Full House’s Jodie Sweetin And Andrea Barber Reveal One Tanner Family Detail They Wish Was Handled Differently, And I Know A Great Way It Could Have Happened

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Over three and a half decades since “Full House” first aired, it now ranks as one of the top shows available on Max for viewers of all ages to watch. Although the series isn’t flawless, with a few perplexing retcons and plot inconsistencies throughout its eight seasons, “Full House” remains a delightfully clean form of entertainment. However, actresses Jodie Sweetin and Andrea Barber have openly discussed one aspect related to the Tanner family that they feel the show could have handled better. In this article, I will offer an idea for how that issue might have been addressed more effectively, although it may not be entirely relevant now.

I, a dedicated follower, am talking about the delightful podcast hosted by the actresses who played Stephanie Tanner and Kimmy Gibbler – “How Rude, Tanneritos!” They delve into their own rewatch of the iconic show, “Full House,” sharing behind-the-scenes stories, reflecting on past episodes, and even reassessing their feelings towards certain controversial episodes. Recently, they discussed unpopular opinions about the series, checking out Reddit to see what fans had to say.

One particular fan’s wish for more references to Pam, Danny’s late wife and the girls’ mother, really resonated with me when I heard Barber express her full agreement with this idea. In her own words:

100%… She’s mentioned briefly during Season 1. In this season, we catch a glimpse of the VHS tape, not exactly a flashback, but more like a scene featuring the tape itself.

According to Barber’s statement, Pamela was occasionally referenced during the initial season while the series was establishing its cosmos. The most memorable instance is when everyone watches a home video from the day Pam and Danny brought home baby Michelle, which is the only time viewers get a glimpse of what Pam looks and sounds like.

I occasionally make an appearance in the rest of the show, primarily for storylines that delve into poignant memories like the origins of Mr. Bear or conversations about the perils of drunk driving, or events that a daughter might prefer to share with her mom, such as sleepovers. However, Pam wasn’t mentioned too frequently, and Sweetin often expressed a desire for more stories about her TV mother that weren’t exclusively focused on sadness, instead offering a more balanced portrayal.

Instead of making the stories about someone’s passing grim or melancholic, it’s more fitting to share amusing anecdotes over time. If Pam were still around, I would have enjoyed hearing tales about her interactions with the kids or funny incidents involving Danny. That’s typically how we keep memories alive in such situations – through stories. It seemed like Pam’s passing was finalized abruptly, without much emphasis on her life and experiences. However, in a sitcom, it might not be appropriate to delve too deeply into dark themes. As time goes by, I believe there could be opportunities to approach the topic differently, making it less about sadness and more about celebration of her life.

It’s quite possible that Pam was referenced numerous times off-camera, but I personally feel it would have been more engaging if she appeared more frequently on-screen, even in passing mentions rather than only during major plotlines, as suggested by Barber.

Absolutely. There’s no need for overly dramatic melodrama, like violins or tears. Instead, it could be subtly incorporated in future episodes without much fuss.

Given the circumstances, it’s not really shocking that Full House only casually referenced Pam on various instances. Keep in mind, it’s a sitcom, and although Full House possesses the potential to explore different tones, sitcoms are generally limited when it comes to tackling heavy, dramatic storylines. Even though they could have devised a method, Sweetin feels the apprehension was too overwhelming:

Absolutely, I concur with your viewpoint. It would have been beneficial to delve deeper into the character of Pam. My guess is that they were cautious about making it too somber, perhaps out of concern that it might become too dark and subsequently appear inappropriate by introducing humor at a later stage.

One alternative approach for incorporating more of the character Pam without delving into a darker narrative could involve a lighter, more optimistic storyline.

How Full House Could Have Naturally Referenced Pam More In A Fun Way

Since Jesse is Pam’s brother, it seems plausible that he might arrange some sort of memorial concert in her honor, though it wouldn’t necessarily become an annual event. This would provide an opportunity for him and the band, The Rippers, to showcase their talents, and it could also be a chance for “Full House” to introduce more musical guest appearances, a practice they were fond of.

The Beach Boys were often prepared, eager, and conveniently based nearby, ready to join the Tanners for a few tunes or so. The Tanners even had encounters with New Kids on the Block, making one wonder which other ’80s and ’90s acts might have been included in such performances. It’s intriguing to speculate about who else could have been invited to appear, and it’s possible that they could have also reprised the actress’ role for additional vintage home video footage.

Unfortunately, a television series like Full House has its limitations when it comes to exploring various storylines within a single episode, even with over 190 episodes. It’s impossible to cover every detail thoroughly. Nevertheless, I adore Full House and my affection for the show remains unchanged, along with the nostalgic TV theme that continues to be fresh. However, it’s natural to ponder about what more could have been added to enrich the series.

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2025-02-26 06:08