Carstairs Considers....: TV Show Review: Full House

Sunday, March 10, 2013

TV Show Review: Full House - Season 1

Stars: 5 out of 5
Pros: Heart warming and funny series
Cons: Can be cheesy and corny at times

The Bottom Line:

It's strongly 80's

But it's also very fun

If you can stand cheese

Three Men, Two Little Ladies, and a Baby

Life has dealt Danny Tanner (Bob Saget) a hard blow. A drunk driver has killed his wife and he's left to raise his three daughters on his own. Knowing he needs help, he asks his best friend Joey (Dave Coulier) and brother-in-law Jesse (John Stamos) to move into his house and help him raise his three daughters, 10 year old DJ (Candace Cameron), 5 year old Stephanie (Jodie Sweetin) and nine month old Michelle (Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen in their first role). Of course, they know nothing about raising kids, but they agree.

The result is this crazy mix of fun. While all three of the guys try to figure out what they are doing, the girls deal with the changes in their lives. DJ and Stephanie have to share a room. Joey is living in an alcove in the living room. And no one knows how to cook or clean, much less change Michelle's diaper. Combine that with chicken pox, school, and some different personalities, and you have the first season of this fun sit-com.

I've just recently started watching the show via reruns, and I've gotten so addicted I had to get this set. Even being relatively new, I recognized some things that were different this first season. Ok, yes, besides the 80's hair on Joey and Jesse. Compulsive cleaner Danny doesn't know how to clean here. Jesse's last name is Cochran. Joey is sleeping in the living room (something that changes in the wonderful "Joey's Place.") The only catch phrase we really hear is "Have mercy!" DJ's best friend Kimmy (Andrea Barber) is around, but only in a hand full of episodes.

However, the heart of the show is still there. Not only does every problem get solved in 23 minutes, but usually with a heart to heart talk. And let me tell you, this show can tug at your heartstrings while making you laugh. Not to say the show isn't cheesy and corny at times. It's still highly entertaining.

Of course, all the actors help the show. The adults do great in their roles. But it's the kids that blow me away. Both Candace Cameron and Jodie Sweetin really nail the parts. They are born actresses. Mary-Kate and Ashley are adorable as Michelle, thanks in part to the editing of the scenes and the patience of the rest of the cast.

Not only does this set contain the 22 episodes from season one, but we also get some cool extras. The original unaired pilot is included. The difference is John Posey is playing the role of Danny. That's pretty much it. Even the guest stars are the same. While it feels funny watching someone else in the role, it's nice to have. There are also two interesting commentary tracks from series creator Jeff Franklin. While he spends minimal time talking about those specific episodes, he shares lots of memories of creating, casting, and filming the first season. Finally, there's a marginally interesting pop-up trivia track on "The Miracle of Thanksgiving."

Like so much else that I recommend, this show was never going to be an award winner. But it is fun and entertaining, and that's all it takes to please me. If you are as easy to please as I am, you'll love this set.

Season 1 Episodes:

1. Our Very First Show

2. Our Very First Night

3. The First Day of School

4. The Return of Grandma

5. Sea Cruise

6. Daddy's Home

7. Knock Yourself Out

8. Jesse's Girl

9. The Miracle of Thanksgiving

10. Joey's Place

11. The Big Three-O