why in modern cartoons and shows they make the father figure so stupid

Question

why in modern cartoons and shows they make the father figure so stupid

In: Other

Answer 1

In the black & white & early color eras of TV, sitcom dads were portrayed as wise, competent characters. Later on the in 80’s & 90’s, comedies started to subvert this trope for shock value and comedic effect by having the father act against this type and be stupid and/or incompetent. This proved popular enough (and probably easy to write) that it became its own trope and wife/mother became the wise character and the moral center of the family.