The best TV families with only sisters
Family life has always been a staple of sitcoms on television, usually clans that are a bit dysfunctional but totally lovable. From the early days of television to its heyday in the ’70s and’ 89s until now, many sitcoms have revolved around families.
The former are shows like “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet” and “Father Knows Best”, along with “Leave It To Beaver” and even 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 boys and girls, an obvious effort to attract more audiences. For example, “The Cosby Show” featured Theo and his sisters, and more recently “Married with Children” featured Bud Bundy and his older sister Kelly. The current longest-running series, “The Simpsons,” focuses on Bart and his younger sisters Lisa and Maggie.
Every once in a while, a show has been successful with a family made up strictly of daughters. It’s a bold concept, as it eliminates opportunities for sibling fights.
Here are the five most popular TV shows that only feature sisters.
“Too close for your comfort”
Ted Knight starred in this 80s series, playing 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 help, and sometimes aggravation, of brother-in-law Jesse (John Stamos) and his best friend Joey (Dave Coulier).
“One day at a time”
Barbara and Julie are the two sisters in this’ 70s hit played by Valerie Bertinelli and Mackenzie Phillips, teenagers 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 as Charles Ingalls had taken over his Walnut Grove, Minnesota farm with three daughters. Melissa Gilbert played the middle daughter, Laura, growing up to write the children’s book series on which the show is based.
“Petticoat crossing”
Kate (Bea Benederet) runs the Shady Rest Hotel in Hooterville without much help from Uncle Joe, but she has the benefit of three lovely daughters in the spin-off “The Beverly Hillbillies.”