Jodie Sweetin Shares Details of Unaired “Full House” Pilot, Says Original Actor Cast as Dad Was ‘So Sweet’ But Bob Saget Was ‘First Choice’

Actor Jodie Sweetin has recently reflected on the making of the original pilot episode of the beloved sitcom *Full House*, revealing interesting insights about the casting process and the initial involvement of another actor before Bob Saget took on the iconic role of Danny Tanner.

In a recent discussion on the *Taboo’s Comics & Kicks* podcast, Sweetin, now 44 years old, recounted how the pilot originally featured actor John Posey in the role of the widowed father, with Saget initially unable to join the cast due to a scheduling clash with his commitment to host CBS’ *The Morning Program*. The unaired pilot with Posey was shot before Saget became available, leading to significant changes prior to the show’s debut on ABC in 1987.

“John Posey was a lovely human being and very sweet and wonderful,” Sweetin remarked while recalling the pilot with Posey. However, she emphasised that Bob Saget was always the first choice to play Danny Tanner. “When he was no longer committed elsewhere, we reshot the entire pilot, which took a lot of effort from our creator, Jeff Franklin. He really fought hard for that because it involved a lot of money,” Sweetin explained.

Franklin’s determination paid off, as he believed Saget was the perfect fit for the father figure in the series. According to Sweetin, Franklin had a sense that Saget’s involvement would bring the show to life in a way that would resonate with audiences. “He was like, ‘I just know it. I just know this is who we need as the dad. This is going to be it.’ And he was right,” she noted.

In a nostalgic embrace of the show’s history, Sweetin and her former co-star Andrea Barber recently shared a never-before-seen photo from the unaired pilot on their *How Rude, Tanneritos!* podcast Instagram account. The image highlights Posey alongside an actress playing Pamela Tanner, capturing a moment with Sweetin as Stephanie Tanner, Candace Cameron Bure as D.J. Tanner, and Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen as Michelle Tanner.

This throwback sparked curiosity among fans, prompting the caption, “No need to adjust your phones – here it is: a shot from the first unaired pilot of *Full House*. Things were…a little different.” The post posed a rhetorical question to their followers: “Can you imagine this version of the show?”

Ultimately, Bob Saget stepped into the role of Danny Tanner, portraying the widowed father throughout the show’s original run from 1987 to 1995. The series garnered a loyal fanbase and became a touchstone of family-friendly television, featuring a talented ensemble cast that included Sweetin, Barber, the Olsen twins, John Stamos, Dave Coulier, and Lori Loughlin.

Following the success of *Full House*, the cast reunited in 2016 for the Netflix sequel series *Fuller House*, which saw Saget reprise his role in ten episodes until the show concluded in 2020. The series maintained the spirit of the original while bringing the characters into contemporary contexts.

Tragically, Saget passed away on January 9, 2022, at the age of 65. His body was discovered in a hotel room at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes. It was later revealed that he had suffered blunt head trauma as a result of an unwitnessed fall, leaving the entertainment community mourning the loss of the beloved comedian and actor.

As fans continue to celebrate Saget’s legacy, Sweetin’s reflections offer a unique glimpse into the show’s inception and the impact that casting decisions can have on the trajectory of a beloved series. The camaraderie amongst the cast members, both past and present, speaks to the enduring connections formed during the show’s original run, demonstrating that the heartwarming themes of family and friendship remain resonant even decades later.