New Interview w/ Lori Loughlin Looking Back on "Full House"

[JamesG]

"Full House" Cast: Where Are They Now; Interview with Lori Loughlin
9/24/12



Lori Loughlin (Rebecca Donaldson-Katsopolis)






After getting her start in modeling and on daytime TV -- she spent three years on ABC soap opera "The Edge of Night" -- Lori Loughlin earned her big break on "Full House". She joined the series in Season 2 as Rebecca "Becky" Donaldson, Danny's new co-host on "Wake Up, San Francisco", and became a regular the following season.

Within months of the series' cancellation in 1995, Loughlin landed the leading role in a new ABC sitcom called "Hudson Street", co-starring Tony Danza. The series only lasted one season, but Loughlin went on to guest star on shows like "Suddenly Susan", "Spin City" and "Seinfeld".

During this time, she also married fashion designer Mossimo Giannulli and had two daughters, 14-year-old Isabella and soon-to-be-13-year-old Olivia.



In 2004, Loughlin returned to TV full force -- co-creating, producing and starting in "Summerland" on The WB. The show lasted two seasons, but Loughlin got another regular gig on The CW's "Beverly Hills, 90210" spinoff "90210". She appeared on the first three seasons of the show and will return for "90210's" Season 5 premiere.

Below, she talks about where she first met John Stamos, acting with twins, and more.









Can you tell me how you got cast on the show?

Well, I needed to figure out a way to pay my next rent check and I went to my agent and asked if he had anything. He said he had this six-episode arc on a new show called "Full House" that one of his other clients, John Stamos, was starring on. And I'd known John since we'd both done soap operas back in the day.

Actually, when he won a Daytime Emmy for his role as Blackie on "General Hospital", I presented it to him so that's how we met.



So I went through the audition process -- I auditioned for the casting director, the executive producers and finally with John. I was supposed to play Danny's co-worker and Jesse's potential love interest.

But I remember being on the set the first day and just getting along so well with the guys -- John, Dave and Bob -- and I knew it wasn't going to be just six episodes. I could tell it would go on for a long time.









What was your favorite episode?

There are so many that I loved -- our wedding, the one where we had our twins -- but the one where Stephanie drove the car through the house, that one made me laugh a lot.









What was it like working with your TV twins Nicky and Alex?

Oh I loved it. I love kids. All those things that people say, "Never work with kids or animals," I just love it.

I loved the kids, I loved the dog.









You had a lot of animals on that show. Even a monkey.

Yes! That monkey. The scene where he was in bed with Jesse was really funny.









Which co-stars made it most difficult to keep a straight face when doing scenes?

Probably Dave. He's just so funny.

And Bob too, but Dave would purposefully do something to make me laugh when he knew the cameras were on me.









Who was your favorite guest star?

That's hard. I'd have to say Scott Baio because I had such a crush on him growing up on "Happy Days".

I loved Chachi.









What did you think about how the series ended?

I thought it was abrupt. ABC just kind of decided that they wanted to take the channel in a new direction with more urban programming so they decided to end the show, even though it was still doing really well in the ratings.

I think their decision backfired.









If you were going to do "Full House" karaoke, which would you rather sing, Jesse and the Rippers' 'Forever' or the show's theme song?

Which is 'Forever' again?





The one Jesse sings for Becky. There was that music video with the candles.

[Laughs] Oh my gosh. Sometimes I forget how cheesy the show was. This is so hard to choose, but I'd have to go with the theme song.









Looking back, which was worse -- the hair or the clothes?

The hair. It was so big. And mine wasn't even the worst. I think John's was.

But my friends will still joke when it's on and say, "Oh my god. Look at Lori's hair."









Which catch phrase was your favorite?

I think I have to go with "Have Mercy" since Jesse would say it Becky.









Where do you think Rebecca Donaldson-Katsapolis would be now?

I think they'd still be living in that house and she'd probably have grandkids. It'd be the "Over-Full House".









Do you ever watch reruns of "Full House"?

Sometimes when I'm changing channels and it's on, I'll watch it.





Do your daughters watch the show?

They'll turn it on every now and then and they'll call me in the room and ask me to tell them what happens in each episode.

I don't even remember most of the time. It was so long ago. I'll usually have to watch a few minutes until I remember.









Who do you keep in touch with from the cast?

Definitely John. I went to see him on Broadway a couple weeks ago and Bob Boyett, who was one of the executive producers, was there. It was really nice to see him. And Dave and Bob.

I see Candace and Jodie around too, but mostly John and Dave.









Would you do a reunion?

I don't know. It depends -- if everyone else was doing it, I wouldn't be a stick in the mud. Sometimes those things just ... I was a big fan of "Happy Days" and I remember watching some of those reunion shows and it just made me a little sad.

Sometimes, I think it's best to just preserve it and remember it how it was in its heyday. You can watch "Full House" 100 times a day in syndication anyway. [Laughs]









What's next for you?

I'm returning to "90210" and next week, I'm starting an indie film that I'm excited about. It's exciting for me because my character is psychotic. [Laughs]

And I'm also working on a reality show with Go Go Luckey. You just can't beat reality TV these days so I figured, "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em."

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