John Stamos has reflected on the pivotal casting change that led to Bob Saget stepping into the role of Danny Tanner in the beloved sitcom *Full House*, before it premiered in 1987. During an appearance on *Bobby Bones Presents: The Bobbycast*, Stamos shared insights into the show’s early development and how Saget’s eventual availability significantly impacted its chemistry.
Initially, Saget was under contract with CBS, hosting *The Morning Program*, which made him unavailable for the first pilot shoot. Consequently, actor John Posey took on the role of Danny Tanner. However, the pilot featuring Posey was never aired, as Saget managed to negotiate his release and took over the role just before *Full House* was set to debut on ABC.
Stamos revealed his feelings about the transition, noting, “I think I felt bad for the guy,” referring to Posey. He acknowledged that at the time, the cast had no way of predicting the show’s fate, stating, “We didn’t know what the show was going to be. It wasn’t like, ‘Oh, that guy’s really losing out on something.’” He added that the pilot was simply a test, emphasising that, if Posey had remained, the “chemistry of the show” could have turned out very differently.
While looking back at the situation, Stamos commented on the strange dynamics created by having to reshoot the pilot. “I think I was more pissed that I had to go back and reshoot those scenes,” he admitted. Stamos had recently transitioned from acting on *General Hospital*, where he portrayed more complex characters. He noted that he had always aspired to join wildly successful sitcoms like *Happy Days* or *Laverne and Shirley* but initially found *Full House* unsatisfying. It took some time for him to fully embrace the show’s lighter tone.
The retake was a significant financial investment for the show’s creator, Jeff Franklin, who fought hard to bring Saget on board. Jodie Sweetin, who played Stephanie Tanner, also weighed in on the situation during her appearance on *Taboo’s Comics & Kicks*. She described the original pilot shoot with Posey as a productive experience, while expressing admiration for Saget as the first choice for the role. “When he was no longer doing the show that was conflicting with *Full House*, we reshot the entire pilot,” Sweetin explained. She articulated that Franklin had a strong belief in Saget, insisting that he was the right fit for the father figure character.
Sweetin further emphasised how crucial it was to find the right lead for the sitcom, highlighting Franklin’s tenacity and insight. “He was right,” she concluded, acknowledging the significant impact Saget had on the show’s success.
The reshooting of the pilot proved to be a turning point for *Full House*, setting the stage for the family sitcom to become a staple of American television. The series, which aired until 1995, was beloved by audiences for its heartwarming themes of family and friendship, largely due to Saget’s portrayal of the well-meaning father dealing with the challenges of raising three daughters alongside his friends.
This involuntary change in casting not only shaped the immediate future of *Full House* but also had far-reaching effects on the careers of those involved. For Stamos, Saget’s inclusion marked a shift in how he perceived the potential of the show, ultimately leading him to embrace his role as Uncle Jesse.
Bob Saget’s passing in January 2022 saw a wave of tributes highlighting his influence both on and off-screen. Many cast members, including Stamos and Sweetin, reflected on the profound impact he had on their lives and careers, emphasising the importance of the familial bond that developed among the *Full House* cast.
In retrospect, the casting situation that first seemed like a stumbling block turned out to be a fortuitous decision that contributed significantly to the lasting legacy of *Full House*. The show has continued to resonate with fans, evidenced by the recent revival series, *Fuller House*, which brought back the cherished characters for a new generation of viewers.
As the entertainment industry evolves and new shows emerge, the story of Saget’s journey to the Tanner household serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of casting and the importance of chemistry between actors in creating memorable television moments.