For months Netflix and the cast of the ‘90s show “Full House” have been endlessly promoting the reboot of the fan-favorite series, “Fuller House.” On February 26, Netflix subscribers — or anyone with access to a Netflix username and password — can finally get a look at the show’s long-rumored revival that has now come to fruition. The problem? If you believe a solid number of seasoned TV reviewers, the show is not very good.
To be more precise, it’s pretty awful.
The Hollywood Reporter’s Daniel Fienberg scathes, “It's doubtful that there will be a more painful 2016 TV episode than the ‘Fuller House’ pilot, which takes an inexcusable 35 minutes to establish a plot that is just an inversion of the original ‘Full House’ premise.”
Deadline’s Dominic Patten calls the show a “Potemkin village,” writing it is apparent why Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, who played baby Michelle in the original, opted to steer clear.
“Maybe we know now why the Olsen twins decided to not participate. And it’s a real shame because ‘Fuller House’ starts off so well, with almost everyone else from ‘Full House’ on board and back in that Bay Area home… but unfortunately the adults basically become absentee landlords after the first episode and the series sags fast.”
Variety labels the reboot as “self-obsessed.”
The magazine’s Chief TV Critic Maureen Ryan predicts, “Those who enjoyed the original ‘Full House’ and who don’t mind its patented blend of cloying sentiment, cutesy mugging and predictable humor might find enjoyment in this unspectacular retread. However every time John Stamos wanders through ‘Fuller House,’ we’re reminded that it’s possible to see a better version of this sitcom — in Stamos’ ‘Grandfathered,’ for Fox.”
Even the Associated Press had few kind words for the series, proclaiming it may find favor with die-hard fans of the original but others are “strenuously cautioned” from tuning in.
The AP review by columnist Frazier Moore is touted with the headline, “'Fuller House' may please fans (but no one else).”
Did any reviewers like the show? Sort of.
Newsday’s Verne Gay gave the series a “B+” rating.
He explains, “This will be a hit, if only because old friendships must be rekindled, along with emotions too deep for words — even if those words are ‘cut it OUT!,’ and ‘You got it, dude.’”
And Mashable’s Hillary Busis, like the AP, speculates fans will favor the series.
“There's a good chance you'll find this aggressively retro, unabashedly cheesy exercise in nostalgia bait charming in spite of yourself.”
A shining ray of hope for the "Fuller House" bunch may be that the original series never found favor with critics during its run.
Newsday's Gay recalls, "It may be best not to ask critics about the enduring appeal of 'Full House.' When that ABC hit left the air in May 1995, scarcely any appreciations ran in newspapers."
Will fans love the new series? We'll see.
The entire first season of “Fuller House” becomes available on Netflix on February 26.
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