Summary
The theory posits that Full House and four other TGIF sitcoms coexist within a unified universe, substantiated by crossover episodes and the recurring appearance of characters across different shows.The significant inclusion of Steve Urkel in various sitcoms, notably Full House, serves as a pivotal element in bolstering the TGIF Shared Universe Theory.
The theory does have some flaws, particularly when considering John Stamos' appearance in an episode of Step by Step, which raises concerns about the continuity of the TGIF universe. However, it is still plausible for Full House to coexist in the same universe as the other sitcoms.
Although Full House spans eight seasons and establishes the vibrant and joyful world of the Tanner family, a theory proposes that this sitcom is not the sole inhabitant of this universe. In fact, it suggests that there are four TGIF sitcoms existing within the same on-screen world. Full House, a family sitcom that debuted in 1987 and aired for eight seasons, revolves around Danny Tanner, a single father raising his three daughters with the help of his laid-back brother-in-law and his stand-up comedian best friend.
First and foremost, there is a block of television programming on ABC called TGIF. It originally aired in the 1980s and consists of family-friendly sitcoms. The purpose of this programming schedule was to provide light-hearted and humorous shows before the news program 20/20. TGIF has gone through three different versions, but none have achieved the same level of popularity as the initial and longest run from 1989 to 2000. While TGIF is commonly known to stand for "Thank God It's Friday," the two-hour block was affectionately referred to as "Thank God It's Funny." This programming block played a significant role for over a decade, showcasing some of the most iconic sitcoms of the 1980s and 1990s, with Full House being among them.
Full House Exists In The Same Universe As Other TGIF Shows: Theory Explained
In addition to being a memorable moment in television history, there exists a theory that suggests a shared universe among all TGIF classic sitcoms. While not every show within the 11-year lineup can be distinctly connected, a total of five series have had crossover episodes. As a result, these shows, which include Perfect Strangers, Family Matters, Full House, Hangin' With Mr. Cooper, and Step by Step, all officially coexist within the same universe.
The crossovers first began when Harriette Winslow, a supporting character in Perfect Strangers seasons 3 and 4, received her own show, Family Matters, in 1989. However, what truly brought all the series together was the introduction of Steve Urkel. Due to his immense popularity, Urkel started making appearances on various sitcoms, including Full House. In 1991, Steve Urkel made a memorable cameo on Full House, assisting Stephanie in adjusting to her new glasses and interacting with the beloved characters of the sitcom. Furthermore, Michelle Tanner from Full House appeared in Hangin' With Mr. Cooper, while Urkel had a cameo in Step by Step, thus establishing connections amongst all five series.
Why The TGIF Shared Universe Theory Makes Sense
The hinge of the TGIF Shared Universe Theory rests on Steve Urkel, whose appearances in other sitcoms opened up the possibility that all these shows occur in an alternate version of the United States. These crossovers were surprisingly meticulous and maintained a logical connection. For instance, since both Full House and Hangin' With Mr. Cooper were set in San Francisco, it made sense for Michelle Tanner and her friends to be in Mr. Cooper's classroom.
Aside from Urkel's sitcom cameos, the TGIF Shared Universe Theory is highly plausible. The crossover episodes establish the existence of these shows within a single universe, and the continuity of the remaining episodes in each sitcom aligns with this idea. There is no evidence within these timelines to contradict the foundation laid by the crossovers. It is entirely feasible for these sitcoms to coexist and occasionally intersect with one another. Additionally, since each sitcom takes place in a different state, their parallel existence can occur without significant interference.
Problems With The Full House Shared Universe Theory
The inclusion of Full House in the TGIF Shared Universe Theory presents a major challenge due to a specific episode of Step by Step. In the episode titled "Great Expectations" from 1994, Carol arranges dreadful blind dates for her daughters. Despite initially rejecting the last date, it turns out to be with John Stamos, the actor who portrays Uncle Jesse in Full House. This raises a question: if Full House and Step by Step exist in the same universe through the Steve Urkel connection, how is it possible for John Stamos to appear in Step by Step?
In conclusion, the cameo by Stamos in Step by Step undermines the concept of the TGIF Shared Universe Theory. If Full House and Step by Step were truly part of the same universe, John Stamos' character would not exist in Step by Step. This raises numerous questions about the coherence of ABC's TGIF universe, making iconic appearances by Steve Urkel less logical. Despite this complication, it can still be argued that Full House could potentially coexist with the other four TGIF sitcoms.