Fuller House Review: Our Very First Show, Again (Season 1 Episode 1)

I have very clear memories of watching Full House as a kid, back when TGIF was a thing rather than TGIT.

So the idea of a Full House reboot left me with mixed feelings. Is it something we need? Is it even something that would work in our current television climate?

My answer to that question, based on the first episode of Fuller House, “Our Very First Show, Again,” is yes.

From the very first moments, Fuller House is completely aware of itself. It is intentionally nostalgic, and it is more than willing to poke fun of itself, which is exactly what the show needs to do in order to work.

It still feels like Full House. It’s still a multi-cam sitcom, and there’s even a studio audience (who, of course, goes nuts at the entrance of every familiar character). It’s also not trying to be something it isn’t. There are no f-bombs being dropped just because it’s a Netflix show and it can get away with it. It does however, seem to push its own boundaries with some of the jokes, but it doesn’t push too far.

All of the classic lines are there, from Joey’s “cut it out,” to Stephanie’s “How rude!” Jesse is still obsessed with Elvis, and Danny and Becky get to do their classic “Waaaaake up, San Francisco!” Only this time, it’s “Wake up, USA!”

The show is also self-referential, from Jesse’s joke about how General Hospital always hires the best actors, to Danny’s response as to why Michelle isn’t there.

Danny: Well, Michelle sends her love, but she’s busy in New York running her fashion empire.

The entire group then breaks the fourth wall, looking directly at the camera exasperated expressions.

And what would be a Full House revival be without Jesse singing “Forever,” with the rest of his band in the background?

In not taking itself too seriously, and in clearly letting actors have fun with what they’re doing, this episode of Fuller House works as a celebration of the original series that so many of us remember.

It’s like getting to visit with an old friend you haven’t seen in years.

We also get flashes of the original series, with pieces of the original credits spliced into the new version. It’s cute, and if I’m being really honest, it actually made me cry.

But the moment that really drives home the nostalgia is the ending scene. The baby is crying, and Joey says he knows how to fix it. We then get a split screen: on one side, the scene from the original series with everyone singing the theme to The Flintstones, and on the other side, the very same thing with the everyone all grown up.

The episode, as a whole, manages to tap into something very personal and very emotional. Its comfortable, and it reminds us of another time. But that’s also what makes is funny — the best jokes are the ones that reference the original series, like inside jokes that make us feel like we’re really a part of something.

All of that said, there are a few moments I could have done without, such the bit with Stephanie’s accent and Nikki and Alex’s talk of a fish taco truck. I’m also not certain what the series will feel like moving forward once so many of the original cast members are out of the picture. The beginning, after all, is supposed to be the reunion special — and that’s the part of it that makes it so enjoyable.

There’s certainly some promise, particularly because the chemistry between Candace Cameron Bure, Jodie Sweetin, and Andrea Barber is still there, and their moments together are genuine. These are also still three characters we know and love — they’re just grown up now.

What did you think of the first episode of Fuller House? Have you made plans to binge-watch the entire series? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Fuller House is available for streaming on Netflix.