3. Mike Heck "The Middle"
This is the first of two characters on this list that their shows try to more often than not make out like they are brilliant fathers, when in reality they are pretty much the worst dads ever. Until the most recent episode, the first of season 4, I wouldn't have even considered him for a place on this list. But after that episode, I am now convinced he is the second worst father currently on television. Mike is made out to be a pretty standard, somewhat lovable, mostly good dad... but this is all a lie. In the season 4 opener, his children ask both him and his wife who his favorite child is. His wife, who isn't the best example of a mother on TV either answers with the correct response- that she loves all her children equally. Mike however, even after hearing his wife give the perfect answer, tells his children that his eldest son Axl is his favorite child. He doesn't even ever appear all that sorry about it either, and doesn't really convincingly change his mind by the episodes end. Considering my favorite character on the show... in fact, arguably the only reason I watch The Middle (which, by the way, if you don't watch, is actually one of the most underrated comedies on TV, and with enough differences to make it not just a Malcolm in the Middle copy) is the genius character Sue Heck, Mike's daughter, and anyone who doesn't love her I immediately hate just a little. But like Meg from Family Guy, Sue really doesn't deserve the lack of respect she gets on the show from her own father. She spends most of that same episode doing everything she can to make her father love her the same; devoting her entire summer to him in order to build lasting memories. Despite the amount of effort Sue puts in, and how clearly upset she is that her father doesn't love her as much as her older brother, he doesn't seem all that interesting in making it up to Sue, or in trying to build lasting memories with her. This was even after she admitted that he was her favorite parent, despite clearly not deserving the title. When you think back over the last 3 seasons, he is pretty much a do nothing father, and for this reason he is actually a pretty unlikable character, though he clearly isn't supposed to be. He once even made his wife go out in the rain to buy some batteries even though he was hoarding many to himself. I guess he is just a terrible human being then.