Not every dad can be Andy Taylor. Or Ward Cleaver. Or Jim Anderson. Because these days, TV is in color. TV's most colorful dad, Homer Simpson, didn't make the cut, but just in time for Father's Day, this week's Relative Madness presents the top 25 over-the-top TV and celebrity dads. A few of this week's favorites: No. 25, Snoop Dogg.... Continue reading »

Poor dads. These days, most paternal parental units do not come off well. When did fathers stop knowing best? Some still do, of course. But there's a whole spate of patriarchs who could use a few lessons from Miss Manners. This week's Relative Madness, "Father Knows Less," revokes some No. 1 Dad trophies and awards some dubious distinctions to the... Continue reading »

Gone are the days when a mom, a dad, 2.5 kids, and a dog defined the typical family. Yes sir, we're living in the land of a new normal: blended families are where it's at. Some blended families are like a chocolate/vanilla soft-serve cone: two flavors, swirled together. Simple. Others are like rainbow sherbet. With sprinkles. And nuts. And chocolate... Continue reading »

Who doesn't like things that are blended? Smoothies. Scotch. Families. This week's Relative Madness, "Twisted Family Trees," goes out on a limb to pick the top 25 blended TV and celebrity families. Like the survivors of Oceanic 815. (What do you mean, "Who?" You're not watching Lost? What do you do on Thursday nights? I mean, besides watching Relative Madness?)... Continue reading »

Ah, love. We might not have a lot in common with superstars and their extravagant lives or with the people on TV because they're not, you know, real, but love is our common denominator. This week, Relative Madness walks down the aisle with the top 25 over-the-top TV and celebrity couples. A few of this week's favorites: No. 25, Betty... Continue reading »

Love makes us do funny things. Like get married. (Insert rimshot here) Goodnight, everybody! I'm here all week! Try the veal! But seriously, folks, who can't relate to a little bit of the crazy when you're in love? All those emotions and hormones and pheromones swirling around. Who can begrudge us going a little berzerk? This week's Relative Madness, "Crazy... Continue reading »

Can't we all just get along? Well, of course not. What would we watch on TV? This week, Relative Madness takes to the couch to examine 25 over-the-top famous families and their famous feuds. Survey says: Get some help, people! A few of this week's favorites: No. 22, The clan of Malcolm in the Middle. I used to watch the... Continue reading »

Family squabbles aren't just for The Jerry Springer Show, you know. Even if you've never hurled a chair at a loved one, we're willing to wager that every moment of every day hasn't been filled exclusively with kittens and rainbows. Right? Celebs, though, don't have the luxury of confining their dirty laundry to their back yards. And you may not... Continue reading »

My brothers used to torture my toys. My brother Paul stuck an M-80 in the neck of my Dressy Bessy, lit the fuse, tossed Dressy Bessy into the air and – kapow! – Dressy Bessy stuffing rained down on me like so much nuclear fallout. My brother Brian tied one end of a piece of red yarn around the neck... Continue reading »

Did you call your mother on Mother's Day? You better have called her because if you didn't and your brother or sister did, they're now mom's favorite. A little sibling rivalry can be a good thing. Competition often brings out the best in brothers and sisters. But don't you wonder what it must like to be to be Nikki in... Continue reading »