DAILY DIRT: It’s never too early to celebrate Father’s Day

The calendar says Father’s Day is June 19, but there’s no reason we can start a little early in acknowledging dear old dad … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 304 of The Daily Dirt.

1. Father’s Day is still about two weeks away, but it’s never too early to celebrate.

Here’s who I think were the 10 most entertaining TV dads have been through the years (I didn’t emphasize “role models” or “best,” simply entertaining:

• 1. Archie Bunker: Archie (Carroll O’Connor) catches a lot of grief these day from some extremists, but give the guy a break. He had to put up with Meat Head.
• 2. Peter Griffin: The “Family Guy” guy (voiced by Seth MacFarlane) is the first of two cartoon dads on the list. And I I were a cartoon character I would have most certainly been Peter Griffin. “If Peter would just listen more to his wife, things would likely be more normal, but not nearly as funny,” writes one TV critic. Know the feeling, Peter, know the feeling.
• 3. Ray Barone: Ray was always one of my favorites. “Everybody Loves Raymond” featured Ray Romano portraying a sports writer who was totally clueless with things like mechanics and, at times, fatherhood. But he knew sports!
• 4. Frank Costanza: Remember, Frank (Jerry Stiller) had to deal with having George as a son.
• 5. Dan Conner: Poor Dan (John Goodman). I’ve always been grateful I was never married to someone like “Roseanne”.
• 6. Andy Taylor: Sheriff Taylor (Andy Griffith) makes the list, if for no other reason than he had to put up with Barney Fife.
• 7. Homer Simpson: If you were Homer (voiced by Dan Castellaneta), you’d have been half-nuts, too, with a kid like Bart.
• 8. Tim Taylor: “The Toolman” (Tim Allen) was both hilarious and serious with his role on “Home Improvement”. He was perfect as The Toolman.
• 9. Frank Reagan: Played by Tom Selleck on “Blue Bloods,” Reagan not only oversees the New York City Police Department, but an equally demanding family. The most appealing part of this role is Reagan is portrayed as very human — he makes mistakes.
• 10. Howard Cunningham: Mr. Cunningham (Tom Bosley) had to only put up with Potsy and Ralph Malph on “Happy Days,” but he had to put up with The Fonz, too.

2. Keeping with the Father’s Day theme, this is most assuredly a joke a dad would tell.

What do you call a camel with no humps? Humphrey. (Aw, come on! That’s a classic! Hump Free!)

3. Some of my favorite quotes about fathers:

Gold medal: “Dad: A son’s first hero, a daughter’s first love.” — Unknown.

Silver medal: “When my father didn’t have my hand, he had my back.” — humorist Linda Pointdexter.

Bronze medal: “The greatest mark of a father is how he treats his children when no one is looking.” — actor Dan Pearce.

Steve Thought O’ The Day — Steve says, “Why wait until Father’s Day” to celebrate your dad? Start right now.

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. His kids report that his Father’s Day gift request list matches his Chirstmas wish list.