| Howard and Harold McBride | |
|---|---|
| The Loud House characters | |
 Howard (left) and Harold (right) with Clyde | |
| First appearance | "Overnight Success" (2016) |
| Created by | Chris Savino Kevin Sullivan Darin McGowan |
| Voiced by |
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| Portrayed by |
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| In-universe information | |
| Nickname | Howie (Howard) Hare-Bear (Harold) |
| Gender | Males |
| Family | Gayle McBride (Harold's mother; Howard's mother-in-law) |
| Spouse | Each-other |
| Children | Clyde McBride (adopted son) |
| Nationality | American |
Howard and Harold McBride are a pair of fictional supporting characters in the American animated television series The Loud House and its resulting multimedia franchise on Nickelodeon. Howard is voiced by Michael McDonald and Harold was voiced by Wayne Brady until 2022 when he was replaced by Khary Payton. Their first appearance was in "Overnight Success", following several episodes in which they were only mentioned. The McBrides are significant as the first married gay couple to be featured in a Nickelodeon animated series.[1] The McBrides are notably also an interracial couple. Their introduction into the series was described as remarkable and caused a boost in ratings for the show.[2]
Howard and Harold are the adoptive gay fathers of Clyde McBride, who is a main character and the best friend of protagonist Lincoln Loud. Clyde's birth parents have never been seen. They shower Clyde with attention and rarely let him do anything unsupervised. Howard is sensitive and neurotic, often getting overemotional while watching Clyde grow up. Harold's parenting style contrasts with Howard's; he is calm, collected, and concerned with Clyde's safety and health above everything else, but also a little more willing to be lenient. The McBrides serve as foils to Lincoln's less worrisome parents.
The characters have been met with praise from television critics and fans for being a positive representation of an interracial gay married couple. Positive reviews of the series have also called attention to the lack of focus placed on their sexual orientations, as well as their depiction as fit and capable LGBT parents. The characters' portrayals have received accolades and nominations from organizations including GLAAD, NAMIC, and South Florida Gay News. However, the introduction of the characters resulted in some controversy and censorship of the series.
- ^ Foust, Michael (July 19, 2016). "Nickelodeon kids' cartoon 'Loud House' to feature married gay couple – right after 'SpongeBob SquarePants'". Christian Examiner. Selah Media Group.
- ^ Wolff, Kate (July 20, 2016). "Nickelodeon 'making history' by introducing first same-sex married couple". The Independent. Retrieved August 1, 2018.