As many terrible male role models that TV offers, it also offers a few great male role models. The terrible ones have the ability to provoke powerful emotions in audiences. From anger and to humor to sadness. On the other hand, the good ones provoke alternate powerful emotions, including love, relief, joy and even healing.
Watching good male characters on TV can be cathartic for audiences who need more positive male role models in their lives. Similarly, these characters help audiences learn good qualities that enrich theirs' and others' lives. TV has shown that good role models don't have to be boring, neither do they have to be superheroes. They just have to be interesting.
Bob Belcher (Bob's Burgers)
Business-owner, father, husband and friend, Bob Belcher is a popular man in Wonder Wharf. He is loved by most people he meets (except Jimmy Pesto) because he is a kind, easygoing and understanding man who makes people feel good.
He does not judge people and he tries to help others, even at a cost to himself. In fact, although Pesto acts as though he dislikes Bob, he relies on Bob's friendship and looks up to Bob's ability to keep his family happy and together, and to make his friends feel loved.
Steven Universe (Steven Universe)
The only half-human, half-gem hybrid, Steven is the son of Rose Quartz, the founder and leader of the Crystal Gems. Like his mother, Steven protects humanity and fights to keep them safe. As he grows from childhood, Steven learns emotional intelligence, learning not to turn his sadness into anger, but instead to reach out to those closest to him when he feels sad and vulnerable.
As part of his growth, Steven also learns how to deal with his generational trauma, his mother's death and the trauma of being a warrior and humanity's protector. At the end of the series, Steven realizes that true love from friends and family is a great way to release himself from his anger and trauma.
Fred Jones (Scooby-Doo)
The unquestioned leader of the Scooby Gang, Fred is an intelligent man whose friends look up to him. Fred is often very calm, logical, observant and courageous. These qualities make him a natural leader. He often makes plans to get the gang out of trouble and to catch the episode's villain because he is able to think and make connections even under pressure.
Even better, Fred is never shown abusing his authority as a leader. He speaks to the gang kindly, but firmly, and is adept at knowing how to persuade each member to carry out a task without pressuring or manipulating them into doing so.
Homey D. Clown (In Living Color)
Homey D. Clown went to prison for standing up to "The Man." An angry man who viciously rejects "The Man's" capitalistic, pretentious ways, where one has to be willing to suck up to move up, Homey is a rebel. Homey knows that if he changes and rids himself of his personality and self-dignity, he too could become wealthy and important. But Homey has too much dignity and chooses his own path, free of corruption and pretentiousness.
When he is forced to work as a clown in his parole program, Homey uses his opportunity to raise a new generation of rebels who think for themselves outside of "The Man's" brainwashing.
Elliot Birch (Big Mouth)
Father to Nick, Judd and Leah Birch, Elliot is a very generous lover who dotes on his wife incessantly. When he is not spending time with his wife, Elliot is often spending time with his children, conversing honestly with them about life in an open and honest manner.
A doctor who provides well for his family, Elliot does not neglect the emotional health of his children. In one episode where his son, Nick, is pantsed, Elliot takes off his trousers too in solidarity with his son, who is self-conscious about his small size. Although he is soon arrested, this moment and more reveals the father's love for his children.
Hank Hill (King Of The Hill)
Emotionally repressed propane lover, Hank Hill is not well-liked in Arlen, although he is well respected. A boys scout who always does what is right and never looks the other way, he is the man that everyone calls when they have a problem.
Hank is devoted to his work and shows great pride in his job as assistant manager of Strickland Propane. Growing up with a WWII vet for a father, Hank is extremely stunted, emotionally. However, for the sake of his son, Bobby, he changes and grows over the seasons to become more open-minded.
Bobby Hill (King Of The Hill)
Emotional class clown and comedy-lover, Bobby Hill is the antithesis of his father. Bobby is a free-spirited boy who is always happy and finds joy in the smallest things in life, from his beloved fruit pie to putting on underwear fresh from the drier. Despite his father proclaiming that "that boy ain't right," Bobby never lets his father's repression stop him from living his life. Bobby's lust for life is infectious and he is never short of friends or girlfriends.
He also teaches his parents to be free of societal constraints, like when he tells Peggy that although many people would want him to feel bad for being fat, he never lets that bother him or stop him from living life.
Troy (Community)
A former football jock, community college humbles Troy, changing him into a kind, healthy person. Troy meets Abed at Greendale Community College and they soon become best friends. His study group also teaches Troy that there is more to life than being arrogant or living for people's praise.
Troy is comically known for crying over everything, revealing a highly-sensitive person who does not suppress nor hide his emotions. Troy grows and no longer worries about looking powerful or macho in front of others. He takes care of his friends and shows respect to everyone.
Arnold (Hey Arnold!)
According to Arnold's best friend, Gerald, Arnold reads too much. Gerald also believes that Arnold thinks too much. The lesser empathetic of the duo, Arnold often influences Gerald to be more patient and understanding with others. In his community, Arnold goes above and beyond to help people. He is a calming influence on his friends and family and shows a lot of compassion towards others.
Arnold is an introverted boy who is able to draw people out of their shell and push people into facing their emotional pain so that they can find healing.
Uncle Phil (The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air)
One of television's greatest dads, Uncle Phil took Will in when Will had no-one else to turn to. He raises Will as his own son, despite Will's stubborn, annoying personality and his penchant for making fat jokes. Uncle Phil is a very good influence on Will, who looks up to his uncle and wants to become like him.
When Will's father rejects him a second time, Uncle Phil is there to comfort him. He becomes Will's dad and accepts Will as he is. Uncle Phil is also a very attentive husband and father, who spends a lot of time with his family so that they always feel loved.