Arts Entertainments

TV Sitcom characters who practice skydiving

Coming home from spring break, we passed a skydiving spot on I-75 near Tampa. It looked like an attractive place, and as we watched from the highway, my passenger was tempted to give it a try.

No matter how attractive the place was, he didn’t want to be a part of it. Having been terrified of heights since my childhood, I passed by.

The rest of the way home I reflected on the art of skydiving, remembering television shows in which a character takes up the hobby. Here’s the list we came up with, which includes classic sitcoms and modern series.

Howard Sprague in Mayberry, RFD

The milquetoast (played by Jack Dodson) from North Carolina’s most famous fictional town pretended he was into skydiving, just because his girlfriend found it a nice hobby.

Bud Bundy in Married with children

Al and Peg’s only child (played by David Faustino) found himself on a plane with a little girl, hoping to impress her with his courage.

Marge Simpson in The Simpsons

To get out of the routine, Homer’s wife decides to experience the sensation of a free fall through the air.

Woody, Norm and Cliff in Health

In the episode titled “Jumping Jerks” the three friends make a pact to land with a parachute.

Peggy Hill in King of the hill

The episode “The Decline and Fall” shows Hank’s wife as a fan of skydiving, something the propane salesman never tried.

Drake Bell and Josh Peck in Drake and Josh

The guitar-playing stepbrother climbs into a helicopter to jump from, prompting the more sensible Josh to climb on in hopes of dissuading him.

Jesse Katsopolis in Full house

Before their wedding, Mary Kate and Ashley’s favorite uncle (played by John Stamos) decides to take a literal step. He landed in a tree and ended up driving home in a truck of tomatoes, only to be late for the ceremony.

Peter Griffin in Family man

“Turban Cowboy” is the episode in which Peter, Quagmire and Joe skydive to end their boring lives. Peter finds the activity so exhilarating that he keeps jumping until a landing on the Eiffel Tower sends him to the hospital, where he is almost persuaded to convert to Islam.

Carly, Spencer, Freddie and Sam in icarly

After being invited to accept an award in Japan, the gang ends up having to dive into Tokyo in an episode titled “IGo to Japan”.

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