The Tanner Family’s Hidden History
If you grew up in the late ‘80s or early ‘90s, chances are you spent your evenings with the Tanner family — Danny, Jesse, Joey, and the girls who filled our screens with laughter and heart.
But behind the wholesome family moments and iconic catchphrases, Full House had its share of surprises. From casting changes to secret on-set drama, these 25 behind-the-scenes facts will make you see the show in a whole new light.
So grab your popcorn — it’s time to uncover the truth about one of TV’s most beloved sitcoms.
1. The Show Was Originally Called “House of Comics”
Before it became Full House, creator Jeff Franklin had pitched a show about three stand-up comedians living together. When ABC wanted a family show, the concept evolved — and the Tanner family was born.
2. Bob Saget Wasn’t the First Danny Tanner
Believe it or not, the original pilot didn’t star Bob Saget at all! Actor John Posey was cast first, but after the show got picked up, producers recast the role with Saget, who was their first choice all along.
3. The Olsens Were Only Nine Months Old When Cast
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen were hired because they were the calmest babies at the audition. The twins swapped in and out during filming to comply with child labor laws — and the rest is TV history.
4. “You Got It, Dude!” Wasn’t Scripted
Michelle Tanner’s iconic line came naturally. Mary-Kate reportedly said it during a rehearsal, and the writers loved it so much, they made it her signature phrase.
5. The Tanner House Is Real — Kind Of
The exterior of the Tanner home is a real house in San Francisco located at 1709 Broderick Street. But all interior scenes were filmed on a soundstage in Los Angeles.
6. John Stamos Almost Quit After the Pilot
Stamos later admitted he thought the show was “too cute” and nearly walked away. But after seeing how much fans loved it, he decided to stick around — and Uncle Jesse became one of the show’s biggest stars.
7. The Theme Song Almost Didn’t Happen
The theme song, “Everywhere You Look” by Jesse Frederick, became iconic. But ABC originally wanted to skip a theme altogether to make more room for ads. Thankfully, the producers fought to keep it.
8. Dave Coulier Inspired “Alanis Morissette’s” Hit Song
Rumor has it that Coulier — who played Joey Gladstone — was the ex-boyfriend referenced in Morissette’s song “You Oughta Know.” He’s never confirmed it outright, but the timing lines up perfectly.
9. Candace Cameron Bure Almost Didn’t Audition
Candace was hesitant to try out because her older brother, Kirk Cameron (Growing Pains), was already famous. Thankfully, she went for it — and D.J. Tanner became a household name.
10. Jesse’s Last Name Was Changed Mid-Season
In Season 1, Uncle Jesse’s last name was Cochran, but it was changed to Katsopolis to reflect John Stamos’ Greek heritage. Fans barely noticed the switch.
11. The Cast’s On-Set Bond Was 100% Real
Unlike many sitcom casts, the Full House family genuinely got along. They often hung out off-set and even vacationed together. Bob Saget once said, “We didn’t fake being a family — we were one.”
12. The Twins Had a Stand-In
When Mary-Kate and Ashley got tired during long filming days, a doll or a body double was sometimes used for wide shots. Yes — there were moments where Michelle Tanner wasn’t really there!
13. Becky Wasn’t Supposed to Stay
Lori Loughlin’s character, Rebecca Donaldson, was originally written for a few episodes. But viewers loved her chemistry with John Stamos so much that producers made her a series regular.
14. The Cast Sang the Theme Song on Set
During live tapings, the audience would often sing along to the theme. The atmosphere was so lively that it felt like attending a family reunion every week.
15. The Show’s Catchphrases Were Carefully Crafted
Lines like “Have mercy!” and “Cut it out!” weren’t accidental. Writers intentionally gave each character a repeatable, kid-friendly line to boost memorability. Smart marketing — and it worked.
16. The Tanner Family Dog Was Named After the Producer’s Pet
Remember Comet, the golden retriever? He was named after executive producer Tom Miller’s own dog. In real life, the dog’s name was Buddy, who also starred in the movie Air Bud.
17. There’s a Hidden Message in the Opening Sequence
If you look closely at the bridge shots in the intro, you’ll notice the camera pans in a different direction every season — symbolizing the family’s journey and growth.
18. The Audience Reactions Were Real
Unlike some sitcoms that used canned laughter, Full House filmed in front of a live studio audience, so every “aww” and “laugh” you hear was real.
19. It Was One of the Last Great Family Sitcoms of Its Era
By the late 1990s, family-based sitcoms were fading. Full House was one of the last shows to embody wholesome, multi-generational humor before the era of edgier TV began.
20. The Show Almost Ended Sooner
ABC considered canceling Full House after Season 6 due to costs, but strong syndication numbers kept it alive for two more seasons.
21. The Set Had a Hidden Game Room
Between scenes, the cast — especially the kids — played arcade games and air hockey in a secret backstage area built by producers to keep morale high.
22. Mary-Kate and Ashley Became Millionaires Before Age 10
Thanks to smart contracts, the Olsen twins earned huge royalties from Full House merchandise and reruns, setting them up for life long before their fashion empire began.
23. The Show’s Cancellation Shocked the Cast
When ABC canceled the show in 1995, many of the actors found out from the media before producers could break the news personally.
“We were heartbroken,” Jodie Sweetin said. “We didn’t even get a proper goodbye episode.”
24. Netflix’s Fuller House Revived Old Traditions
When Fuller House premiered in 2016, the adult cast continued the family tradition — same laughter, same house, same love. Bob Saget even joked that it felt like “coming home after a long vacation.”
25. The Tanner Family Lives On
Even though Fuller House ended in 2020, the cast still keeps in touch. They frequently reunite for birthdays, charity events, and fan conventions.
“Once a Tanner, always a Tanner,” said Andrea Barber. “That’s the truth.”
Conclusion: The Magic of the Tanner Family
Full House wasn’t just a sitcom — it was a cultural comfort blanket. It made people laugh, cry, and believe in family again, even when life got messy.
Every secret behind the show only adds to its magic — because the real story of Full House isn’t just what happened on screen… it’s how much love went into making it. 💛
FAQs
1. When did Full House originally air?
It ran from 1987 to 1995 on ABC.
2. Were the Olsen twins on Fuller House?
No, they chose not to return, focusing on their fashion careers instead.
3. Who played Uncle Jesse?
John Stamos, who became one of the show’s most popular characters.
4. Why did Full House end?
ABC canceled it due to high production costs, even though ratings were still strong.
5. Where can you stream Full House now?
The series is available on Max, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video.
