Full House, a beloved family sitcom that aired for eight seasons, has sparked a theory that suggests it is not the only show in its universe.
This theory proposes that there are four TGIF sitcoms that exist within one shared on-screen world. TGIF, a block of television programming on ABC, was introduced in the 1980s and consisted of family-forward sitcoms.
Though not every show in the 11-year lineup has a clear connection, five series had crossover episodes, establishing that these shows exist within the same world. These series include Perfect Strangers, Family Matters, Full House, Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper, and Step by Step.
However, it was Steve Urkel who truly brought all the series together. Due to his immense popularity, Urkel made appearances on various sitcoms, including Full House.
In a Full House cameo in 1991, he helped Stephanie adjust to wearing glasses and interacted with the show’s beloved characters. Michelle Tanner from Full House also appeared in Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper, and Urkel had a cameo in Step by Step, further connecting the five series.
If Full House and Step by Step are in the same universe due to the Steve Urkel connection, Stamos’s appearance in Step by Step becomes problematic. This cameo challenges the seamless connectivity that the theory proposes. Despite this setback, it is still reasonable to consider Full House as part of the same universe as the other TGIF sitcoms.
