Summary
- The theory suggests that Full House and four other TGIF sitcoms exist in the same universe, as evidenced by crossover episodes and characters appearing in different shows.
- Steve Urkel's cameos in various sitcoms, including Full House, are a key factor in ing the TGIF Shared Universe Theory.
- The theory is not without its flaws, as the appearance of John Stamos in an episode of Step by Step raises questions about the continuity of the TGIF universe. However, it is still possible for Full House to coexist in the same universe as the other sitcoms.
While eight seasons of Full House established the colorful, joyful world of the Tanner family, one theory suggests that this sitcom isn't the only one to exist in this universe, and in fact, there are four TGIF sitcoms within one on-screen world. Full House is a family sitcom that first began in 1987 and ran for eight seasons. The series follows Danny Tanner, a single father who raises his three daughters alongside his cool brother-in-law and stand-up comedian best friend.
First and foremost, TGIF is a block of television programming on ABC that first appeared in the 1980s. Made up of family-forward sitcoms, the scheduling was meant to offer funny, accessible shows before leading up to the news program 20/20. TGIF has received three iterations thus far, however, none have been as popular as the first and longest run from 1989 to 2000. Though TGIF typically stands for "Thank God It's Friday," the two-hour block was known as "Thank God It's Funny." For over a decade, TGIF provided some of the most iconic sitcoms of the 1980s and 1990s, including Full House.
Full House Exists In The Same Universe As Other TGIF Shows: Theory Explained
Beyond simply being a memorable time in television history, there is also a theory that all TGIF classic sitcoms are interconnected by one shared universe. Though not every show in the 11-year line-up has a definitive point of connection, there are five series in total that had crossover episodes. Therefore, these shows, including Perfect Strangers, Family Matters, Full House, Hangin' With Mr. Cooper, and Step by Step, all canonically exist within the same world.
The crossovers first began when Harriette Winslow, a ing character in Perfect Strangers seasons 3 and 4, received her own show, Family Matters, in 1989. However, what truly brought all the series together was Steve Urkel. Because of his raging popularity, Urkel began making appearances on different sitcoms, including Full House. In 1991, Steve Urkel made a Full House cameo wherein he helps Stephanie adjust to getting glasses and interacts with the sitcom's other beloved characters. Full House's Michelle Tanner went on to make an appearance in Hangin' With Mr. Cooper and Urkel had a cameo in Step by Step, thereby connecting all five series.
Why The TGIF Shared Universe Theory Makes Sense
Once again, the hinge which the TGIF Shared Universe Theory relies on is Steve Urkel. For the most part, his introductions into other sitcoms are what opened up the possibility that all of these shows happen in the same alternate version of the United States. Surprisingly, these crossovers were meticulous as well and maintained a sense of logic. For example, both Full House and Hangin' With Mr. Cooper took place in San Francisco, therefore, it made sense for Michelle Tanner and her friends to be in Mr. Cooper's classroom.
Aside from Urkel's sitcom cameos, the TGIF Shared Universe Theory makes sense because there really isn't much to deny it. While crossover episodes reveal that these shows exist in one universe, the rest of the sitcoms' episodes continue on the same singular track, and there is nothing within these timelines to counteract what the crossovers have established. It is completely plausible that these sitcoms could all be coexisting and simply bump into each other from time to time. Since each sitcom takes place in a different state, it's easy for them to occur side by side without too much interference.
Problems With The Full House Shared Universe Theory
The biggest issue that comes with Full House being included in the TGIF Shared Universe Theory is a single episode of Step by Step. In the 1994 episode entitled "Great Expectations," Carol sets her daughters up on an array of horrible blind dates. Offering them one final date, the daughters immediately say no, but as it turns out, the date is with John Stamos. If Full House and Step by Step are in the same universe because of their Steve Urkel connection, then how could actor John Stamos, who plays Uncle Jesse in Full House, appear in Step by Step?
Overall, this Stamos cameo ultimately pops the bubble of the TGIF Shared Universe Theory. If Full House were truly part of the same universe Step by Step is in, then John Stamos would not exist in Step by Step. Therefore, although Stamos' appearance is a fun moment in sitcom history, it raises too many questions about ABC's TGIF universe. Every iconic Steve Urkel appearance makes a little less sense than it did before. However, despite this mishap, it's safe to say that Full House could very well exist in the same universe as the four other TGIF sitcoms.