Full House is arguably one of the funniest sitcoms to grace the curved TV screens of the 1980s and ’90s. The Tanner family and friends are remembered for more than their heartwarming moments. Thanks to Joey’s goofy antics, Michelle’s catchphrases, Kimmy Gibbler’s mishaps, and laugh-out-loud comedic deliveries, this show will forever live in the sitcom Hall of Fame.

Full House fans may watch and re-watch this beloved series for nostalgia, but they will always treasure it for its delightful humor. The average sitcom relies on the comedic strengths of two to three main characters, while the side characters tend to only fill in with dialogue as needed. What makes Full House great is that every single cast member, including those who only make occasional appearances, is brilliantly funny each time and in their own individual way.

10

Michelle Shows off Her Comedic Skills in “Crimes and Michelle’s Demeanor”

Season 4, Episode 2

Three-year-old Michelle Tanner (played by twin actors Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen) starts a pillow fight with her older sisters D.J. and Stephanie, which ends in a broken window. Michelle wiggles her finger at them and delivers a fan-favorite catchphrase: “You’re in big trouble, Misters!” She runs off to tattle, despite having started the fight, and later, she intentionally creates even more trouble for her siblings.

The Olsen twins were precocious girls who could deliver lines like seasoned Hollywood actors. Up until this season, Michelle had had very few speaking parts on screen because she was an infant and then a toddler. The “Crimes and Michelle’s Demeanor” episode allowed Michelle’s character to show off her physical and verbal acting skills, so it deserves recognition as one of the funniest Full House episodes.

9

Dave Coulier Injected His Original Jokes in “Jingle Hell”

Season 2, Episode 5

Uncle Jesse played guitar in a band before moving into the Tanner’s San Francisco townhouse, and “Uncle” Joey works as a stand-up comedian. One day, they decide to combine their musical and comedic talents by writing jingles for commercials. However, during the creative process, they disagree on Joey’s incorporation of puppetry; meanwhile, at the house, D.J. squabbles with Stephanie about using her things without asking.

Joey Gladstone (Dave Coulier) and Jesse Katsopolis (John Stamos) are hands down the funniest actors/characters on the show. Dave Coulier incorporated his real-life stand-up routine into Joey’s character, which included puppets, zany-sounding voices, and his signature catchphrases. For the first time on the show, fans were treated to Joey uttering “Cut. It. Out!” while miming scissors and cutting the air with his hands. Also, the feud between Jesse and Joey mirrors the fight between Stephanie and D.J., and this is comical because it compares two grown men threatening to end their friendship over an insignificant puppet to the typical, yet melodramatic arguments of siblings.

8

Kimberly Gibbler Kept Viewers Guessing in “Back to School Blues”

Season 3, Episode 2

D.J. (Cameron Candace Bure) and Kimmy Gibbler (Andrea Barber) each have a disastrous first day of junior high school, where they are excluded by the other teen girls for dressing like elementary kids. They decide to ditch their overalls and hair bows for form-fitting dresses, high heels, and layers of makeup.

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“Back to School Blues” is a sweet coming-of-age episode for D.J., but it is also downright hilarious to watch Kimmy and D.J. “assume the position” to apply mascara. Afterward, Kimmy not only shows off her blue dress with a padded bra but also her whimsical and obnoxious self as she announces in an overly dramatic voice, “Call me… Kimberly.” Kimberly’s comedic style took the unexpected to the next level. Fans never knew exactly what she was going to say or do, but it would always be funny.

7

“D.J.’s Choice” Perfectly Showcases What Makes Each of the Full House Cast So Hilarious

Season 8, Episode 12

As the episode’s title implies, D.J. has to choose between two boys who both want to date her. The antics start in this episode when Danny and the other adults find a rundown neighborhood park and decide to renovate its playground equipment. Joey accidentally cuts Jesse’s family heirloom hammer in half with a power saw, and an overly tightened see-saw sends Kimmy flying through the air.

“D.J.’s Choice” expertly brings together the entire cast and allows each character to showcase their best comedic chops: Jesse as the “bad boy,” Joey as the lovable goof, Danny as the bumbling dad, Becky as the witty aunt, and Kimmy as the campy clown. The back-and-forth dialogue and physical comedy routine between Jesse and Joey work especially well in this episode. Kimmy, normally a bit of an “airhead,” delivers a perfect line of sarcasm at one point, treating fans to an unexpected laugh.

6

“Smash Club” Skit Goes Down in Sitcom History

Season 7, Episode 6

Jesse decides to open a bar/nightclub but needs to get approved for a bank loan first, so he enlists Joey’s help to clean up the rundown place. Joey looks under the bar, mistakes a dirty towel for a rat, panics, and rams his head right up through the counter. Jesse tries to free him, but Joey is wedged tight.

“Smash Club” is an episode where clever writing, plot tension, and solid acting are perfectly married. In this episode of one of the best sitcoms of the 1980s, David Coulier and John Stamos really show off their physical comedy skills in this routine that is reminiscent of an old The Three Stooges skit. And, the funny parts viewers may see coming around the corner are immediately followed up with completely unexpected zingers.

5

Joey Gives His Best Impersonation of Popeye in “Little Shop of Sweaters”

Season 2, Episode 14

Joey and his date, Cheryl, plan to attend a costume event for Valentine’s Day, where attendants must dress up as famous romantic couples. Obviously, he chooses Popeye and Olive Oyl. Joey dresses in full Popeye attire, complete with huge, fake forearms. Michelle toddles out into the living room, dressed like Swee’Pea. Her hair is even pulled underneath a bald cap with a brown, curly pipe cleaner as a single hair.

Dave Coulier’s scope of impersonations shines at its best in “Little Shop of Sweaters,” which is why fans consider this episode one of the funniest. And, while he nails the beloved cartoon character’s voice, his date struggles to mimic Olive Oyl. Ironically, the worse an actor can make their character “act,” the more hilarious it is to the audience. Firing on all cylinders in the jokes department, this story earns its place at Number Five in the rankings.

4

Danny’s Embarrassment and Jesse’s Cluelessness Crank out Laughs in “Rock the Cradle”

Season 4, Episode 26

Jesse lands a record deal with his band, and he is excited about going on tour. His wife, Becky, also has exciting news: She is pregnant. She tells Danny, Joey, and the girls, but she wants to surprise Jesse with the reveal over dinner. However, Danny and the others don’t know Jesse is still in the dark about being a father. So, when they ask if he is proud of his “miracle,” meaning the baby, Jesse thinks they are talking about his record deal.

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Smart writing brings on the laughs with the set-up of how Becky will reveal her pregnancy and the anticipation of Jesse’s reaction. However, the ingenious use of an entire conversation filled with double entendres, at the expense of Danny’s horror and embarrassment, lands “Rock the Cradle” in the top five funniest episodes. As a bonus, fans are treated to a classic Jesse line: “Have Mercy!”

3

Michelle Concedes to a Life Behind Bars in “The Bicycle Thief”

Season 7, Episode 11

Joey, Jesse, and Danny mistakenly think Michelle’s pink bike has been stolen. They search the neighborhood separately and each unknowingly take bikes that look exactly like hers. Word spreads quickly that bikes are disappearing, so Kimmy and the neighbors form a Crime Catchers organization. When Danny and the others realize Joey and Jesse have, in essence, swiped other kids’ bikes, Michelle shakes her head and announces: “I’m going to the slammer!”

Classic comedy elements are pulled together in “The Bicycle Thief.” The absurdity of the honest Tanner family members becoming thieves, the ridiculousness of three identical pink-tasseled kid bikes with training wheels filling Michelle’s bedroom, and the unexpectedness of Kimmy Gibbler playing the part of a serious, crime “investigator” all come together to create an especially amusing formula.

2

“Our Very First Show” Delivers an Unusual but Entertaining Family Dynamic

Season 1, Episode 1

In the show’s premiere, Danny is adjusting to life as a widower and single dad to three daughters: ten-year-old D.J., five-year-old Stephanie, and one-year-old Michelle. His brother-in-law Jesse and childhood friend Joey come to the rescue and move into the house with the Tanners. One evening, Danny has to work late, so he asks Jesse and Joey to babysit the girls, and the result is hysterical.

“Our Very First Show” is one of fans’ absolute favorites because it gives the viewers exactly what they signed up for when watching this sitcom—an unusual family dynamic that is entertaining. The ignorance of three, otherwise capable and loving, grown men brought to light when trying to raise three young, sweet girls is delivered with perfectly written dialogue, directing, and acting. Each interaction between the adults and children is a learning moment for both groups, as well as an endless supply of chuckles and laughs for the audience.

1

“Honey, I Broke the House” Weaves Classic Comedic Elements Together Flawlessly

Season 3, Episode 20

Joey is supposed to be supervising the kids, while D.J. and Kimmy are upstairs doing homework. But when he notices a nick in the red color of his classic car “Rosie,” he heads to the store to buy some touch-up paint, leaving Stephanie alone with the car in the backyard. Stephanie innocently tries to start the radio and ends up reversing the car through the walls of the house.

Again, several comedic elements are layered on top of each other to produce side-splitting results. The ridiculous idea of an eight-year-old driving a car, the tension of easy-going Joey finding his classic and irreplaceable car being wrecked, and the audacious plot line of a car destroying the family’s kitchen all sync beautifully. The bow tying this witty and uproarious gift of an episode together is Michelle’s delivery of her all-time best catchphrase: “You got it, dude!” Fans universally dub “Honey, I Broke the House” as the funniest out of the entire show. This episode also secured season three as one of fans’ all-time favorites, so easily takes the Number One spot.

Full House

A widowed sportscaster raises his three daughters with assistance from his rock and roll brother-in-law and madcap best friend.

Created by

Jeff Franklin

First TV Show

full house

Cast

John Stamos, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Bob Saget, Dave Coulier, Candace Cameron Bure, Jodie Sweetin, Lori Loughlin