In 1987, ABC debuted a show called “Full House” about a widower who raises his three daughters with help from his brother-in-law and best friend. It was corny and arguably terrible, but in that comfortable and sometimes heartwarming sort of way. The show was unapologetically sweet, and amidst the deliveries of “How rude,” “You got it, dude” and “Have mercy” were authentic nuggets about love and grief and growing up.
Nearly 30 years later (yes, you are that old), Netflix decided to capitalize on our nostalgia and resuscitate the gang for “Fuller House.” The concept is almost exactly the same: D.J. Tanner-Fuller recently lost her husband, and she moves into her childhood home with sister Stephanie and best friend Kimmy to raise her three sons and Kimmy’s daughter. What could go wrong?
A lot, it turns out. In an age of remakes and reboots, it seems like the industry has stopped questioning whether or not a story needs to be revisited. Did certain characters not receive closure? Is there more to tell? It’s not enough to say, “Well, people liked ‘Full House'” and then create a new show around that. But that seems to be what happened here.
Is there a spark of joy in seeing all (well, almost all—the Olsen twins apparently couldn’t be bought) our old friends gather around the Tanner kitchen table? Sure. In the first episode, “Fuller House” is comically self-aware as it fills the gaps in our characters’ lives while winking at the audience. Danny is still a neat freak! Jesse and Becky are still hot for each other! Michelle is running her fashion empire in New York (get it?!)!
But then … we’re supposed to continue on with D.J., Stephanie and Kimmy as the “adults” all go back to L.A. Their children are grating and victims of the Disney Channel effect—stylized hair, fashionable clothing and eye rolls so dramatic you could see them from space.
The joy in the original came from its authenticity. There was bedhead and tears and poorly dressed children. These kids barely acknowledge that their father has apparently just died. And while there are moments of self-doubt between D.J., Steph and Kimmy, they feel forced and fake, as if someone threw in 30 seconds of sadness because that’s what they were supposed to do.
“Fuller House” kept the catchphrases and terrible jokes, but someone forgot the heart. Netflix would have been better off ponying up for the original.
Fuller House
2:01 a.m. Friday, Netflix
1 out of 4 stars
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Binge meter
Episode count: 13
Episode length: 25-35 minutes
Total time: About 6.5 hours
Notes: You won’t get past the third episode, so this is unnecessary information.
Lauren Chval is a RedEye contributor. @lchval