Fantasy Island

When you were raising your children, did you ever think you could dole out a just punishment as well as Heathcliff and Clair Huxtable on "The Cosby Show," or give a speech that was just as compassionate as one Danny Tanner would have given on "Full House?" Or did you ever wish your son was as financially responsible as Alex P. Keaton on "Family Ties" or your daughter as popular as Marsha on "The Brady Bunch?"

It's OK—you're not the only one who has indulged in the fantasy of having the perfect sitcom family. One Arkansas newspaper is even holding a contest for readers to submit an essay describing which famous television kid they would want to fill their empty nest. The winner of the contest will receive a box set of television DVDs in order to help fill the void. From the description of the contest, the folks Arkansas Democrat Gazette sound like a pretty fun bunch:

"If you're extremely attached to all three of Tim and Jill Taylor's boys on Home Improvement, the judge is very sorry, but you'll have to narrow down your choice to just one. No multiple adoptions allowed."

If we were to choose a TV kid for First 30 Days, we'd have to go with Denise Huxtable. Not only was she always up on the latest fashions, but she was always able to take on all of life's changes. She went from being a freewheeling hippie to a wife and mother of her non-biological daughter, Olivia, all the while finishing up her degree and living at home with her parents. If you're dying to express your love for a TV kid and don't happen to live in northwest Arkansas, tell us which character you would choose!