Synopsis of TV Show

Let's get this straight: the house wasn't really "full." Did you see that place? It was huge! Sure, D.J. and Steph shared a bedroom, but if worse came to worse, there were probably a few spare rooms hiding in the attic somewhere. But we digress... Let's just say the house was "fuller" (or "more full," if you will) than it used to be.

Full House was a family sitcom about a widower who enlisted the help of his best friend and brother-in-law to help out with the raising of his three daughters. But such a simple statement can't capture the phenomenon of this long-running series. Filled with sweetness and humor, the series lasted eight seasons, practically defined ABC's Friday night "TGIF" lineup, and made improbable stars out of young twins Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen.

Comedian Bob Saget starred as family patriarch Danny Tanner, an incredibly nice guy who worked as a sportscaster and eventually hosted a local San Francisco talk show. Aside from raising his three girls—grade-schooler Donna Jo (a.k.a. D.J.), kindergartner Stephanie, and baby Michelle (played alternately by the Olsens)—Danny also had to keep an eye on his less responsible housemates. Dave Coulier played Danny’s comedian friend Joey Gladstone, and touring Beach Boy John Stamos played the girls’ uncle, rock n’ roller Jesse "Don't touch the hair" Katsopolous. Joey entertained the girls with his cartoon voices (which he later used as Saturday morning host Ranger Joe), while Jesse was the cool uncle who taught the girls to love Elvis. Also popping over occasionally was D.J.'s annoying friend, Kimmy Gibbler.

You can see the fullness spreading, but there was still plenty of room left under that San Franciscan roof. In 1988, Jesse met and married Danny’s co-host Becky Donaldson. In the fall of 1991, banking on the enormous popularity of the Olsen twins, Becky gave birth to twins Nicholas and Alexander. An unusual aspect of the show was that Michelle aged in real time (as opposed to Family Ties' Andrew Keaton and or Growing Pains' Chrissy Seaver, who went from infants to pre-schoolers in the blink of an eye), and was always played by Mary-Kate and Ashley. Thus the girls, who were nine years old when the show ended, literally grew up on TV. Even when Michelle got older, both Olsen twins continued taking turns playing her on the show.

The whole family seemed destined for showbiz, with Jesse and Joey eventually co-hosting a radio show called “The Rush Hour Renegades.” Jesse also wrote commercial jingles, formed his own band (Jesse and the Rippers), and opened up the ultra-hip Smash Club. Meanwhile, D.J. dated a series of boys, including long-time steady Steve Hale. In the last season, she had a hard time deciding between bad boy Viper and rich-kid Nelson Burkhard. Danny also found love for a short time with Vicky Larson, and though the two were engaged, it ultimately didn’t last.

The full house eventually emptied out when the series was cancelled in 1995, but the show remains a favorite of those who grew up with the Tanner kids. Mary-Kate and Ashley went on to spawn their own mini-empire of videos, dolls, fashion and more. You've come a long way, baby Michelle.

Release History of Prime Time Show

9/22/87 - 8/29/95 ABC

TV Sub Categories

comedy

Television Network

ABC

Television Studio

Warner Bros. TV

TV Cast

Jesse (Cochran) Katsopolis John Stamos
Danny Tanner Bob Saget
Joey Gladstone Dave Coulier
Donna Jo "D.J." Tanner Candace Cameron Bure
Stephanie Tanner Jodie Sweetin
Michelle Tanner Mary-Kate Olsen
Michelle Tanner Ashley Olsen
Rebecca "Becky" Donaldson Katsopolis (1988-95) Lori Loughlin
Kimmy Gibbler Andrea Barber
Steve Hale (1992-94) Scott Weinger
Nicky Katsopolis (1992-95) Blake Tuomy-Wilhoit
Alex Katsopolis (1992-95) Dylan Tuomy-Wilhoit
Nick Katsopolis (1988-91) John Aprea
Vicky Larson (1991-93) Gail Edwards
Derek S. Boyd (1992-95) Blake McIver Ewing
Aaron Bailey (1990-95) Miko Hughes
Viper (1994-95) David Lipper
Nelson Burkhard (1994-95) Jason Marsden
Duane (1995) Scott Menville
Rusty (1990-91) Jordan Christopher Michael
Roxy (1994) Felicia Michaels
Terri (1992-95) Sara Moonves
Teddy (1991-95) Tahj Mowry
Mr. Strowbridge (1988-95) Richard Paul
icky Katsopolis (1991-92) Daniel Renteria
Alex Katsopolis (1991-92) Kevin Renteria
Cindy (1990) Debra Sandlund
Denise Frazer Jurnee Smollett
Gia Mahan (1993-95) Marla Sokoloff
Mrs. Carruthers (1993-95) Marcia Wallace
Irene Katsopolis (1988-91) Yvonne Wilder
Lisa Leeper Kathryn Zaremba

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