Shocking Revelations: Unveiling John Stamos' Untold 'Full House' Secrets

John Stamos. Noam Galai/Getty Images for SiriusXM

John Stamos had different aspirations for his enduring legacy, and Full House was not initially part of his plans. The successful ABC series aired for eight years, starting from 1987 to 1995. The storyline revolved around Danny Tanner, played by Bob Saget, who faced the challenging task of raising his three daughters: D.J. portrayed by Candace Cameron Bure, Stephanie portrayed by Jodie Sweetin, and Michelle portrayed by Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen, following the tragic death of his wife. To assist him in this endeavor, Danny's brother-in-law Jesse Katsopolis, portrayed by Stamos, and his best friend Joey Gladstone, portrayed by Dave Coulier, moved in, adding a 3 Men and a Baby dynamic to the show.

Stamos candidly shared his experience as Uncle Jesse on the ABC series in his recently released memoir, If You Would Have Told Me. In the book, which became available on October 24th, the actor expresses how his initial excitement for being cast in a popular multi-camera sitcom quickly diminished when he realized that the child actors were the ones receiving all the attention.

"In 1987, during filming of the pilot, I could already see a future where these adorable child characters, with their irritating catchphrases, would become sensations," Stamos wrote. He recalled feeling overshadowed by the young talent, particularly singling out "scene-stealer" Sweetin, whose popularity with the audience meant that his own lines were often drowned out. Stamos even humorously reflected on how, once the child actors hit puberty and transformed into awkward teenagers, he would be forgotten like other surrogate fathers from shows like Webster or Diff'rent Strokes.

Full House initially had disappointing viewership during its first airing but later became a hit through summer reruns. The beloved series lasted for seven seasons, and Stamos formed lifelong bonds with the cast and crew. In 2016, he reprised his role for several episodes in the Netflix revival, Fuller House.

In his memoir, Stamos reflected on the reasons behind Full House's ultimate success. While shooting season 1, he remembers thinking, "There's genuine and touching emotion here if we have enough time to develop it." He acknowledges that critics may be contemptuous about the story, but it resonates with parents who can enjoy it with their kids. The show may be cheesy, but it bravely embraces sentimentality in a nostalgic way. There are some jokes that fall flat, but there are enough moments that are charmingly funny.

Keep scrolling for all of the biggest Full House takeaways in Stamos’ memoir:

Stamos Wants Out

Stamos shared his experience filming the pilot of Full House at Sony Studios in 1987. He described the set as being filled with excitement and enthusiastic mothers, who were fans of the soap opera General Hospital. (Stamos had previously appeared on the show from 1982 to 1984.)

According to Stamos, he quickly realized that he was the main attraction of the show, as he received the loudest applause when the creator, Jeff Franklin, introduced the cast. He remembered thinking that there was a lot of pressure on him, but he was confident that he would excel.

However, things took a drastic turn for the worse when the word "action" was shouted.

In a particular scene involving Sweetin, Stamos praised her remarkable timing and adorable appearance, comparing her to a bag full of peacefully slumbering kittens. Stamos mentioned that with each tremendous laughter she received, he gradually sank lower in his seat until he was practically on the verge of falling off the table. The succeeding events became a complete blur.

When the final scene required all the cast members to gather around Michelle’s crib and sing the Flinstones theme song, Stamos sarcastically remarked that he was having a terrible time. As soon as the director yelled cut, he hurriedly made his way to the lobby and immediately contacted his agent. “Get me out of this show!” he pleaded.

Stamos, who desperately wished to regain some respect in his next project, admitted that he was eager to escape from this family-friendly nightmare, even though his contract bound him to finish the pilot. The actor made a vow to remain professional, fully expecting the series to crash and burn even faster than his already damaged reputation.

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Olsen Twin Drama

Stamos remembered struggling with Mary-Kate and Ashley during the early episodes of Full House, humorously noting that their poor timing often led to frustration.

"Inevitably, when it was Stephanie's turn to deliver her line, 'Are you going to cook Michelle?' there was complete silence from Mary-Kate and/or Ashley. The audience would burst into laughter," he recounted, referring to a specific incident on set. "And then, as if the mischievous little one were deliberately toying with us, she would suddenly start screaming just as Joey was speaking his line."

Stamos remembered struggling to deliver his comedic lines amidst the loud cries of the baby, while he and Coulier struggled to use tongs to change her dirty diaper.

The chaotic scenario caused Stamos to angrily confront Franklin and insist that the Olsen twins should be let go, threatening to quit the show himself. He believed that their presence would be detrimental to both the show's success and his own career.

After adhering to Stamos' requests and dismissing the Olsens and their diaper bags, Franklin promptly introduced a fresh pair of impeccably well-behaved twins to the set. Stamos admitted that these replacements were exceptionally quiet, composed, and unattractive. Realizing his misjudgment, Stamos pleaded with Franklin to retrieve the Olsens, who remained backstage.

“I can’t help but wonder if Jeff deliberately chose the homely twins fully aware that I wouldn’t like them and would beg to get Mary-Kate and Ashley back,” he wrote.

Fighting for the Olsens Affection

Michelle quickly became the most sought-after character to share a scene with, despite the initial challenges of working with the Olsen twins. Stamos developed a fondness for Mary-Kate and Ashley, spending time with them off-screen, which inspired the writers to create more Jesse and Michelle stories.

While playing the baby's father, Saget frequently expressed his frustration about Jesse receiving the best scenes with the twins.

"When it comes to photoshoots or promotional events for the show, Bob and I frequently engage in friendly competition to be the privileged one holding Michelle," Stamos disclosed. "We playfully debate over who deserves to be at the center or have individual pictures alongside Mary-Kate or Ashley."

Stamos reminisced about a specific photoshoot session with the esteemed photographer Annie Leibovitz, where they stubbornly argued about this matter until she decided to remove everyone from the set except for himself and Mary-Kate."

Changing His Tune

He shared a photograph where Jesse and Michelle, wrapped in a cozy blanket, appear equally innocent, capturing the essence of the show in a single frame.

Stamos revealed that he developed an affinity for the show after the first season, despite its lack of a large following. When his agent expressed concerns that Full House might be losing popularity, Stamos found himself defending the series and its significance to its fans.

"I recount an encounter with a single father who is raising two children alone," he explained. "For his kids, Full House creates a sense of family, even though it may not be traditional. I informed my team that the show and its cast are starting to hold meaning for me, and I hope to continue for another season or two."

Stamos mentioned that his confession left his agent in shock, as the actor had been eager to leave the show. "Unlike you guys, I actually have a heart," Stamos responded, although he clarified that he was only joking to some extent.

Three’s a Crowd?

Danny, Jesse, and Joey formed a tight trio on screen. However, Stamos revealed that Saget often felt unsettled by his close bond with Coulier when they were off-camera.

"Before I entered the picture, Bob and Dave were best friends," Stamos clarified. "Dave and I are both single, living carefree lives. On the other hand, Bob is married and expecting another child." (Saget had three daughters named Aubrey, Lara, and Jenny with his ex-wife Sherri Kramer before their divorce in 1997.)

Stamos conveyed to Saget that he is the sole father among the three of them and encouraged him to infuse his character with that quality. "There is an authenticity that I believe Danny Tanner lacks. However, he doesn't seek guidance from me," he elaborated.

Finding the Magic

Stamos reflected on the early challenges, but he revealed that the Full House team discovered the show's unique essence in a particular scene. It was when Jesse and Joey fed cough syrup to Michelle that they realized the deep connection to parenting.

Franklin, the director, expressed his understanding of the show's core message: it fundamentally revolves around the journey of inexperienced guys becoming responsible parents. The subplots involving single life and the interactions among the children could complement the main narrative. However, the driving force behind the show lies in the heartfelt stories of parenting. With an exceptional cast of lovable characters and talented child actors, this became the winning formula for Full House.

Franklin then noted another unique thing no other sitcom in history had tried to do: “We’re raising a baby on TV,” Franklin said.

“Son of a bitch, he’s right,” Stamos penned.