Fuller House (2016 - )

Genre: TV Show, Children/Family, Comedy, Sitcom

Rated: TV-G - generally suited for all ages

Season 1:

Starring: Candace Cameron Bure, Jodie Sweetin, Andrea Barber, Michael Campion, Elias Harger, Soni Bringas, and Dashiell and Fox Messitt

Guest Starring: Bob Saget, John Stamos, Lori Laughlin, Dave Coulier, Scott Weinger, John Brotherton, Juan Pablo de Pace, Asley Lao, Macy Gray and Hunter Pence

This made-for-Netflix revival of the beloved sitcom, Full House, picks up 20 years after its predecessor ended. DJ Tanner-Fuller, recently widowed, has moved back in with her father, Danny, bringing along her three boys, Jackson, Max and Tommy. The show opens with a reunion of the original characters for a farewell party as Danny, Jesse and Becky are moving to Los Angeles to advance their careers. Joey has flown in from Las Vegas where he has a successful comedy career, Stephanie has flown in from England where she has been a fairly successful DJ, and Kimmy Gibler barges in as always, only this time she has a thirteen-year old daughter in tow. It is in this episode, DJ realizes she isn't going to be able to raise the boys all on her own, and Stephanie and Kimmy decide to move in and help her out. 

This show follows the same formula as the original, only this time the girls the majority of the viewers grew up with are now in charge of three young boys and one teenage girl. DJ has taken over Danny's role as the responsible, knowledgeable, mature parent, Stephanie has taken on Uncle Jesse's role of the cool relative trying to find a balance between the music industry and family, and Kimmy takes on Joey's role as the goofy best friend of the responsible parent. I truly enjoyed seeing what the women the characters I grew up with have become. 

DJ has her three boys, Jackson who is thirteen, Max who is about 8, and Tommy who is still an infant. Jackson is alright, but he needs to quit calling himself  "J-Money" when he's trying to be cool before I reach through the screen and smack him upside the head. Max is a cute little nerdy kid, but can be over the top sometimes - though that is probably to be expected from a character in that age bracket. Kimmy's daughter, Ramona, has a bit of an attitude due to her parents' separation, but she is, for the most part, likable. 

The show tries to offer a little something for all viewers, both those who are older and likely were fans of the original series and to the new viewers,  likely children. There are a few themes for the kids, such as finding your inner confidence to perform in front of an audience for the first time, making friends at a new school, approaching a crush for the first time, learning to share your room with a younger sibling, and the competition between siblings when it comes to winning games. The adults deal with dating, romantic relationships, motherhood, balancing responsibility with fun, career advancement, and above all, taking care of themselves. Love and relationships are a central issue for our three leading ladies as DJ finds herself caught in a love triangle between her hunky fellow veterinarian, Matt, and high school sweetheart, Steve, Kimmy struggles with whether or not to forgive her cheating estranged husband, and Stephanie is still searching for someone special. However, these ladies always put their friendship and the wellbeing of each other before their suitors and that is always nice to see.

What I like about this show is that it is a revival of the old sitcom style that I grew up with - one that the whole family would tune in for on a Friday night. I like that the formula is the same and that I am now following DJ, Stephanie and Kimmy as grown women, once again sharing their experiences. I really like that this show makes multiple references back to the original, quoting each character's catch phrases - for example, Jesse's "Have Mercy!" or Stephanie's "How Rude!" - and even showing clips from the original series. I also enjoy that this series breaks the fourth wall with cracks about Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen "not having to act anymore," explaining Michelle's absence with her "being busy with her clothing line in New York," making jokes about child actresses, and DJ asking Steve if he knew who Alanis Morisette's "You Oughta Know" is really about (Dave Coulier). I like that the girls stick by each other and support each other no matter what, when so many shows depict women ditching each other as soon as a man enters the picture. I also love that Bob Saget, Dave Coulier, John Stamos and Lori Loughlin make regular guest appearances. Lastly, I love the episode where Joey takes the electronic devices from the kids, locks the devices away, and reminds them how to have good old messy fun. 

The first episode of the series is rather cringe-worthy as the first half is entirely devoted to exposition and introduction of the characters, and doing nothing to disguise the constant explanations of what the each character has done, is planning to do, or backstory. It picks up toward the end of episode one, but it is rough going for the first twenty minutes or so. I do not like Fernando, Kimmy's estranged husband, or her seriously considering getting back together with him when he admits to cheating on her multiple times. Once a cheater, always a cheater, and I don't like the message that cheating can be forgiven if the offending party acts crazy enough about you. I also don't like how flamboyantly Fernando fits the stereotype of the Latin lover who just cannot remain faithful, or really anything about his character whatsoever. He is irritating and I hope he fades to the sidelines in the coming seasons so Kimmy can find a more deserving partner. I also do not like how Steve is so clingy and fixated on DJ - it makes his character who was once such a great fit for her now seem annoying and obsessive, traits that would drive me far away from him, as sweet and adoring as he is. Lastly, I do not like how they made Becky so baby obsessed - as in, preferring to spend more time with her infant nephew than anyone else and trying to steal him. With the exception of the rose delivery mystery, her and Jesse's vow renewal and one night out with DJ, Kimmy and Stephanie she is constantly with Tommy whenever she visits the Fuller home. They began to back away from this theme toward the season finale, and I hope they continue to do so in future episodes. 

Overall, this is a fun revival of a much beloved classic from my childhood. While it has some flaws, it's still fun and addictive enough to binge all thirteen Season One episodes in a weekend. I enjoyed my visit to the Fuller House, and will happily return for Season Two.

6.5/10

** Reviewer's Note** As this is an ongoing series, I will update this entry with the reviews for the new seasons as they come out. Feel free to check back after the next season premieres.