Family life has always been a staple of situation comedies on television, usually clans who are a tad dysfunctional but totally lovable. From the early days of TV through its peak in the 70s and 89s until even now, many sitcoms have revolved around families.
The earliest are shows such as “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet” and “Father Knows Best,” along with “Leave It To Beaver” and even the later episodes of “I Love Lucy.” Then came “All in the Family” and “Family Ties” before current series like “Modern Family” and “The Middle.”
Most of the families portrayed include both male and female children, an obvious effort to appeal to more audiences. For example, “The Cosby Show” featured Theo and his sisters, and more recently “Married with Children” had Bud Bundy and his older sister Kelly. The longest running current series, “The Simpsons,” centers on Bart and his younger sisters Lisa and Maggie.
Occasionally, a show has found success with a family comprised strictly of daughters. It is so what of a daring concept, seeing as it eliminates the opportunities for brother-sister bickering.
Here are the five most popular television shows that feature sisters only.
“Too Close for Comfort”
Ted Knight starred in this 80s series, portraying the father of daughters played by Lydia Cornell as the blonde and Deborah Van Valkenburgh as the brunette.
“Full House”
Comedian Bob Saget as widower Danny Tanner raises three daughters with the assistance, and sometimes aggravation, of brother-in-law Jesse (John Stamos) and best friend Joey (Dave Coulier).
“One Day at a Time”
Barbara and Julie are the two sisters on this 70s smash played by Valerie Bertinelli and Mackenzie Phillips, teenagers being raised by their divorced mother Ann Romano (Bonnie Franklin). The late Pat Harrington created his most memorable role as Dwayne Schneider, the meddlesome superintendent of the apartment building.
“Little House on the Prairie”
Michael Landon’s show was more of a drama than a sitcom, but his character of Charles Ingalls had take care of his Walnut Grove, Minnesota farm with three daughters. Melissa Gilbert played the middle daughter, Laura, who grows up to write the series of children’s books on which the show is based.
“Petticoat Junction”
Kate (Bea Benederet) runs the Shady Rest Hotel in Hooterville without much help from Uncle Joe, but she does have the benefit of three lovely daughters in the spinoff of “The Beverly Hillbillies.”