It was a big day for Netflix and sitcom lovers all around, because the Netflix Original Fuller House made its debut dawning 13 episodes to kick-off the much anticipated season. For the past few years there has always been talk on social media in hopes of bringing back shows from the ‘90s as either reruns or reboots to savour the beloved television shows that used to play. Last year, many T.V lovers were living their dreams by hearing John Stamos confirming that there will be a spin-off of Full House coming onto Netflix the following year.
The story of the spin-off follows mother DJ Tanner, after she lost her husband who was a firefighter in the line of duty. She is still adjusting to her crazy life raising three boys. She did not raise them on her own, thanks to her father, Danny Tanner, who has been helping her since the tragedy. Still trying to cope, Stephanie Tanner decides to step up along with Kimmy Gibbler to stay with DJ and help her raise her three boys.
So the whole plot of the show is Full House, but swapped.
Not that it is a bad thing, but predictably the cheesiness of the original show will rise again. The pilot was not that bad, but the creators made sure that everyone was onboard the Nostalgia Express. They opened the show playing the original theme song and having clips from the original production of Full House. They later shimmied into the new opening sequence which is the same song, except it is Carly Rae Jepsen’s rendition of the tune.
Moving on, Jesse Katsopolis is making sure everyone remembers his love for Elvis by showing what he bought for Baby Tommy (DJ’s third son) which is an Elvis onesie. Cute and straight to the point. Joey walks up from the basement and reminds everyone that he is still a child at heart by wearing Bugs Bunny pajamas. With each character being introduced, the writers were sure to add something that their character from Full House would either say or do, to give the sense that nothing has changed after all these years. DJ Fuller-Tanner walks in with a persona that she does in fact have her life together even though she has a full schedule ahead of her. Stephanie Tanner is still the outgoing-bubbly middle child that was so loveable, except there is a difference; she is now an international DJ. I could not even predict that coming from watching episodes where she carried her little pink lunchbox ready for Danny to take her to school. Another difference with the show is that Michelle Tanner (played by Ashley and Mary Kate Olsen) is nowhere to be found. Stephanie walks in the kitchen, says hello to everyone and asks where her younger sister is. Danny Tanner explains that is youngest daughter is off in New York, busy running her fashion empire. With that response, the entire casts looks into the camera and decides to break the fourth wall for what seems to be an entire minute of a sassy stare from the cast.
With one less original cast member, the producers were sure to fill the void with other characters that are sure to add excitement to the Fuller house. Alex and Nicky Katsopolis all grown up wanting to start a taco truck business, Kimmy Gibbler with her tween daughter Ramona, and the returning Hungry Hungry Hippo of the show, DJ’s past flame and now best friend, Steve Hale.
The first episode as a whole is not too bad actually, but I think they really wanted to beat down the fact that this show is meant to be a sort of continuation of the Tanner household. We all know Kimmy Gibbler could not stop from barging in and shouting “Hola Tanner-ritos!” once the show ended, so there was nothing to lose by showing that she still is her quirky, loud self after all these years.
I am not sure how this show will do entirely as a whole, but it does seem to be doing quite successful since it has been announced that Netflix will be coming out with a second season.
After the pilot I watched a few more to try to get the feel of what the creators of the show want to shoot out of their new product, and it was not surprising that with every passing episode there is always that family lesson that is to be learned by the audience and the sappy “aww” moment with each hug that is given, including group hugs.
With mixing the old traditions, “Say you’re sorry…And I love you…And hug it out” with the current years it is presented in, “I already know all the bad words; darn, booger, and Donald Trump” it is nice to see familiar faces on the screen, even if there isn’t a five year old girl giving you a thumbs up.