Pop Culture Retrospective Episode #7 - John Stamos: from hamburger flipper to soap opera star to Uncle Jesse! Have mercy!

Introduction:

Have you ever bid on something on e-bay?  What was it?  Maybe it was a camera, or a collectible item, maybe you have even sold something.  

Teenage heartthrob, television star and ageless actor John Stamos once got into a bidding war with a very famous celebrity on e-bay.  As the auction came to a close, Stamos won a very large entrance sign from Disneyland.  He paid about $30k for it, winning against none other than Michael Jackson who had gotten distracted during the online auction.  Michael Jackson would later call Stamos to discuss his loss and ask him if they could go to DL someday together.  This is just one example of the unique character of John Stamos, an actor who has lived a very endearing and fascinating life.  

John Stamos is most known for the years he spent playing Uncle Jesse on TV.  While I don’t recall my sister ever being a fan of the show, I do distinctly remember the crush she had on him for pretty much all of her adult life.  The more I learned about him, the more I really started to understand the long-standing appeal of John Stamos and not just because he is so attractive with perfect hair and porcelin-white teeth.  On today’s show you will learn that John Stamos  is incredibly family-oriented, a Disney fanatic like me and my sister and he uses his fame for many meaningful causes.  

So slick back your Uncle Jesse Mullet and put your Beach Boys album into your tape deck, here we go!

Hello and thank you so very much for tuning in to the Pop Culture Retrospective Podcast, a show inspired by, and in memory of, my big sister Rebecca and her love for all things pop-culture, especially the people, places and things of the 80s, 90s and early 00s.  You are tuning in to Episode #7 - John Stamos, an icon of television and a household name, especially in the 1980s and early 1990s.  My sister absolutely loved John Stamos and I’m pretty sure she was always on the lookout for him during the years she spent living in California.  I would have been on the lookout for Janet Jackson, but hey, to each their own.

John Phillip Stamos - born on August 19, 1963

• Cypress, California (coincidentally same hometown as Jodie Sweetin who played Stephanie)
• Born to Loretta Phillips (who is of Irish decent), model & William Stamos, restaurateur 
  • Dad’s side is Greek, surname was actually Stamotopoulos
  • As an adult, Mom said he was an ugly baby
• Two younger sisters, Janeen and Alaina, both are teachers
• Young age, father encouraged and taught John about having a solid work ethic
  • Worked at Family’s fast food restaurant, Yellow Basket, beginning when he was 13 and continuing on for most of his teenage years and into his early adulthood
  • When he eventually got into acting, his father once said:  “when you go to work, don’t forget to treat your janitor the same way you treat the producer.” He never forgot this. 
• At 14 years old, he saw his first Beach Boys Concert - he has loved them and appreciated their music ever since, more on that later
  • Really lit a creative fire in John, he decided he wanted to become a musician and an actor. In high school he played drums in the marching band - music has stayed a life-long passion of his.  
• Grew up about 20 minutes from Knotts Berry Farm and Disneyland, source of inspiration for him to pursue his dreams and never give up.  He said that - believe or not, he was a huge nerd growing up and while other teenagers were out drinking and such, he went to Disneyland on Friday and Saturday nights.  He would go on the attractions like the Matterhorn and Pirates of the Carribean and would stay and listen to the bands playing like the Main Street Band…..
• In 1981, he was slated to attend Cypress Community College, but he was able to convince his Dad to let him pursue acting.  They agreed he would take off 1 semester to see where this would take him.  
• Relatively quickly, just a few weeks after making that decision, he auditioned and got the role of Blackie Parrish on the popular soap opera, General Hospital.  Is anyone else reminded of being home sick and the only choice of shows to watch (before streaming, on demand, etc.) and I remember feeling very bored, but perhaps his performance made GH more interesting, missed it by a few years.    
  • Only supposed to appear on 5 episodes but he was instantly popular so he stayed on for a few years
    • During the first few months he was on the show, his dad insisted that he continue working at the restaurant which he did for about 3 months until it was clear he’d be staying on the show, plus he was often distracted while working by fans wanting a photograph or an autograph so his dad let him cease working.
  • 1982-1984 he was on the show
    • In 83 & 84, he was nominated for a daytime Emmy for his portrayal of Blackie, who was living on the streets following the death of his mother.  He was adopted by two doctors and he helped his adoptive father build a youth center.  Bringing real life to the small screen, Blackie played the drums in a band.  
    • Even though he made it big with General Hospital, he continued to drive his El Camino, which originally belonged to his Dad.  He apparently still has that car.  
  • Won two Soap Opera Digest Awards during this time 
    • Magazine that has been in publication since 1975, comes out weekly (often see it at the checkout line at the grocery store), features news regarding soap operas behind the scenes and off screen.  
    • I’m sure it’s the most coveted award he’s ever won

In 1985, he started playing drums for the Beach Boys.  It happened during a 4th of July performance.  He apparently did so well that he ended up touring with them off and on.

After his stint on General Hospital, he starred in a few short-lived TV shows and a movie.  Little did he know that the most iconic role of his career was ‘waiting just around the bend…."

TV/Film success

• 1987 he got the role of Uncle Jesse on ABC’s Full House 
  • Originally his name on the series was going to Jesse Cochran, but Stamos advocated that his character should have a last name that reflected his Greek heritage, so it was changed to Katsopolis.  
• I think everyone is relatively familiar with this show, but in case you are not, the premise of Full House was focused around Danny Tanner (played by Bob Saget) who is the widowed Father of 3 girls- DJ Tanner played by Candance Cameron, Stephanie played by:  Jodie Sweetin and Michelle played by MK and AO.  Danny Tanner was sort of neurotic and a neat-freak, he works in broadcasting.  Danny’s brother in law, Jesse Katsopolis (played by John Stamos) and his close friend, Joey Gladstone (played by Dave Couilier) come to live with him to help him raise the girls. Uncle Jesse works as an exterminator for his Dad’s company (perhaps mirroring his real life) but eventually leaves to work in advertising which he often does with Joey. Joey was referred to as “Uncle Joey.”  The backstory with the three was Joey and Danny were friends during their childhood and Joey and Jesse were close friends as adults.  And much like medical professionals in a crisis, they triage! 
  • Quick side note:  Dave Couilier is a stand-up comedian who got his start in comedy by impersonating his high school Principal and various faculty members on the PA system.  He is also a talented voice over artist, he did the voices of Animal and Bunsen on the Muppet Babies - one of me and my sister’s all-time favorite cartoons.  Dave Coulier actually knew Bob Saget before the show started as they were both in stand up comedy and Dave was struggling to make a living as a comedian. He couch surfed at Bob Saget’s house for a while.  Also, before starring in Full House, Dave Coulier starred in Out of Control which was sort of a sketch comedy show, had recurring segments, it originally aired on Nickelodeon from 1984-1985.  Dave Coulier used some of the character development he did for this show and applied it to his character of Joey Gladstone.  One thing that initiated through Out of Control was his signature catch phrase, “Cut it Out.”  In the early 1990s, Dave Coulier dated singer Alanis Morrisette and there’s always been a rumor that he was the inspiration for the popular song, “You Outta Know.”  I just cannot see them as ever being a couple but perhaps they bonded over having been on short-lived TV shows on Nickelodeon in the early 1980s - he in the previously mentioned show Out of Control and her in several episodes of ‘You Can’t Do that on Television.”  Both of these shows will be discussed in a future episode of the PCRP.  Back to the show….

• Full House was set in San Francisco, had a very memorable opening credits (which are 1.5 minutes long) where we first see the family driving over the Golden Gate Bridge in a convertible, then goes through the cast, has the classic, character doing something like Stamos playing the guitar of course and smiling while his name appears, Candace Cameron setting her childhood photo on the mantel and turns around and smiles, oh wait, what, hi, aww geez, are you really filming me? Lori Loughlin was smelling roses and oh there's a camera, time to smile! Then various shots of the family doing stuff at home and around San Francisco like riding the trolley, and having a picnic in the park in front of their house.  
  • Back to Uncle Jesse, who originally had a mullet, was sort of the cool uncle who loved the Beach Boys and Elvis, just like John in real life. Side note- John is such a huge fan that he is actually the narrator of the Elvis tour at Graceland.  Uncle Jesse is sort of overwhelmed at first by taking care of the girls, but becomes more and more comfortable as time passes on and he really does start to feel like an uncle any kid would want.  He is obsessed with his hair and often said something along the lines of “watch it with the hair, huh.”  He is a bit unlucky in love at times, but ends up marrying Becky Donaldson, played by the beautiful Lori Loughlin.  They end up having two children and build an apartment kind of space in the attic of the house. 
  • The show followed a pretty typical format, which so many sitcoms of the time follow- starts off light, then there is a typically light-hearted problem (for example, DJ is made fun of by a clique of girls at school, Stephanie and DJ accidentally damage a wall in their dad’s room) and then a resolution to all of that happens, generally with some corny/light hearted and what was intended to be touching music.  Maybe one of the girls would be upset about their mother being deceased and Danny would chime in:  “You may not have a Mom anymore, but you have an Uncle Jesse, Uncle Joey and a Dad and we love you very much.”  They did touch on more serious topics though including:  grief, eating disorders and child abuse among others.

• I can’t say my sister and I were huge fans of Full House by any means, but I think part of the reason why it stayed on for so long is because the actors on the show had good chemistry.  Uncle Jesse and Uncle Joey really felt like your super cool and funny uncles, the 3 girls felt like sisters and Danny felt like America’s dad. Show was generally light-hearted, not stressful to watch, and it aired first on Friday nights which then evolved into TGIF which was a big deal in the 1990s. Some shows that were part of the TGIF lineup around this time included:  Perfect Strangers, Step by Step, and Family Matters.  Did you know that Family Matters was a spin off of Perfect Strangers?  Neither did I, once again, mind blown!
• Show ran for 8 seasons
  • After season 8, the show was going to move networks from ABC to the WB.  He strongly disagreed with this move and Candace Cameron (later CCB) wanted to attend college so it ended after season 8.  
• Stamos has said that he has never really watched any episodes of Full House because of regrettable hair and dated outfits. 

During the show’s run, there were a few episodes that featured the Beach Boys including one where they perform together.  Stamos has gone on to play music with them in music videos and across the country. He starred in the 1988 music video for Kokomo which was featured on the soundtrack for Cocktail, a movie that I owned and watched over and over again.  I pretended like I had a crush on Tom Cruise, but really it was because of Elizabeth Shue.  Stamos and the Beach Boys collaborated on the song ‘Forever’ which Uncle Jesse sang at his wedding to Becky.  At the time I really loved that song, here are some of the lyrics in case you have forgotten this 90’s hit:  

 If every word I said, could you make you laugh, I’d talk forever 

(together my love)

 I ask the sky just what we had

 Oh, it shone forever 

(together my love)

 If the song I sing to you

 Could fill your heart with joy

 I’d sing forever

 (together my love)

 Forever, forever

 I’ve been so happy loving you 

1990- voted one of the most beautiful people in world by People Magazine

In 1991 he became the “it” couple when he dated Paula Abdul.  There were a lot of rumors swirling that the song Cold-Hearted snake was written about him, but that song came out in 1989 which was before they had even met.  If that doesn’t show that he really and truly made it, I don’t know what does! Their relationship was relatively short, but definitely note-worthy when he came to celebrities of the time.  

1994 he released an independent album called Shades of Blue.  Allegedly John is more of a talented musician than he gets credit for - in addition to the drums, he can also play the bass, guitar and the keyboard.

Has stayed connected with many of his former Full House co-stars and has many famous friends:

• Close friends with Bob Saget - who, believe or not is a very adult-oriented comedian, a far cry from the squeaky clean and sweater-wearing Dad he played on TV
• Thinks fondly of MK and AO - he once said “Marykate and Ashley Olson who played Michelle were great.  I miss them, I love them and I need to borrow some money from them.
  • In case you didn’t know, according to People Magazine, MK and AO initially earned $2400 per episode when Full House first started, then $25k and then 80k.  Also, between real estate investments, Full House money of course and fashion ventures, each are worth somewhere around $250 million dollars.  
• Another close friend was legendary comedian Don Rickles and Howard Stern.  John and Don were actually on Howard Stern together in 2007 and John performed in the wedding band at Howard Stern’s wedding.  

2003 saw his most challenging and profound acting gig of his career- a commercial for 10 10 987.  Does anyone remember that?  In lieu of using your standard landline phone company for long distance, different companies started popping up that would allow you to dial several digits like 10 10 987 before making your long distance call to save a bit of money since those calls could be so expensive.  

Stamos has gone on to star in ER and many TV shows and made-for-tv movies following his riveting performance in the 10 10 987 commercials.  

He performed in several musicals on Broadway and showed that he can really sing and dance.  He was in ‘How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying’, ‘Cabaret’ and Bye, Bye Birdie

• In 2009 he got a star on Hollywood Walk of Fame for this work

One of the reasons why my sister liked him so much and why I realized I do too is because he loves Disneyland and Disney and one of the last places I visited with my sister when she was well was Disneyland.  I own a Disneyland mug that she bought me a number of years ago and it’s one of my most prized possessions.  Somedays I am scared to use it.  

• Like I mentioned earlier, John Stamos is a life-long Disneyland and Disney fan - he collects a lot of Disneyland memorabilia including a Dumbo the Flying elephant attraction vehicle, and also a vehicle from Snow White’s Scary Adventures.  Further, he also owns a devil from Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride and he acquired that fabulous Disneyland sign we discussed earlier.  He has the first letter in his backyard that is visible by many of his celebrity neighbors. 

Stamos has dealt with some loss over the course of his life which had a huge impact on him.  He lost his father in 1989 which was incredibly difficult for him, then he got divorced in 2005 from Rebecca Romaijn Stamos. Following these two events, he developed some unhealthy habits.  In 2014, he lost his mother and that really pushed him over the edge and I imagine brought up a lot of loss for him.  He got arrested for a DUI in 2016 and sought out help for his alcohol addiction and dependence on Ambien. Stamos is now in a much healthier place and once he got there, good things started to happen.

He started dating actress Caitlin McHugh in 2016 and Disneyland ended up playing an important role in their relationship.  She is a huge Disneyland fan as well and often dresses up when she visits the park.  They dated for about a year and in 2017, he proposed.  

He brought her to the Animation building and several of the romantic scenes from famous Disney and Pixar movies and toward the end, Sebastian, the crab from Little Mermaid was holding a sign that said “Ask the Girl” reminiscent of the famous song- “Kiss the Girl” from the 1989 hit movie.  They got to spend their engagement night in the dream suite at Disneyland which is a 2200 square foot apartment inspired by Walt Disney located in New Orleans Square above Pirates of the Carribean.  They ran around the park after it closed.  They married in February of 2018 and welcomed a son, Billy in April of 2018, named after Stamo’s Dad.  He has often said that he had to wait a long time to find the right person and he is enamored with his son which is quite apparent if you watch interviews when Billy is brought up.  In several you can see him getting sincerely choked up when talking about him.  You can tell he wanted to have children for a very long time and although he had to wait quite a long time, it’s quite apparent that it was well worth the wait.  Both of Stamos parents passed away before Billy was born and so speaking about Billy and not having his parents around is also emotional for him.  It has often been said that a person’s sense of smell is the closest sense to memory.  John Stamos apparently wears the same cologne that his father does.  

Another reason why John Stamos is such a likeable person is because he uses his fame for many good causes.  First, he and his wife started a jewelry company called St. Amo’s jewelry, all of the proceeds go to non-profit called Child help which aids children who are the victims of child abuse.  He is the national spokesperson for Project Cuddle which is an organization that works to prevent child abandonment by helping connect expectant mothers with resources they may need, including:  pre-natal care, shelter and can also assist with adoptive placement. 

Reboot of Full House called Fuller House first aired in 2016

• Theme song was updated and performed by Carly Rae Jepsen who you may remember from the earworm- ‘Call Me Maybe’
• Reboot started 4 years ago and through this month on Netflix.  While the nostalgic side of me was excited for it, I let my sister know, it is pretty terrible and I couldn’t get through more than 1 or 2 episodes.  But I’m sure for die-hard Full House fans, this was a dream come true.  

I hope you have enjoyed this look back at the life and career of John Stamos, my cousin reminded me of my sister's adoration of him.  

Aside from his role in Full-House, I appreciated learning more about him because his love of Disneyland and his family is so genuine and so relatable.  I don’t think he has taken his success for granted and this became even more apparent when I learned that he kept the loveseat from the set of Full House, the blue and beige checkered one.  

He posted it on instagram once and it was jammed in the doorway and it he wrote:  “ Baby safety gate or one of the most iconic couches in pop TV history? You, make the call”  How can you not love this guy?

If you are enjoying the PCRP, please consider subscribing on whichever podcast platform you use.  Please also consider rating the show on iTunes or Apple podcasts, it helps the show out a lot! 

We have crossed two major milestones with this episode.  This is episode #7, but technically it is Episode #8 if you include my Introductory episode (which, if you haven’t listened to yet, please do so, may help you to understand the inspiration for the show a bit more).  I have learned a lot about podcasting in the past few months and it sounds like a lot of people quit podcasting after episode 7.  It is a lot of work for me to be honest, but I have really enjoyed doing this and it feels amazing to do something productive with my painful and sometimes debilitating grief that hits me countless times each day.  If this show has brought a smile to your face or if you have laughed at one of my subtle and sarcastic jokes, well then it’s worth it.  Life is hard sometimes and I know that everyone is carrying something or has something on their mind that maybe people aren’t aware of so hopefully this has helped you escape for a little bit, I know that podcasts have always done that for me for the 10+ years that I have been listening to them. The other milestone that we have reached on this show is the hundreds of downloads that have occured since the show first premiered at the end of May.  As of the recording of this show, PCR has been downloaded over 300 times and not just in the United States but far away places like France, Brazil, Australia, Switzerland, Columbia and others, I am really and truly flattered. Thank you so much for tuning in and for your support.  Please tell your friends and family about this show!  Please feel free to contact me, my email address is:  popcultureretrospective@gmail.com or you can tweet me, I’m @popcultureretro

I will be doing some traveling with my family (social distancing approved of course) over the next few weeks so there may be some longer gaps between shows, but I will get right back to it as soon as I can.  When the next show is released, I hope you will join me as we will be taking a look at Rainbow Brite, the classic 80s cartoon that my sister loved.  Until then...