Aired: 1991-1994 (Nickelodeon)
DAD: Sam’s Dad (unnamed?)/ Divorced
DAD’S JOB: Attorney
KIDS: Sam (Sean O’Neal) (15)
WHERE’S MOM?: Debbie / Divorced, lives in Seattle
STAND-IN “MOM”: Janet Darling, Clarissa’s Mom
How about a peripheral character having the Single Dad? Sam, Clarissa’s next-door neighbor/confidant, has a dad who works for the local newspaper. Both Sam’s father and mother (Debbie) have been the subject of several episodes.
Debbie left Sam’s Dad for a career in the Roller Derby. In one episode, Debbie returns to make a new life with Sam. She plans to take Sam away to Seattle, where they will live in a mobile home while running a laundromat/health food store. Fortunately, Sam (with Clarissa’s help) convinces his mother that his home is with Dad. An interesting internal custody battle; as far as I can tell, it’s a TV first.