Unfortunately, it’s a common issue that most sitcoms are willing to do anything for a laugh. While there’s nothing wrong with a bit of slapstick comedy, plenty of television shows prioritize comedy at the expense of anything remotely grounded or heartfelt.

The series Leave It to Beaver was a welcome departure from this trend, most likely because the sitcom’s priority wasn’t making audiences laugh; it was making them feel.

One of the show’s stars, Hugh Beaumont, better known as Cleaver patriarch Ward Cleaver, told The Morning Call that he was proud that the series prioritized a healthy family dynamic.

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“I’m glad the creators and writers of our series, Joe Connelly and Bob Mosher, made Ward Cleaver the head of the family,” said Beaumont. “I’m sorry to see fathers losing the respect of their children. That’s one of our biggest problems today...and a lot of it can be traced to the downgrading of fathers for the sake of a slapstick laugh.”

Ward Cleaver was a model father, the sort of person many people admired, including Beaumont himself.

“I like the way Ward Cleaver handles his children,” said the actor. “Ward tries to be fair and just. When he makes a mistake in judgment, he apologizes sincerely, and that’s the end of it. If he has to call off a family picnic or outing, he explains why. His bys know him well enough so that the old ‘but you promised!' isn’t heard.”