Best Sibling Rivalries on Television

Many television series about families have found success in the Nielson ratings as well as in syndicated reruns. Some of the popular shows even have the word family in their titles, such as "Family Ties," Family Matters," and "Family Affair."

The plots of the shows don't necessarily reflect real-life families, mainly because the audience expects the shows to resolve any problems and end happily. Unfortunately, real life family problems aren't settled within a thirty minute or one hour time frame.

One of the common family problems television writers have explored is sibling rivalry. Though the real life problem of sibling rivalry often leads to family dysfunction and therapy sessions in adulthood, the television shows somehow contrive happy endings out of episodes about competing siblings.

I have amassed a list of the ten best TV shows involving sibling rivalries.

10. "Good Times" Thelma (Bernadette Stanis) and older brother JJ (Jimmie Walker) constantly cut each other down. Thelma's insults grow trite quickly because usually involve JJ's long and skinny physique. The rivalry, obviously for parental affection, is one-sided, since father and mother seldom have an affectionate word for their eldest child.

9. "The Patti Duke Show" Kathie Lane and Patty Lane (both played by Patty Duke) aren't exactly sisters (they're identical cousins), but they have sometimes squabble like sisters. One of my favorite episodes has Kathie going after a guy for his artistic appeal while Patty goes after the athletic appeal in that same guy.

8. "Petticoat Junction" Any show with three sisters is bound to have some sibling rivalry. Though these girls seldom become catty with one another, there is an episode when the three fight over the local aviator, Steve. Billie Jo (Meredith McRae) becomes his steady girl, but later in the series Steve ends up marrying the youngest daughter Betty Jo (Linda Kaye). The fact that Saunders became pregnant probably forced the writers to create that scenario.

7. "The Partridge Family" The cast undoubtedly bowed to older brother Keith (David Cassidy) because he had become a teen idol. Thus there was little rivalry between him and his siblings, though there was a hint of resentment from oldest daughter Laurie (Susan Dey). The other rivalry seemed to be which of the siblings would tale the most shots at brother Danny (Danny Bonaduce).

6. "The Waltons" Oldest son John Boy (Richard Thomas) was unrivaled, but Jason and Ben seemed to compete in various episodes. Most notable (and predictable) was a situation when the two boys liked the same girl.

5. "Bonanza" The Cartright sons usually get along and help each other fight whatever evil passes near the Ponderosa. Little Joe (Michael Landon) does, however, compete with big brother Hoss (Dan Blaocker) for the affections of a pretty lass in an unfortunately predictable episode.

4. "Full House" The three daughters of Danny Tanner (Bob Saget) compete in many episodes of the sitcom. The most memorable of these is when DJ (Candace Cameron) is chosen to appear in a TV ad. During a brief absence from the set, a producer sees sister Stephanie there and decides she is a better choice for the ad.

3. "Big Valley" Two of the three Barkleys bicker on nearly every episode. Middle brother Nick (Peter Breck) seems to have it in for half-bother Heath (Lee Majors) from the time the latter shows up at the ranch claiming to be the late Mr. Barkley's illegitimate son.

2. "The Brady Bunch" Jan (Eve Plumb) was jealous of older sister Marcia (Maureen McCormick). Marcia was jealous when Greg (Barry Williams) got the upstairs attic for his room. Family tykes Cindy (Susan Olsen) and Bobby (Mike Lookinland) compete with their older siblings by setting a world see saw record. The list goes on. The best rivalry episode, though, is the one where Greg and Marcia have a contest to see who is the better driver.

1. "Dallas" J.R. Ewing (Larry Hagman) runs the family oil business, but he always has to look over his shoulder at younger Bobby (Patrick Duffy). Bobby is nicer, but several times he challenges his ruthless brother for leadership of the company.