Jeff Franklin and John Stamos
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images; Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Full House creator Jeff Franklin looks back on the beginning of the series and recalls a moment when John Stamos almost dropped out of the series.
The writer, producer and director appeared on the first episode of Dave Coulier’s new podcast, Full House Rewind, dedicated to the late Bob Saget.
While discussing the show’s first table read with the cast, Franklin noted that there was a “room full of studio and network execs and everyone who could possibly be there.” I think they were all there to see Stamos.”
But Franklin recalled, “Jodie [Sweetin] “I just stole everything” with her humor, which he said angered Stamos because he feared the younger stars would steal the spotlight from him.
Coulier chimed in, saying he remembers “dating John” afterwards, when the Scream Queens actor told him, “The whole show is going to be her.” We can’t do that.”
Franklin added that he learned “much later” that Stamos was actually “so upset that he had to play second fiddle to these really fun kids that he went out and called his agent and said, ‘This is a mistake.’ Get me off this show.’”
But the show’s creator said he’s finally “come to terms with the fact that he’s working with the kids and the animals and being on top.” Which ultimately worked, as the sitcom was a huge hit, running for eight seasons from 1987 to 1995. The series also experienced a revival in 2016 with Fuller House, also created by Franklin.
Stamos starred on the series as Uncle Jesse alongside Saget, Coulier, Sweetin, Candace Cameron Bure, Mary-Kate Olsen, Ashley Olsen and Lori Loughlin.
Later during the podcast episode, Franklin also explained how the fan-favorite trio of Danny, Jesse and Joey came about since John Posey was originally cast as Danny Tanner in the pilot.
Franklin explained that Saget was always at the top of his list for the role of father, but was unavailable when filming began.
Then, with his schedule suddenly opening up, Franklin decided to put together a “secret chemistry test” for the ’80s sitcom Perfect Strangers starring Saget, Coulier, and Stamos so he could “show people something because Bob wasn’t an actor either.”
Though he said it was “hard” to “break John Posey’s heart” and spend about a million dollars reshooting the pilot, Franklin knew after the chemistry test that Saget was destined to lead the Tanner family.
“I had a gut feeling from the start that Bob could be one of those classic TV dads,” he added. “I just fought as hard as I could for him. I said, ‘This is going to make the show so much better.’ We have to do this.’ It took a lot of convincing and eventually they said OK.”
has reached out to Stamos’ rep for comment.