Bill Maherrecently revealed why he turned downBob Saget's role inFull Houseduring an interview withJohn Stamos.
On the December 29 episode of Maher'sClub Randompodcast, theReal Time With Bill Maherhost and Stamos chatted about a wide range of topics. Stamos, 62, explained to Maher, 69, that his mentor,Garry Marshall, recommended him toFull Houseproducers Thomas L. Miller andRobert L. Boyettfor the role of Uncle Jesse Katsopolis.
That's when Maher admitted, "I may be misremembering this, but I think I was offered the part onFull House."
"The Saget role?" Stamos clarified, of Danny Tanner in the beloved sitcom. "You might have."
"I seem to remember it being a big thing," Maher continued. "We really debated it because it was money, and it was the lead on a show. But we just thought it wasn't right for me. Kids? Me, kids?"
He then pointed out,"But of course, Bob, that was a good decision on both parts, if that was the case. Because I took this other show calledHard Knockson Showtime."
Maher added, "But it was cool. We were mismatched detectives. Tom Hinckley was like a redneck detective, and I was Gower Rhodes, the hippie detective with long hair."
Initially, as Stamos explained, Saget was not available to play Danny onFull House.
"There was this guy named John Posey, [who]did the pilot," he explained. "And then Bob became available, and then he came on."
Full Houseaired for eight seasons from 1987 to 1995. In 2016, the spinoffFuller Housepremiered, and Stamos, Saget, andDave Coulierreprised their roles as Danny, Jesse, and Joey Gladstone in guest roles. Meanwhile,Candace Cameron Burereturned to star as DJ Tanner,Jodie Sweetinas Stephanie Tanner, andAndrea Barberas Kimmy Gibbler. (Mary-Kate OlsenandAshley Olsendid not return to play Michelle Tanner.)Scott Weingeralso returned as Steve Hale.
Additionally, Michael Campion played Jackson Fuller,Elias Harger played Max Fuller, and Dashiell Messitt and Fox Messitt played Tommy Fuller, DJ's sons.John Brothertonalso joined as Dr. Matt Harmon,Adam Hagenbuchjoined as Jimmy Gibbler, andJuan Pablo Di Pacejoined as Fernando.
Full House, streaming on Disney+ and Hulu
Real Time with Bill Maher, Season 24, Premieres, Friday, January 23, 2026, HBO
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