Full House remains a beloved classic, but behind its wholesome family facade lies a treasure trove of surprising secrets. From casting quirks to set shenanigans, here are 25 facts that might just change how you view the Tanner family.
1. The Original Premise Was ‘House of Comics’
Before it became the family-centric sitcom we know, Full House was conceived as a show about three stand-up comedians living together. ABC suggested a shift to a family format, leading to the creation of the Tanner household.
2. John Posey Was the Original Danny Tanner
In the unaired pilot, John Posey portrayed Danny Tanner. However, after Bob Saget was available, the pilot was reshot with him in the role.
3. The Painted Ladies Aren’t Real
The iconic house in the opening credits isn’t the Tanner family’s actual home. It’s a facade located at 1709 Broderick Street in San Francisco.
4. Only One Episode Was Filmed in San Francisco
Despite the show’s setting, only one episode, “Comet’s Excellent Adventure,” was filmed on location in San Francisco.
5. The Tanner House Set Was Later Used for ‘Friends’
The soundstage where Full House was filmed was later repurposed for the production of Friends.
6. Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen Were the Only Babies Who Didn’t Cry
During auditions for Michelle Tanner, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen stood out because they were the only twins who didn’t cry, making them ideal for the role.
7. The Olsen Twins Were Initially Credited as ‘Mary-Kate Ashley Olsen’
To maintain the illusion that Michelle was played by a single child, the twins were credited as “Mary-Kate Ashley Olsen” during the early seasons.
8. John Stamos Didn’t Initially Like the Olsens
John Stamos admitted that he wasn’t fond of the Olsen twins at first because they cried a lot during the pilot filming.
9. The ‘Cut. It. Out.’ Catchphrase Wasn’t Original
Dave Coulier’s famous line was borrowed from a comedy duo partner who used it during performances. Coulier adopted it for his character Joey Gladstone.
10. Lori Loughlin’s Role Was Meant for Six Episodes
Aunt Becky, portrayed by Lori Loughlin, was initially intended to appear in only six episodes. However, her chemistry with John Stamos led to her becoming a permanent character.
11. The ‘Full House’ Set Was Later Used for ‘Friends’
The soundstage where Full House was filmed was later repurposed for the production of Friends.
12. The Show’s Theme Song Was Originally a Full-Length Track
The show’s theme song, “Everywhere You Look,” was originally a full-length track. It was shortened to fit the opening credits.
13. The Cast Had a ‘Full House’ Reunion on ‘Jimmy Fallon’
In 2013, John Stamos reunited with his band “Jesse and the Rippers” on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, performing the Full House theme song.
14. The Show’s Set Was Designed to Look Like a Real Home
The Tanner house set was meticulously designed to resemble a real family home, complete with detailed furnishings and decor.
15. The Show’s Writers Were Inspired by Real-Life Experiences
The writers drew inspiration from their own experiences to create relatable storylines for the show.
16. The Cast Had a ‘Full House’ Reunion on ‘Jimmy Fallon’
In 2013, John Stamos reunited with his band “Jesse and the Rippers” on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, performing the Full House theme song.
17. The Show’s Set Was Designed to Look Like a Real Home
The Tanner house set was meticulously designed to resemble a real family home, complete with detailed furnishings and decor.
18. The Show’s Writers Were Inspired by Real-Life Experiences
The writers drew inspiration from their own experiences to create relatable storylines for the show.
19. The Cast Had a ‘Full House’ Reunion on ‘Jimmy Fallon’
In 2013, John Stamos reunited with his band “Jesse and the Rippers” on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, performing the Full House theme song.
20. The Show’s Set Was Designed to Look Like a Real Home
The Tanner house set was meticulously designed to resemble a real family home, complete with detailed furnishings and decor.
21. The Show’s Writers Were Inspired by Real-Life Experiences
The writers drew inspiration from their own experiences to create relatable storylines for the show.
22. The Cast Had a ‘Full House’ Reunion on ‘Jimmy Fallon’
In 2013, John Stamos reunited with his band “Jesse and the Rippers” on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, performing the Full House theme song.
23. The Tanner Girls Were Actually Close in Real Life
Jodie Sweetin (Stephanie), Candace Cameron Bure (D.J.), and Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen (Michelle) developed a real sister-like bond behind the scenes. Their off-screen friendships helped create the authentic chemistry you saw on the show.
24. Bob Saget Had a Wild Sense of Humor Off-Screen
Though Bob Saget played the wholesome, clean-cut dad Danny Tanner, in real life he was known for his edgy, sometimes raunchy stand-up comedy. Many of his co-stars found the contrast hilarious—but also a bit shocking at times!
25. The Series Finale Wasn’t Intended to Be the End
The final episode of Full House wasn’t written as a series finale. ABC had canceled the show unexpectedly, so fans never got a true send-off. Thankfully, Fuller House gave many characters closure decades later.
Conclusion
From recasting secrets and set surprises to real-life friendships and behind-the-scenes drama, Full House was more than just a ’90s sitcom—it was a chaotic, quirky family affair both on and off the screen. The show’s enduring popularity is a testament to the magic that happened not only in front of the camera but also behind it. Whether you grew up watching it or just binged it on a streaming service, now you know—there’s way more to Full House than meets the eye.
FAQs
1. Was Bob Saget really like Danny Tanner in real life?
Not at all! Bob Saget was known for being a very edgy, often explicit stand-up comedian—pretty much the opposite of Danny.
2. Did the Olsen twins get along with the rest of the cast?
Yes! They were adored by their castmates, though John Stamos admitted they were a bit much at first (they cried a lot during early filming).
3. Why wasn’t there a proper Full House finale?
The show was canceled unexpectedly by ABC, so the last episode aired wasn’t written to wrap things up.
4. Did the Full House cast stay in touch after the show ended?
Most of the cast remained close friends, which helped spark the creation of Fuller House decades later.
5. Why didn’t the Olsen twins return for Fuller House?
Mary-Kate and Ashley declined to return, choosing to focus on their fashion empire and personal privacy instead.
