Chronology to be finished by Chrostmas

[DTF955]

The Chronology is an in depth look at the Tanners - the "Tanner Family Chronicles," if you will.

It started out as a project to solve inconsistencies and explain them naturally, as if it was a real family. (Like what Joe's grandmother wants to do now that his grandfather passed away - he was one of the partners in this.) For instance, it had a story in there about how Jesse dropped out and faked his graduation; it had to be a much broader plan than "walked out of school." It was Hogan's Heroes-ish in its detail, in a way, the way it was written. And, the way it would have to have been done.

The Tanner family history is told from every character's POV, even with comments from some minor ones (Gia, etc.) at times (even Dr. Laandress will now "narrate" a coulpe small parts, too, as the pediatrician). It is done to make it appear like a realistic family; something never done with any sitcom; and that probably wouldn't have been done if it hadn't been for the writers making such mistakes.

It goes through the calendar as the tales are told, with episodes being put in proper order - the start of season 4 and all of season 6 are especially tricky here :-) It also tells of the Tanner family before and after the series, as well as between scenes and episodes. As mentioned, one reason it was decided to do this was becasue the other characters did get so little air time in latter seasons. We see nothing of how Steph helped Gia stop smoking (threats of making her listen to Barney, among others :-) the Gibbler class presidency (and her "assistant," D.J. preventing her impeachment), Steph's extra curricular activities, etc.; it was figured people would stop complaining if they actually learned what did happen.

The more it was discussed, the more it was felt that this wasn't enough. A lot of polling was done on various yahoo groups and other places, and fans not only wanted to see this, fan consensus was that D.J. was the one disciplining Michelle "behind the scenes." D.J. told Steph they always could get Michelle to do what they wanted ("Take My Sister, Please") and Danny said nothing, while Michelle complained but complied when told to eat upstairs in "Lust int he Dust," along with being under D.J.'s rule for 3 straight weeks at camp with no adults and being more obedient after that, if not always a perfect attitude. That seemed to many to be a key. Most viewers couldn't see Jesse or Joey disciplining, and felt it was obvious they'd done nothing from "Crimes and Michelle's Misdeamonor." (So, dont' feel bad if you think it could have been a combination of Jesse's "famous talks" and Joey putting her in a chair for timeout - you were just outvoted.)

Polling was also done on stickier issues - was Pam Nick and Irene's natural daughter, born out of wedock, or did Irene have a 1st husband; or did they adopt? Where was Nick when papouli died? that sort of thing.

It also contains the Book Universe, where the alternate reality with Michelle and Stephanie both much better behaved with better attitudes. A piont of departure was found to explain the office/den in the 4th bedroom that is alawyas there, that being Danny's decision with his bonus from covering the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984. (As stated, it goes before and after the TV Years.) D.J. is a more mothering figure, and Michelle has taken after her, in books, with a few key hints as to that. (Which, admittedly, helped a bit with the TV part - D.J. is proactive in books, would only react otherwise.) It also was natural, according to a number of people - as the oldest besides Danny on that floor, she would be the one getting Michelle up, handling some nightmares, etc., the one the toddler crawls in bed with in the morning, and just start to exert a little more influence each time.

Actually, a child psychology/development professor from my college was kind enough to e-mail me back and he said, from the evidence, D.J. would probably have had to react in books, too - we wanted this to be professional. And, he said that it's not uncommon, in some homes, for parent(s) to try to hard to be the child's friend, not recalling that they have to set firm boundaries, too - and when there is an older sibling capable, that sibling, usually a girl, ends up as the mother figure.

Alas, Warner Brothers keeps insisting that they don't want outsiders using their characters. It would be *great* if it was for sale, but it is only for download. But, hey, it's free, that makes it even better, right? :-) it is a great labor of love, anyway.

BTW, it was decided to also incorporate the "Sam Series," written by a friend from Australia as Book Universe fan fiction - it actually helps explain things like Steph being so mature she gets to use Danny's credit card at a store at age 12 in one book. D.J.'s being proactive has inspired her to help someone with parents who are *really* absent, too.

So, anyone who wants can have it e-mailed to them; it's grown a lot; the TV part alone is a smidgen over 300 pages and the Book Universe part expands that to over 450 (!) with footnoes part of that, of course. So you can cross reference just where some of the ideas are obtained. Yes, that's big - look how many times I've tried to retire from it :-) But witht he last unedited episodes on DVD later this fall, there will be no more need.

Numerous people who have read it say that it is just like "Full House." The characters are attempted as true to life as if they were talking/writing the stuff.

I've sort of given up on WB allowing it to go into print, but once it's complete, anyone can e-mail for a copy, or it'll be on the Web.