“Fuller House”: A Winning Update to a Beloved Comedy

Young and old will enjoy feel good show

AbbieJayne Cristoforo, Contributor

The popular ABC television sitcom, “Full House,” which ran from 1987 to 1995, is back as “Fuller House.” Jeff Franklin has created and executive produced the show for Netflix. Just as the title suggests, the popular family orientated show welcomes back most of its original cast with some new additions. Candace Cameron Bure resumes her role as DJ Tanner (now DJ Tanner-Fuller), all grown up and trying to cope with the recent death of her husband while raising three young boys. DJ’s children are 13-year-old Jackson (Michael Campion), 7-year-old Max (Elias Harger), and baby Tommy (Fox and Dashiell Messitt). Stephanie (Jodie Sweetin), DJ’s younger sister, and Kimmy (Andrea Barber), her best friend, move into the original Tanner home and offer to help out the struggling widow. Added to the cast is Ramona (Soni Bringas), Kimmy’s 13-year-old daughter, and there are guest appearances by original cast members Danny Tanner (Bob Saget), Uncle Jesse (John Stamos) and his wife Becky (Lori Loughlin), and Uncle Joey (David Alan Coulier). Noticeably missing are Mary Kate and Ashely Olsen, who shared the role of Michelle, DJ and Stephanie’s baby sister.

Each and every actor portrays a believable role as part of a tight knit family unit.

— AbbieJayne Cristoforo

While the script has many references to the previous series, it has been updated to give it a 2016 vibe. The show continues its feel good theme with a solution to every problem at the end of each 30-minute-episode. Many of the episodes deal with life’s lighter issues, such as dating, sibling rivalry and embarrassing parents. Other episodes take on more serious issues like dealing with the loss of a parent, divorce and lying. Each and every actor portrays a believable role as part of a tight knit family unit. Even the young cast members seem to fit right into the new fuller version of the beloved series.

The series is enjoyed by both adults and children of all ages, many of whom either watched the show when it originally aired or enjoyed the reruns on Nickelodeon. “Fuller House” is one of those very rare shows currently on television that parents and kids can watch together. Everyone can laugh, cry and relate to the characters and situations being dealt with by the Tanners and their extended family. Season One leaves the viewer counting down the days until the release of Season Two.