Surprising Twist: Dave Coulier Defends Olsen Twins' Absence in Fuller House!

Summary

Dave Coulier defends Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen's decision to not return as Michelle Tanner in Fuller House.

The Olsens not joining the show caused controversy concerning Michelle's absence in Fuller House. This contradicted the core family message of the Full House franchise, which the show made light of.

Dave Coulier, the actor known for his role in Full House, has come to the defense of Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen regarding their choice to not return as Michelle Tanner in Fuller House. Despite the majority of the original cast reuniting for the Netflix spin-off sequel, the famous twins opted out, causing disappointment among their former co-stars and fans.

Now, a few years after the conclusion of Fuller House's fifth season, Coulier addresses the controversy surrounding the Olsen twins' decision in a recent interview with Yahoo! Entertainment. During the interview, conducted prior to the SAG-AFTRA strike, he sheds light on his understanding of their choice. Coulier's thoughts on the matter are encompassed in the following quote:

Why Michelle’s Fuller House Absence Was So Controversial

It was incredibly heartwarming to reconnect with them and spend some quality time together, especially since they were mere infants and young girls when we worked on the show. Their perspective of the show is completely different from mine, as I was an adult at the time. Growing up on the Warner Brothers lot must have been an extraordinary experience for them. We spent more time with each other than with our own families, so they definitely have a unique outlook on the whole thing. As for me, I approached it as my job, striving to give my best performance every day for their sake. It was our life, really. After the show, we would hang out on weekends, attend birthday parties, celebrate occasions, and even enjoy barbecues and pool parties together. Speaking with them, I could tell their experience was quite distinct. I mean, just imagine starting a TV show when you're barely nine months old.

Netflix brought back the Tanners to the small screen with Fuller House in 2016. While it was confirmed that all the main actors from the original series would be returning, there was uncertainty about whether the Olsens would join the show. Leading up to the premiere, conflicting reports emerged regarding how to incorporate Michelle into the storytelling. Due to the geographical difference between the show's filming location in Los Angeles and the Olsen twins' base in New York, a sustainable filming schedule had to be devised. Nonetheless, Full House fans eagerly hoped for Michelle's eventual appearance.

Once it was clear that Mary-Kate and Ashley wouldn't be joining Fuller House, the situation worsened as John Stamos publicly criticized the sisters for their decision. The spin-off regularly made jokes about the sisters and their unwillingness to be a part of the project. Eventually, the show only made references to Michelle to mock the situation, which many found inappropriate. Additionally, it contradicted the core message of the Full House franchise, which emphasizes the importance of family. The final straw was not including the youngest Tanner in her sisters' wedding in the Fuller House finale.

Ultimately, it's difficult to fault the Olsens for choosing not to be a part of Fuller House. The twins have retired from acting and prefer to keep a low profile while focusing on their fashion house, The Row. In light of this, and with Coulier understanding their perspective, it was better for Mary-Kate and Ashley to skip the show rather than forcing them into something they didn't want to do. However, in hindsight, Fuller House should have handled Michelle's absence in a more effective manner.

Source: Yahoo! Entertainment