UPDATED: A week after Dave Coulier launched a new rewatch podcast for “Full House,” the beloved sitcom he appeared on opposite the late Bob Saget, the TV actor has decided to pause releasing new episodes during the SAG-AFTRA strike.
“Though the podcast series has many episodes that were recorded before the strike was authorized, Dave assures fans of the new series that they can look forward to more entertaining content in the meantime on socials and will be back to releasing new episodes as soon as the strike concludes,” the podcast’s producers said in a statement.
Coulier posted a video statement, saying, “While we have many more @FullHouseRewind episodes ready for release, each with a very special guest, we’re going to be pressing pause until the SAG-AFTRA strike is resolved. In the meantime, I look forward to continuing to entertain you on all of our socials, and I promise, the second the strike comes to an end, we’ll be back and ready to rock! Oh, and just so you have something to look forward to, the next episode up when we get back, our guest…let’s just say his name begins with a J and he’s got great hair.”
EARLIER: In the premiere episode of “Full House Rewind,” Coulier speaks with series creator Jeff Franklin as they reminisce about working with Saget (who died last year) and talk about the pilot episode of the show that premiered in September 1987. They also discuss the fact that Saget wasn’t actually the first actor to play Danny Tanner (that was John Posey, but Posey appeared as the character only in an unaired pilot).
There were questions questions about whether such TV rewatch podcasts are allowed under the rules of SAG-AFTRA’s strike against studios and streaming providers.
According to SAG-AFTRA’s posted rules, union members can’t engage in “Promotion of/publicity services for work under the TV/Theatrical Contracts” — including podcast appearances. However, podcasts produced by companies that are not part of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) are not affected by the strike. That means that “Full House Rewind,” produced by the independent L.A.-based PodCo, is in the clear and Coulier can promote the podcast, a rep for the company said.
SAG-AFTRA also says guest appearances on podcasts to “promote struck work” are not allowed “under any circumstance.” Among the guests confirmed to appear on upcoming episodes of “Full House Rewind” are John Stamos, who played Jesse Katsopolis in both “Full House” (and Netflix sequel “Fuller House”) and Marla Sokoloff, who recurred as Gia Mahan in both series. According to PodCo, the episodes with Stamos and Sokoloff were recorded in mid-June — before the union’s strike officially began last Friday, July 14.
The actors union has given the go-ahead to other TV rewatch podcasts. For example, “Pod Meets World,” the “Boy Meets World” rewatch podcast hosted by Rider Strong, Will Friedle and Danielle Fishel, said in the show’s July 16 episode that they got the OK from their SAG rep to continue their podcast and tour, during which they open up about shooting the series.
On the other hand, other TV rewatch podcasts appear to be proceeding cautiously amid the SAG strike. “Office Ladies,” about NBC’s “The Office” hosted by show stars hosted by Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey, published a new episode on July 20 — but included a disclaimer that said, “This episode was recorded May 19th, 2023.” It’s co-produced by Earwolf, SiriusXM’s comedy podcast studio division; a spokesman for Earwolf did not have info on the status of “Office Ladies.”
“Full House” aired on ABC for eight seasons from 1987-1995 and was produced by Warner Bros. Television. (WBTV is part of the AMPTP.) The series followed Danny Tanner (Saget) who, after the death of his wife, enlisted his brother-in-law Jesse (Stamos) and his best friend Joey (Coulier) to help him raise his three daughters D.J. (Candace Cameron Bure), Stephanie (Jodie Sweetin) and Michelle (Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen). Lori Loughlin, Andrea Barber and Scott Weinger also starred.
PodCo is led by husband-and-wife producing team Brendan Rooney (“The Vulnerable Podcast”) and Christy Carlson Romano (Disney Channel’s “Kim Possible” and “Even Stevens”). The company also produces podcasts about “Wizards of Waverly Place,” “Ned’s Declassified,” “Brotherly Love” and “Even Stevens.”
Here’s the first episode of “Full House Rewind”: