show was fresh and unusual. Perhaps it was too unusual for 1961. All I know is that Defore's later series, "Hazel", was far more conventional. If you are interested in seeing "Daddy-O", it's available as a free download from archive.org.