Reality TV has given us no shortage of dysfunctional dads and husbands, but two names rise to the top of the chaos leaderboard: Todd Chrisley and Kody Brown. One is a Southern real estate mogul-turned-federal inmate with a flair for control and couture. The other is a polygamist patriarch who slowly unraveled his own family on national television. Both men have delivered jaw-dropping moments, questionable choices, and enough red flags to stop traffic. But when it comes down to it, who really takes home the title of worst reality TV dad/husband? Let’s break it down.
Kody Brown vs. Todd Chrisley: Who takes home the title of ‘worst reality TV dad/husband?’
Personally, I really dislike watching these two men on the small screen. They are vain and most definitely know that this article is about them. More often than not, they don’t seem to care who they hurt as long as they come out on top. But eventually, all their bad deeds catch up with them.
Todd Chrisley
Todd built an empire on Southern charm, expensive taste, and tight control over his perfectly curated “traditional” family. Chrisley Knows Best was supposed to showcase his picture-perfect life, but behind the designer blazers and one-liners was a storm brewing. And when it hit, it hit hard. Let’s start with the legal troubles. Todd and his wife, Julie Chrisley, were serving time for bank fraud and tax evasion to the tune of $30+ million. Not exactly God-fearing Southern gentleman behavior. Their reality TV image wasn’t just exaggerated. It was allegedly built on a mountain of lies, forged documents, and shady financial gymnastics.
Then there’s the parenting. Todd’s obsession with control bled into every aspect of his kids’ lives. From dictating their clothes (No Limited Too) to micromanaging their love lives, he ran the household with an iron fist wrapped in a pastel cardigan. And while it was played for laughs on TV, it clearly had consequences. His relationship with daughter Lindsie Chrisley became so strained that she cut ties completely. Publicly. On multiple occasions.
And we can’t skip his obsessive vanity. Todd was more invested in his Botox schedule than in half the plotlines on his own show. He used his appearance like armor, but as the legal walls closed in, the cracks in the façade grew harder to ignore. Todd’s downfall may have been spectacular, but for years, that downfall was actively hurting the people closest to him. All while he smiled for the cameras and quoted Scripture.
Kody Brown
Then we have Kody. The polygamist patriarch of Sister Wives, who somehow managed to turn a show about religious plural marriage into a years-long masterclass in emotional neglect. The father of 18 began the series with four wives. However, he has ended Season 19 with one wife, three exes, and a family that’s fractured beyond repair. And the wildest part? He still doesn’t seem to understand what went wrong. Let’s start with the parenting. Kody has openly favored some children over others, often showing up for Robyn Brown’s kids while ignoring birthdays and milestones for the rest. The emotional whiplash his children have endured, especially during COVID, when he enforced rules that only applied to certain households, was brutal to watch. And his husband credentials?
Even worse. He gaslit his wives for years, belittled their concerns, and then acted shocked when they left. Christine Brown’s exit was a TLC-worthy mic-drop, and Janelle Brown’s quiet departure was the final nail in the spiritual marriage coffin.
Then there’s the religious righteousness. Kody used faith to justify his behavior. But only when it suited him. The heavenly principle of plural marriage became a punchline as he slowly retreated into a monogamous corner with Robyn, all while insisting he was still operating under God’s plan. Kody’s financial dysfunction also deserves a shoutout. The Brown family’s money issues have been a recurring theme. From investing in empty land (hi, Coyote Pass) to juggling multiple mortgages while half the family lived in rentals. It was chaotic, unorganized, and ultimately unsustainable. And yet, through it all, Kody has maintained a shocking level of self-delusion. He still talks like he’s the head of a united family. Sir, three-fourths of your wives left you on camera.
The Winner: Kody Brown
As messy as Todd is and trust us, he’s a walking cautionary tale, Kody takes the crown. Why? Because Todd’s damage, while severe, came with a hard stop. The law intervened. The story had a clear arc. But Kody’s dysfunction is still unraveling, and it’s happening in real time. He continues to decimate relationships under the guise of leadership, using faith and favoritism to justify his every move. The emotional toll on his wives and children is ongoing. Todd may have been locked up, but Kody’s still out here emotionally bankrupting his family with no court date in sight.
Sister Wives is available to stream on TLC.
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