My Two Dads

I remember this funny but weird comedy series from the late 80's, I watched a few episodes from time to time. It is odd for a girl or any person for that matter to have two dads, but I guess it is possible in this crazy world we live in. The series was well written and featured good acting from Staci Keanan, Paul Reiser, and Greg Evigan. Let me explain 12 year-old Nicole (Staci Keanan) is in an unusual situation. She has two fathers. Years ago neurotic business student Michael (Paul Reiser) and free-spirited painter Joey (Greg Evigan) had loved the same woman only to both broken up with her and they had not seen her again. Later their ex-flame had died and both Joey and Michael learned she had a daughter by one of them, but no one knew which one. So the tough but firm Judge Wilbur played perfectly by Florence Stanley awarded joint custody of Nicole to them both. It was very fun watching the many episodes to experience the growing pains all three had. Each learned about life and love.

The show's premise about a young single mother dies leaving orphan Staci Keanan to be raised by two potential fathers who are very opposite of one another. They are played by a former hometown resident Greg Evigan and Paul Reiser. The Judge who put them together is played by the wonderful Florence Stanley. Okay, the plot may have been dumb but something clicked on this show about two very different men who are not gay raising a daughter in New York City. Of course, a simple blood test would determine who the father was but it was more important that it did not matter after awhile. That family can be redefined about people who love and care for each other. The show also had the two fathers date women. Of course, now the show would be about two gay men raising a daughter which would have left the fire out of them trying to get along and live together as a family. Isn't family about people who love each other after all?

Need one of television's ad hoc families? I recommend this one. Nicole's (Staci Keenan) mother dies, and her two old flames inherit her per her will. One of them is her father, but no one knows who. They used to be best friends, but parted enemies, and now make up their differences for Nicole's sake and move into Joey's apartment and try to put up a "normal" family. Of course, the two dads have totally different personalities;Michael is an uptight consultant while Joey is a carefree, spontaneous artist. This makes for the funniest situations which of course get settled by the end of the episode. I think this is one of the funniest comedies of the '80s. If you have the time, check it out.

*** out of ****

I've read through these comments, all bashing MTD's, but for me growing with two homosexual fathers, the show was a godsend! There, once a week, was a family that looked and acted just like mine - except I didn't have a neighbor like Dick Butkus, he-he. Greg Evigan and Paul Reiser had this unspoken sexual chemistry, just like my father's, Stan and Randy (though sometimes their chemistry was more that just unspoken but that's a story for Dr. Phil!). MTD's quickly became my life. I collected the entire set of trading cards (sold only in Israel), the backpack, and the hair gell endorsed by Greg Evigan at the time (for a firm, stylish hold...). Really, the only thing I can say to sirs, Evigan and Reiser, "Thank you, my two sweet princes."

Childhood best friends Michael Taylor (Paul Reiser) and Joey Harris (Greg Evigan) have been estranged since fighting over girlfriend Marcy Bradford thirteen years earlier. They are brought in to the reading of her will. They are shocked to discover that they both inherited her 12 year old daughter Nicole Bradford (Staci Keanan). The father is biologically indeterminate. Michael is a stuffy financial advisor and Joey is the irresponsible free-spirit artist. They move into Michael's artistic loft. Judge Margaret W. Wilbur oversees their case and also owns Michael's apartment building. They often hang out at a local diner owned by Ed Klawicki (Dick Butkus). Cory Kupkus (Giovanni Ribisi) has a crush on Nicole while she has a crush on Zach Nichols (Chad Allen). Shelby Haskell (Amy Hathaway) is her wild friend.

It's a bright neon 80's family sitcom with an odd premise. The judge makes no sense. Here's my idea. The two guys can move into the Bradford home. The judge is the neighbor friend which is why she is the executor of the estate and often comes over to their home. Instead, she's just randomly the owner of Joey's building and even takes over Klawicki's diner. Paternity testing became much more accurate during the 80's although popular culture may not have caught up. They do eventually tackle the issue in season three. The premise is convoluted but ultimately harmless. The show is passable. There is missed opportunity to pair up Cory with Shelby. Reiser does a few slightly funny things. Evigan is a good foil for him. The girl is cute and sweet. It's way too early to do a gay couple parenting a kid. Instead, we're doing Three Men and a Baby in a network sitcom. Just in case anyone is wondering. This show came first. I watched this back in the day. It's not that memorable or outstanding. I remember a few episodes and definitely the bright 80's neon-art loft apartment. Otherwise, this is a mostly forgotten show with a memorable name.