11 Dysfunctional Families We Wish We Were Related To

The modern fictional family is almost always a dysfunctional unit. But these fictional clans make it look like so much fun, who wouldn’t want to be a part of the hijinx? And catch our favorite dysfunctional family The Gallaghers in a new season of Shameless, Sundays at 9 PM (ET/PT) – only on SHOWTIME®.

1. The Tenenbaums

Buena Vista Pictures / Everett Collection

Anyone who tries to say they wouldn't cherish being a member of the genius, artistic, athletic, well-dressed, incredibly-messed-up Tenenbaum family is just lying to themselves.

2. The Sopranos

HBO / Everett Collection

Sure, every day would be a crapshoot of life, death, freedom, incarceration, and potential heart attacks, but hey, wouldn't it be cool to be part of the family? And not just the family, but THE family.

3. The Cohens

Warner Bros / Everett Collection

If you absorbed any of The O.C., you probably also experienced the crippling urge to somehow join its first family and have Sandy Cohen be your surrogate dad. Best. Dad. Ever.

4. The Bluths

© 20th Century Fox Film Corp. / Courtesy Everett Collection

You don't necessarily have to be comically inept to be a member of the Bluth family, but it couldn't hurt. Plus, think of all the Skip's Scrambles you could consume at family brunch!

5. The Gallaghers

Showtime

Who wouldn't want to be a part of a rowdy and disorderly collection of misfits who stick together through (just about) everything? They have their quirks, and their conundrums, but the Gallagher family sure does know how to party.

6. The Ewings

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The original ones, of course. Who wouldn't want to be part of a (somewhat evil) wealthy Texas oil and cattle-ranching tycoon family? Come for the treachery, stay for the ten gallon hats.

7. The Fishers

HBO / Everett Collection

Six Feet Under showed us the inner workings of the most morbid family to ever grace television, and WE WANT IN. Sure, their tenuous acceptance of each other hinged on the running of a funeral parlor in their home and a rampant lack of honesty but it'd be worth it to be present just for that awesome season 4 scene where they burn stuff together.

8. The Morgans

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Without giving too much away from the SEVEN SEASONS of murder on Dexter, just think of how much fun Thanksgiving would be every year when you're not exactly sure who is going to show up, and in what capacity.

9. The Crawleys

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We'd even accept being a part of the waitstaff at Downton Abbey, just for a chance to be a part of that sweet, sweet drama.

10. The Patrellis

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OK, sure, Heroes got a little ridiculous after the first season but three words: You. Can. Fly.

11. The Botwins

Showtime Networks Inc / Courtesy Everett Collection

Now we're talking. A family business we can totally get into. Weeds saw Shane and Silas Botwin grow up learning valuable life lessons, like how to "make deals" and "take care of business" and "live in Europe without adult supervision for a couple of years." Who wouldn't sign up for that childhood?