Is 2018 the year of the TV Uncle?

There’s no shortage of iconic TV dads. But this year, their brothers could get their due. It’s time for the rise of TV uncles.

Mike Brady. George Jefferson. Danny Tanner. Phillip Banks. Phil Dunphy. There’s a TV dad for every generation, each one bursting at the seams with pep talks, life advice and of course, dad jokes. They’ve come to be a staple of family-oriented shows, and with good reason.

But for every heartwarming dad, there’s one family member that’s villainized  more than any other.

It’s a trope that started with Shakespeare: the bad guy is usually the uncle. Take The Lion King, for instance (the story is basically Hamlet as animals). Scar is as bad as they come, with an intense superiority complex.

The “evil Uncle” concept carried from literature to film and definitely to television. Chuck Bass had evil Uncle Jack in Gossip Girl, and Kara Danvers had evil Uncle Non in Supergirl.

As the years have gone on, uncles have gotten a seriously bad rap. Fortunately, 2018 could be the year where that all changes.

Fuller House season 3 production photo. Image: Mike Yarish / Netflix

Full House

When you think “TV dad,” it’s impossible to not go straight to Danny Tanner. The man practically cornered the market on inspirational talks, always accompanied by the trusty orchestral backdrop. Funny enough, when thinking of TV uncles, the mind still tends to jump to Full House.

Jesse Katsopolis and Joey Gladstone were some of the best co-parents in the game. Jesse brought the cool, and Joey brought the jokes. Together, the trio almost always had the answers for DJ, Stephanie and Michelle.

Full House was really the first time extended family members took central roles in a story. When the show ended in 1995, the idea of the lovable uncle as a main character seemed to disappear with it. But then came the wave of reboots.

Netflix’s Fuller House has given fans the return of Uncle Jesse, reminding everyone how much they missed having John Stamos on their screens. The hair, the sass, every single “Have mercy!” — it’s all still so swoon-worthy. Uncle Joey’s back too, as hilarious as ever. He’s struggled a bit with kids of his own, but he’s figuring it out.

Both are dads themselves now, but still have the magic uncle wisdom for DJ and Steph when needed. With a confirmed fourth season on the way, Fuller House seems to have paved the way for more TV uncles, especially on network television.

THIS IS US — “A Manny-Splendored Thing” Episode 202 — Pictured: Justin Hartley as Kevin — (Photo by: Ron Batzdorff/NBC)

This Is Us

It took about an hour for Milo Ventimiglia to secure his status as a beloved TV dad. Jack Pearson has become the gold standard since This Is Us premiered on NBC in September 2016. It’s only logical that he’d pass his charm onto his kids.

As a result, fans were gifted with Kevin Pearson, a funny, talented and — as Toby so fittingly put it — stupidly handsome uncle to Tess and Annie Pearson.

Between his love life and his acting woes, Kevin’s role as an uncle hasn’t been spotlighted all that much. But family is a core pillar of the series, and his relationship with his nieces is arguably one of his strongest in the show.

Now Kevin has admittedly had some big problems this season. Drunkenly speeding down the highway, not realizing his niece was also in the car, wasn’t his finest moment. But he’s got his checklist, and is working hard to make amends.

Up to that point, Kevin’s actually been a pretty great uncle. He always gave his nieces swag from The Manny, and they’re usually pretty excited to hang out with him. (Tess did get into his car for a reason, right?)

Assuming Kevin can get back on track in the coming episodes, and stick to it, he has every chance to make the TV uncle hall of fame. And, if ever the day comes where Kate or Kevin himself has kids, Randall Pearson will most certainly make a phenomenal TV uncle as well.

CHAMPIONS — Pilot — Pictured: (l-r) Andy Favreau as Matthew, J.J. Totah as Michael, Anders Holm as Vince — (Photo by: Jordin Althaus/NBC)

Champions

It’s a slow rolling ball for TV uncles right now, but come March 8, it’s getting a pretty big push. With its new comedy series Champions, NBC is adding a new uncle to the mix.

The show centers on Vince (Anders Holm), a gym owner who’s suddenly put in charge of taking care of his teenage son Michael (J.J. Totah). The show was created by Mindy Kaling and Charlie Grandy, and boasts an all-star cast, including Kaling as Michael’s mom, Priya.

The characters are each lovable in their own right, but Andy Favreau as Michael’s uncle Matthew is a standout. He strikes the perfect balance of pure-hearted nature and dimwittedness. During the show’s panel at the Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour, Favreau’s character was described as “a hot Lenny [sic] from Of Mice and Men,”  and it’s spot on, in the best way.

Matthew quickly forms a bond with Michael, and the two make for some of the best scenes in the pilot. He offers support to his nephew, oftentimes even more than Michael’s own father. It’s impossible to not wish that Matthew was your own uncle.

With so few truly lovable TV uncles in the arena, Andy Favreau’s character is a welcome addition, and one that will hopefully inspire more this year. Revamping the role of extended relatives marks a much needed shift in family-based series. Modern Family knew it and, with Champions, it seems more shows are catching on.

Next: 25 feel-good shows to start 2018 off right

Champions premieres on Thursday, March 8, 2018 on NBC. This Is Us is currently airing its second season on NBC, and you can stream three seasons of Fuller House on Netflix.