In 1987, America was introduced to the Tanner family, a lovable bunch residing in their San Francisco home. The sitcom, which aired on ABC for 8 seasons from 1987 to 1995, captured the hearts of viewers as they followed the journey of widower Danny Tanner (played by Bob Saget) in raising his three daughters, D.J. (Candace Cameron Bure), Stephanie (Jodie Sweetin), and Michelle (Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen), with the help of his brother-in-law Jesse Katsopolis (John Stamos) and best friend Joey (Dave Coulier). Lori Loughlin also graced the screen as Jesse’s love interest, Rebecca “Becky” Donaldson, while Andrea Barber portrayed D.J.’s best friend, Kimmy Gibbler, and Steve Weinger stole hearts as D.J.’s on-again, off-again love interest, Steve Hale.
The show’s popularity endured even after its initial run, leading to a momentous announcement in 2015. Netflix revealed plans for a revival series titled Fuller House, bringing back many of the original cast members. Sweetin, Bure, and Barber reprised their roles as series regulars, while Loughlin, Stamos, Coulier, Saget, and Weinger made guest appearances.
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However, one notable absence from the revival was the Olsen twins, Mary-Kate and Ashley. Despite the excitement surrounding the reunion, Bure made it clear in a February 2019 interview with Us that the twins had no intention of returning to the show. She stated, “You heard it from me first: They will never come back! They are never coming back on the show. They don’t want to be on the show. The answer’s no.”
As fans eagerly awaited the fifth and final season of Fuller House, set to air in the fall of 2019, a shocking turn of events unfolded. Loughlin, who portrayed Becky, found herself embroiled in the nationwide college admissions scandal. In March 2019, she and her husband, Mossimo Giannulli, were arrested for allegedly paying $500,000 to secure admission for their daughters, Olivia and Bella, into the University of Southern California as designated crew team recruits, despite the fact that the girls had never participated in the sport.
The legal proceedings that followed cast a shadow over the beloved sitcom. Loughlin and Giannulli eventually pleaded guilty in May 2020 as part of a deal. Loughlin faced a sentence of two months in prison, two years of supervised release, 100 hours of community service, and a $150,000 fine, while Giannulli received a sentence of five months in prison, two years of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and 250 hours of community service.
The scandal not only impacted Loughlin’s personal life but also had ramifications for Fuller House. The final season aired without her character, Becky, leaving fans to wonder how her absence would be addressed within the storyline.
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Despite the controversy, Fuller House remains a significant part of television history. Its enduring popularity and the nostalgia it evokes continue to captivate audiences. The Tanner family’s journey from the 80s to the present day serves as a reminder of the impact a sitcom can have on viewers’ lives.
As the curtain closes on Fuller House, fans can reflect on the joy and laughter it brought, while also acknowledging the real-life events that unfolded behind the scenes. The legacy of the Tanner family and their San Francisco home will forever be etched in the hearts of those who fell in love with their fun-filled daily lives.
