# Pittsburgh Dad

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Pittsburgh_Dad
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Pittsburgh_Dad.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pittsburgh_Dad
> Source revision: 1317931415
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

***Pittsburgh Dad*** is an online series of [short films](/source/Short_film) featuring the observations of a [blue-collar](/source/Blue-collar) father from [Pittsburgh](/source/Pittsburgh) who speaks with a thick [Pittsburghese](/source/Western_Pennsylvania_English) dialect.[1][2] The series was created by Chris Preksta and Curt Wootton in 2011. Wootton plays the namesake character of Pittsburgh Dad in the series.

## Background

Preksta, a native of [Munhall, Pennsylvania](/source/Munhall,_Pennsylvania) and a graduate of [Point Park University](/source/Point_Park_University) and [Pittsburgh Filmmakers](/source/Pittsburgh_Filmmakers), serves as director.[2][3] Wootton, a native of [Greensburg, Pennsylvania](/source/Greensburg,_Pennsylvania) who graduated from [West Virginia University](/source/West_Virginia_University), plays the "Pittsburgh Dad".[2] Wootton and Preksta met on the set of the 2005 web series *Captain Blasto*.[2] They later collaborated on *[The Mercury Men](/source/The_Mercury_Men)* for the [Syfy](/source/Syfy) network, where Wootton entertained the crew with a character based on his own father, Keith, emulating the thick [Western Pennsylvania](/source/Western_Pennsylvania) accent of his youth.[2][3] The *[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette](/source/Pittsburgh_Post-Gazette)* describes the character as "[Archie Bunker](/source/Archie_Bunker) from [Dahntahn](/source/Downtown_Pittsburgh) or [S'Liberty](/source/East_Liberty_(Pittsburgh)) or [Little Warshington](/source/Washington,_Pennsylvania)," referencing Pittsburgh locales.[2]

Each episode lasts about two to nine minutes and opens with a piano theme song reminiscent of the intro to another Pittsburgh-based program, *[Mister Rogers' Neighborhood](/source/Mister_Rogers'_Neighborhood)*.[2] Each show features the Pittsburgh Dad delivering soliloquies on topics including "grass clippings," "freeze pops," and "[jagoffs](/source/Jagoff) in [Baltimore](/source/Baltimore)/[Philadelphia](/source/Philadelphia)," all punctuated by an exaggerated [laugh track](/source/Laugh_track),[2][4] which would eventually be removed.

The idiosyncrasies of the Pittsburgh dialect plays a large role in the show, including such regional words as "[yinz](/source/Yinz)," which means "you (plural)"; "nebby", which describes a nosy person; and "redd up", an idiomatic phrase (imported from [Scots](/source/Scots_language) into regional American English) which means to clean up and/or to make a space orderly.[5][6]

On February 11, 2019, Keith Wootton, the father of Curt Wootton and one of the major inspirations for the series, died.[7]

## Reception

The first several episodes were recorded "just for fun" on an [iPhone](/source/IPhone), with the intended audience only the two men's families and friends.[3] It quickly became an Internet hit, generating 3 million [YouTube](/source/YouTube) views within 6 months.[2][3] The series appeals to both current and ex-Pittsburghers, many of whom relate to the character's speech patterns and temperament.[2]

In 2011, the *[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette](/source/Pittsburgh_Post-Gazette)* named it the 3rd best internet video of the year.[8]

In November 2012, both Preksta and Wootton were hosts and guests of the annual [Three Rivers Film Festival](/source/Three_Rivers_Film_Festival) in Pittsburgh.[9]

In October 2013, Pittsburgh restaurant chain Eat'n Park issued a special edition "Smiley Cookie" bearing Pittsburgh Dad's face; the cookie, which was to raise funds for [UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh](/source/UPMC_Children's_Hospital_of_Pittsburgh), was the first ever Smiley Cookie to feature the likeness of a living person.[10]

Based on the mention of Hills in the *Back to the Future*-themed episode as well as several episodes of Dad wearing Hills-themed attire, a Pittsburgh-based [candle](/source/Candle) company released a "Pittsburgh Dad's Hills Snack Bar" scented candle that is supposed to replicate the smell of the popular [snack bar](/source/Snack_bar) from the now-defunct chain.[11]

### Controversy

On January 4, 2015, a video quickly surfaced of Wootton being out of character at a bar watching both the Steelers [playoff game](/source/2014%E2%80%9315_NFL_playoffs#AFC:_Baltimore_Ravens_30.2C_Pittsburgh_Steelers_17) against the Baltimore Ravens as well as the [Pittsburgh Penguins](/source/Pittsburgh_Penguins) game against the [Montreal Canadiens](/source/Montreal_Canadiens) that were playing concurrently. In the video, a [drunken](/source/Alcohol_intoxication) Wootton criticized the Penguins game and [ice hockey](/source/Ice_hockey) in general in a profanity-laced rant caused by the Steelers losing the game to their [archrival](/source/Ravens%E2%80%93Steelers_rivalry); both games resulted in lopsided defeats for the Pittsburgh teams. The next day, Wootton acknowledged the incident happening and apologized on his official [Facebook](/source/Facebook) page.[12] The following episode of *Pittsburgh Dad* posted January 7, 2015, poked fun at the incident, with Dad (all covered in Penguins gear in his kitchen) [poking fun at Wootton](/source/Self-deprecation) and at the end of the episode [breaking the fourth wall](/source/Fourth_wall) by acknowledging that *Pittsburgh Dad* is a series.[13] The incident would later be briefly referenced in the episode "Dad Goes Back to the Future."[14]

## In other media

The *[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette](/source/Pittsburgh_Post-Gazette)* has published guest columns written by "Pittsburgh Dad," including one for [Father's Day](/source/Father's_Day) 2013.[15]

On December 19, 2014, [WPXI](/source/WPXI) aired a Pittsburgh Dad-themed [Christmas](/source/Christmas) special, *Pittsburgh Dad's Guide to Christmas*. Hosted by [WQED](/source/WQED_(TV)) personality [Rick Sebak](/source/Rick_Sebak), the special showed Pittsburgh Dad's previous Christmas specials, as well as debuting a new one at the end. The 1960s-era [NBC](/source/NBC) ["Laramie Peacock"](/source/Logo_of_NBC#1962.E2.80.931975) made a [cameo appearance](/source/Cameo_appearance) at the beginning of the special.[16]

On July 19, 2017, Pittsburgh Dad aired his first short film, *Street Light Stories*. The special detailed what family life was like in Pittsburgh circa summer 1987.[17] The film, while having the characters from *Pittsburgh Dad*, is considered by Wootton to be [non-canon](/source/Canon_(fiction)) to the main *Pittsburgh Dad* series.[18] Due to the popularity of the film, Wootton and Preskta launched a [Kickstarter](/source/Kickstarter) campaign to create a sequel; the Kickstarter campaign proved so successful it allowed Wootton and Preskta to produce two sequels.[19]

Wootton (in character as Dad) and Preskta appeared on the January 31, 2020, episode of *[The Price is Right](/source/The_Price_Is_Right_(American_game_show))*, sitting in the audience. After the taping, host [Drew Carey](/source/Drew_Carey) allowed Wootton to spin [The Big Wheel](/source/The_Price_Is_Right_(American_game_show)#Showcase_Showdown), during which he nags at Deb & the kids to not use as much utilities and "also hi to [Coach Cowher](/source/Bill_Cowher)".[20] Wootton and Preskta were at the December 2019 taping of the episode in order to tape a special episode of *Pittsburgh Dad* after becoming "[Twitter](/source/Twitter) friends" with native [Clevelander](/source/Cleveland) Carey, as well as a follow-up to a 2014 episode of *Pittsburgh Dad* watching *The Price is Right* at home.[21][22]

## References

1. Rotstein, Gary (March 12, 2012). ["The Morning File / Kids, listen up: This Pittsburgh paterfamilias has some edicts"](http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/opinion/perspectives/the-morning-file-kids-listen-up-this-pittsburgh-paterfamilias-has-some-edicts-222780/). *[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette](/source/Pittsburgh_Post-Gazette)*

1. Fuoco, Michael A. (December 3, 2011). ["'Pittsburgh Dad' is an Internet sensation"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120620155812/http://old.post-gazette.com/pg/11337/1194393-53-0.stm). *[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette](/source/Pittsburgh_Post-Gazette)*. Archived from [the original](http://old.post-gazette.com/pg/11337/1194393-53-0.stm) on June 20, 2012. Retrieved May 12, 2012.

1. Weaver, Rachel (May 8, 2012). ["'Pittsburgh Dad' passes 3 million views on YouTube"](http://triblive.com/home/1511184-74/dad-pittsburgh-preksta-wootton-says-guys-episode-character-episodes-minutes). *[Pittsburgh Tribune-Review](/source/Pittsburgh_Tribune-Review)*

1. ["Pittsburgh Dad: Watching The Penguins"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160305151253/http://starpittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2012/04/11/pittsburgh-dad-watching-the-penguins/). *[WBZZ](/source/WBZZ)*. [CBS Radio](/source/CBS_Radio). April 11, 2012. Archived from [the original](http://starpittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2012/04/11/pittsburgh-dad-watching-the-penguins/) on March 5, 2016. Retrieved May 12, 2012.

1. ["Online video series celebrates the Pittsburgh dad"](https://www.chron.com/news/article/Online-video-series-celebrates-the-Pittsburgh-dad-2292967.php). *[Associated Press](/source/Associated_Press)*. November 25, 2011.

1. ["Hey! You Kids Better Be Watchin' Pittsburgh Dad N'at!"](https://archive.today/20130210001709/http://www.wtae.com/Hey-You-Kids-Better-Be-Watchin-Pittsburgh-Dad-N-at/-/9681798/7705450/-/ruecmwz/-/index.html). *[WTAE-TV](/source/WTAE-TV)*. December 5, 2011. Archived from [the original](http://www.wtae.com/Hey-You-Kids-Better-Be-Watchin-Pittsburgh-Dad-N-at/-/9681798/7705450/-/ruecmwz/-/index.html) on February 10, 2013.

1. ["RIP to the real-life 'Pittsburgh Dad' ... Curt Wootton's father, Keith, the inspiration for the popular comedy character, has died"](https://www.wtae.com/article/pittsburgh-dad-curt-wootton-father-dies/26330888). *WTAE*. February 13, 2019. Retrieved February 13, 2019.

1. McCoy, Adrian (March 12, 2012). ["Best Web Video: Danny MacAskill"](http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/ae/movie-reviews/best-web-video-danny-macaskill-225341/). *[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette](/source/Pittsburgh_Post-Gazette)*

1. ["Three Rivers Film festival schedule -- Week 3 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette"](http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/ae/movies/3-rivers-film-festival-schedule-week-3-662097/). *Pittsburgh Post-Gazette*. November 15, 2012.

1. Heyl, Eric (October 15, 2013). ["Eat'n Park cookies a tribute to Pittsburgh Dad show's success"](http://triblive.com/opinion/ericheyl/4885993-74/pittsburgh-dad-eat). *[Pittsburgh Tribune Review](/source/Pittsburgh_Tribune_Review)*. Retrieved October 16, 2013.

1. ["Pittsburgh Dad's Hills Snack Bar | Sugar Creek Candle Company"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160422152008/http://www.sugarcreekcandlecompany.com/product/pittsburgh-dads-hills-snack-bar/). Archived from [the original](https://www.sugarcreekcandlecompany.com/product/pittsburgh-dads-hills-snack-bar/) on April 22, 2016. Retrieved April 22, 2016.

1. [‘Pittsburgh Dad’ Apologizes For Video Rant About Penguins](http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/01/05/pittsburgh-dad-apologizes-for-video-rant-about-penguins/) [KDKA-TV](/source/KDKA-TV) (01/05/2015)

1. ["PITTSBURGH DAD WATCHES "JAGOFF IN BAR" VIDEO"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Be29vsRhcFk). [YouTube](/source/YouTube). January 7, 2015.

1. [Dad Goes Back to the Future](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PiOM3EdKKg) *Pittsburgh Dad* (July 14, 2015)

1. Pittsburgh Dad (June 16, 2013). ["Father's Day: That holiday yinz can't be just overlookin'"](http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/life/lifestyle/fathers-day-that-holiday-yinz-cant-be-just-overlookin-691896/). *[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette](/source/Pittsburgh_Post-Gazette)*. Retrieved June 16, 2013.

1. ['Pittsburgh Dad' Christmas special coming to WPXI-TV](http://www.wpxi.com/news/news/local/pittsburgh-dad-christmas-special-coming-wpxi-tv/njQFr/?ref=cbTopWidget) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20141220032049/http://www.wpxi.com/news/news/local/pittsburgh-dad-christmas-special-coming-wpxi-tv/njQFr/?ref=cbTopWidget) December 20, 2014 at the Wayback Machine [WPXI](/source/WPXI) (12/09/2014)

1. ["Street Light Stories"](https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1498956703495373&id=234699749921081). *Facebook.com*

1. ["Facebook"](https://www.facebook.com/pittsburghdad/photos/a.348681825189539.77102.234699749921081/975090999215282/?type=1&theater). *Facebook.com*

1. ["Street Light Stories: Part II"](https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cpreksta/street-light-stories-part-ii). *Kickstarter.com*. Retrieved November 12, 2021.

1. Brendza, Zach (January 31, 2020). ["Pittsburgh Dad spins wheel on 'Price is Right' stage"](https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-dad-spins-wheel-on-price-is-right-stage/). *TribLIVE.com*

1. Brendza, Zach (December 5, 2019). ["Pittsburgh Dad stops at 'The Price is Right,' will have CBS game show-themed episode"](https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-dad-makes-stop-at-the-price-is-right/). *TribLIVE.com*

1. ["DAD WATCHING THE PRICE IS RIGHT"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0H98U-STcw). [YouTube](/source/YouTube). September 4, 2014.

## External links

- [Official website](https://www.pghdad.com/)
- [Dad Pittsburgh Dad](https://www.youtube.com/Pittsburgh) on YouTube
- [Pittsburgh Dad](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6456786/) at IMDb

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Pittsburgh Dad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pittsburgh_Dad) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pittsburgh_Dad?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.