Problematic Parents
Television has given us plenty of iconic moms and dads—some warm, loving, and aspirational. And then there are the others…the parents who make you want to call child protective services or at least stage a stern intervention. Whether they’re absent, abusive, selfish, or just catastrophically clueless, these characters remind us that family drama often starts at home. Here are the worst parents in TV history, the ones who prove that DNA doesn’t always come with good parenting instincts.
Hiram Lodge From Riverdale
Few fathers take issue with their daughter’s boyfriend to the point of full-on wrestling matches, but Hiram Lodge went there. His obsession with Archie wasn’t just overprotective—it was bizarre, manipulative, and occasionally violent. Instead of focusing on his daughter Veronica’s happiness, Hiram turned every relationship into a power play.
David And Holly Vega from Victorious
Nickelodeon comedies weren’t known for stellar parenting, but the Vegas took absenteeism to new heights. They left younger daughter Tori in charge of Trina after a painful dental surgery, then disappeared on a trip. For parents barely present throughout the show, their greatest legacy might be proving that even laugh-track sitcoms can produce cringe-worthy guardians.
Nickelodeon, Victorious (2010–2013)
Ross Geller From Friends
Sure, Ross was funny, but as a dad? Yikes. He freaked out when Ben played with a Barbie, bristled at the idea of a male nanny, and constantly prioritized his ego over his son’s well-being. Ross loved to lecture everyone else about family values, yet he rarely put in the actual work of being a present parent.
John Winchester From Supernatural
Parenting rule number one: feed your kids. John Winchester failed that test when Dean was caught stealing food while his dad let him “rot in jail.” Training your children to fight demons might sound noble, but when it comes at the cost of stability and love, it’s not exactly a gold-star approach. He turned fatherhood into boot camp, and the scars ran deep.
The CW, Supernatural (2005–2020)
Joseph Santos From Degrassi: The Next Generation
Strict parents can be tough, but Joseph Santos crossed into cruel. Calling his teenage daughter Manny names because of her insecurities was more damaging than protective. While the show eventually gave him some growth, his early behavior made home life unbearable for his daughter—so much so that she had to move in with a friend.
CTV, Degrassi: The Next Generation (2001–2015)
Alexis Carrington Colby From Dynasty
The queen of glam entrances, Alexis literally crashed a funeral to make her grand reappearance in her children’s lives. After abandoning her family for years, she returned not to mend fences but to manipulate and wreak havoc. Alexis may have been fashionable, but in the parenting department she was nothing short of toxic.
Cal Jacobs From Euphoria
Few TV dads manage to be simultaneously terrifying and pathetic, but Cal Jacobs nailed it. Between his affairs with teenagers, his strict control over Nate, and his constant emotional manipulation, Cal was a masterclass in bad parenting. Watching his influence explains so much about Nate’s broken worldview—it’s nurture gone wrong in real time.
Aaron Echolls From Veronica Mars
Celebrity dad by day, monstrous father by night. Aaron not only abused his family but also had an affair with—and ultimately murdered—his son’s teenage girlfriend. It’s one of the darkest storylines in Veronica Mars, and it cemented Aaron as one of TV’s most unforgivable parents.
he CW, Veronica Mars (2004–2007, 2019)
Megan Stewart From Genera+ion
When your kid comes out, the bare minimum is offering support. Megan Stewart did the opposite—undermining her son Nathan’s bisexuality, calling it a phase, and treating it like a cry for attention. Her dismissive attitude wasn’t just cruel, it was emotionally destructive. Sometimes the damage isn’t physical—it’s the constant invalidation.
Harry Morgan From Dexter
Adopting a traumatized child should come with therapy, not lessons in murder. Harry Morgan saw young Dexter’s darkness and, instead of helping him heal, gave him a “code” to channel it into worse. He may have thought he was guiding Dexter, but really, he was shaping him into a monster.
Showtime, Dexter (2006–2013; 2021)
Lorelai Gilmore From Gilmore Girls
Fans love Lorelai for her quick wit and coffee addiction, but being the “cool mom” came at a cost. She set high expectations for Rory, lashed out when those weren’t met, and often blurred the lines between parent and best friend. For every charming quip, there was a moment of judgment or selfishness that left Rory stranded.
The CW, Gilmore Girls (2000–2007)
Ventura Nunier From Elite
When your daughter comes to you scared and vulnerable, the last thing she needs is cold dismissal. Ventura Nunier treated Marina with disdain, dismissed her pregnancy, and bankrupted the family with reckless choices. His parenting wasn’t just bad—it actively harmed his children’s futures.
Mr. And Mrs. Turner From The Fairly OddParents
Timmy Turner’s parents were blissfully ignorant to the torment he suffered at the hands of babysitter Vicky. Despite seeing clear signs of distress, they continued hiring her, proving that negligence isn’t just a live-action issue. For cartoon parents, they managed to hit rock bottom with flying colors.
Nickelodeon, The Fairly OddParents (2001–2017)
Alaric Saltzman From Legacies
Once a reliable protector in The Vampire Diaries, Alaric devolved into a mess by the time Legacies rolled around. He ignored his daughters’ emotional needs, handed drinks to underage students, and generally served as a cautionary tale about what happens when mentorship gets sloppy. For someone tasked with safeguarding the next generation, he often looked the other way.
Dan Scott From One Tree Hill
Dan Scott wasn’t just a bad dad—he was a villain in his sons’ lives. He abandoned one, terrorized the other, and oh yes, killed his own brother. His attempts at redemption later in the series never fully erased the decades of emotional and physical abuse. He might hold the crown for worst TV father ever.
The CW, One Tree Hill (2003–2012)
Monica Gallagher From Shameless
The Gallagher kids didn’t just raise themselves—they had to actively recover from their mom’s chaos. Monica floated in and out of their lives, promising change but only delivering disappointment. Fiona’s heartbreaking confrontation with her mother—telling her she was “supposed to be my mom too”—summed up years of damage.
Showtime, Shameless (2011–2021)
Bart Bass From Gossip Girl
Cold, ruthless, and occasionally homicidal—Bart Bass embodied Upper East Side toxicity. He manipulated Chuck, prioritized business over family, and even tried to kill his own son. With parents like these, it’s no wonder the Gossip Girl teens were so scandalous.
The CW, Gossip Girl (2007–2012)
Mrs. Kim From Gilmore Girls
While Lorelai often gets criticized, Mrs. Kim deserves just as much scrutiny. Her suffocating religious control over Lane left lasting scars, especially around issues of purity and self-expression. She might have believed she was protecting her daughter, but in reality she was instilling lifelong shame.
The CW, Gilmore Girls (2000–2007)
Frank Gallagher From Shameless
The only Gallagher parent who stuck around—but for all the wrong reasons. Frank was a master manipulator, exploiting his kids for schemes, cash, and cover-ups while drinking himself into oblivion. Unlike Monica, who vanished, Frank’s presence was constant—and constantly destructive.
Showtime, Shameless (2011–2021)
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