Summary
Kimmy Gibbler actor Andrea Barber admits to being wary of the fan backlash from retconning the family aspect of her character inFuller House. Four years since theFuller House finaleon Netflix, the family sitcom remains a comfort show on the platform thanks to its nostalgic storytelling and subject. With that comespodcasts looking back at theFull Housefranchise’s history, allowing people involved in both shows to reveal new information about their respective characters. That’s exactly the case when Barber recently addressed a major change to her character in the Netflix sequel spinoff.
In her rewatch podcast with former co-star, Jodie Sweetin,How Rude, Tanneritos!, Barber recalled her reaction to learning thatFuller Housewould introduce Kimmy’s family. She candidly shares that she was a bit nervous that the Netflix spinoff was changing her character’s established history fromFull House, afraid that the fans would hold it against her. Sweetin also chimes in, offering her two cents on the matter. Read their full quotes below:
Barber: So, when we went in to shootFuller Houseand they were going to introduce the character of Jimmy Gibbler, they said, ‘Oh, we’re so excited. We’re gonna have Jimmy Gibler!’ And I’m like, ‘Guys, no. The fans are going to lord this over me. I’m gonna get questions. I’m gonna get DMs. I’m gonna get emails for the rest of my life if you name him anything other than Garth!’
I’m like, ‘Okay. Here we go.’ And I’m still hearing about it.'
Sweetin: So, he’s obviously older. So, Jimmy was younger, though, because Jimmy’s younger than me.
So, Jimmy is a baby and does not replace Garth. But we don’t know what happened to Garth. Maybe he went to Reno and never came back, and he’s a degenerate gambler. I don’t know. Anything could be possible in the Gibbler family.
How Kimmy’s Fuller House Family Introduction Changed Her History
Kimmy Became An Honorary Tanner In Fuller House
Essentially, Kimmy became the third Tanner sister in the Netflix series. This was in light of Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsenrefusing to reprise their joint role as MichelleFuller House. This also effectively promoted Barber’s character to a main cast member from a supporting role inFull House, motivating the spinoff sequel to develop her storylines despite not being blood-related to Danny Tanner’s clan. That included having to bring in the Gibblers,Jimmy, who eventually became Stephanie’s love interest, and Mr. and Mrs. Gibbler. While Kimmy’s brother became a regular presence in the show, however, their parents only appeared once.
Fuller Housesolidified Kimmy’s place as an extended member of the Tanner family, however, upon meeting her mom and dad.
Introducing the Gibblers, as Barber mentioned, created a host of micro-continuity issues. She didn’t have a brother inFull Houseand barely mentioned her parents in the original show.Fuller Housesolidified Kimmy’s place as an extended member of the Tanner family, however, upon meeting her mom and dad. While she was treated mostly like a nuisance in the original show, seeing how neglectful her parents were made viewers sympathetic towards her. It was a bit more difficult to justify suddenly debuting Jimmy, but his arrival wasmore important to Stephanie’s storythan her sister’s.
Ultimately, it was a good decision to treat her more like a member of theTanner familyinFuller House. While DJ’s clan had been important to her storyline, Kimmy also played an important part in becoming an honorary Danny Tanner sister. She volunteered to be asurrogate for Stephanie and Jimmy’s first daughter, which was one of the best arcs in the series. Beyond that, her story with Fernando was also unique, not to mention hilarious.
Fuller House
Cast
Set years after the events of the original television series, Fuller House returns to the Tanner home where it all started, now following a grown-up D.J. Tanner-Fuller. Along with her three daughters, sister, and best friend, the group lives together in their childhood home in San Francisco, California with D.J. and Stephanie’s father, Danny. The makeshift family works together to raise their family members and explores similar themes present in the first series.
Full House (US)
Full House (1987) is a family sitcom centered on Danny Tanner, a widowed father, who enlists his brother-in-law Jesse and best friend Joey to help raise his three young daughters in San Francisco. The series features themes of family, friendship, and humor, showcasing the everyday challenges and heartwarming moments as they navigate life together. Full House starred Bob Saget, John Stamos, and Dave Coulier.
