I'm a firm believer in the idea if it's not broken, don't fix it. But unfortunately we live in a world where nostalgia rules and there are those who crave it. "Full House" is something we all grew up watching. I don't care how macho you are, don't deny watching "Full House" after school, on weekends, and every time in between that. I love "Full House" even though if it was on today I would never watch it. It was cheesy, filled with catchphrases, and life lessons - everything I'm against. I was the type of kid who stopped paying attention when it stopped being funny and the violins came out. I knew I didn't need a life lesson and wholesome family friendliness genuinely makes me feel uneasy. But I loved it all the same.
I love "Boy Meets World" and it was truthfully one of my favorite shows when I was younger. I had a crush on Shawn and thought Cory and Topanga were the world's greatest couple. When Disney announced the release of "Girl Meets World" I pretended to be excited and kept my opinions to myself. I watched the first few episodes and found it excruciating. I didn't expect much with a revival and same goes for "Fuller House."
I was a mere month old when "Full House" ended in 1995 therefore I've seen every episode at least four times and can recite the theme song backwards. Every generation will watch this show. Even my parents, who would have been too old for the show's demographic, watched it when it first premiered. My cousin, who is 11 years younger than me, has watched "Full House" because the show is still relevant today. There was already enough "Full House" in the world, but we were given 13 more episodes for some reason.
The first episode ("Our Very First Show, Again") was painful with references. There is no reason I would have ever wanted a 34-year old Stephanie Tanner (Jodie Sweetin) to screech "How rude!" but I got it anyway. The show is self aware in terms of corn and cheese. Uncle Jesse (John Stamos) said he always heard violins and Stephanie makes a joke how she and DJ (Candace Cameron) hugged four times in one minute. The show even breaks the fourth wall by staring into the camera for what seems like a lifetime after someone mentions how Michelle (Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen) won't be home visiting San Francisco because she's in New York City with her fashion empire.
The show is a mirrored image of the original. DJ Fuller has her three boys, a full-time job as a veterinarian, and simply needs help. DJ mirrors her father Danny (Bob Saget), whose husband has died a hero's death. Her best friend Kimmy Gibbler (Andrea Barber), and her 13-year old daughter, and Aunt Stephanie move in, filling in for Joey (Dave Coulier) and Uncle Jesse, respectively. The show is, overall, as good as a Disney Channel show and that is not necessarily a bad thing. It means people will watch it, at least. But while the original concept of the show stays intact, the revival is the exact opposite of the original. There are no life lessons, no violins, and only one annoying catchphrase ("holy chalupas," said by 7-year old Max, played by Elias Harger). The show is more about the women of the household than the children. Kimmy and Stephanie drink margaritas while watching the baby and tequila is mentioned more than once throughout the entire season (something we would never hear under Danny Tanner's roof!). The show attempts to make middle son of DJ even cuter by having puppies suffocating him with snuggles and cuddles (and it works, I found myself fawning over the puppy more than anything else). Gibbler is still Gibbler and that is probably the best part of the show.
The most "Fuller House" can be is a filler for entertainment and actual good TV programming. I don't watch sitcoms like this (I'm more of a "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" or "Modern Family" girl than "Friends" or "Seinfeld") and I hate laugh tracks and fake sets. The innuendo was cheap and made even this 20 year old who makes dick jokes on the regular slightly uncomfortable.
There are the subtle references to the old series a true fan will appreciate. Kimmy teaches Stephanie to change the baby's diaper while Max watches and in the first episode of "Full House" Joey and Jesse teach each other to change Michelle's diaper while Stephanie looks on. The power goes out at Ramona's (Soni Bringas) 13th birthday party and Stephanie tells everyone to find a partner and start making out. Stephanie was invited to a make out party at a similar age. When Kimmy walks down the aisle for her remarriage to her ex-husband we are reminiscent of Becky's (Lori Loughlin) awkward walk down the aisle the first time she attempts to marry Jesse in Las Vegas.
There are the big questions concerning "Fuller House" though. How did Steve (Scott Weinger) become a foot doctor when he's....Steve? How did Kimmy land the sexy Latin ex-husband? How did Stephanie become the world famous DJ called DJ Tanner? Who is the hot wife Danny found? How are Danny and Becky still on air after all these years and are getting their own nationwide morning show??? The most the show was for me was a run down memory lane (I would say walk, but I binge watched 13 episodes after all).