Full House was a popular family sitcom that ran from 1987-1995. Over its 8 season run, audiences became very attached to the show and its characters, thanks to its expert balance of humor and family drama. Like many other shows during this time, Full House followed a very specific and familiar pattern, in which almost every problem was solved in around 22 minutes. The series was so popular that it was eventually rebooted on Netflix under the title, Fuller House.
Though this series wasn’t nearly as successful as the original, it doesn’t take away from the fond memories that audiences from the early 90s have. However, not every episode is remembered so fondly. Especially in the show’s later years, the quality really seemed to dip at times. To look at some of the lower moments of the series, here is our list of the 10 Worst episodes of Full House, according to IMDB.
S05 E05: The King And I (6.5)
As Jesse struggles to get his band signed, he ends up snapping at other members of the family before a big trip. Looking for inspiration, Jesse heads to a cafe after leaving everyone else behind. While there, a man who both looks and sounds like Elvis Presley approaches Jesse and listens to his struggles. After the two talk it out, Jesse returns home with some newfound inspiration and also manages to patch things up with the rest of the family.
Considering how this episode fits with others in the series, it doesn’t really offer much. It certainly has a weaker family dynamic and not a whole lot of humor. Likewise, it feels a lot like filler in terms of the story at hand, making it easy to see how this one is a bit weaker than others from the series.
S05 E09: Happy Birthday, Babies: Part 1 (6.5)
With Becky now pregnant at this point in the show, Michelle begins to worry since she’ll lose her status as the baby of the family. Throughout the episode, most of the family deals with the change in Michelle’s behavior. By the end, Michelle comes to terms with her new role in the family, especially after everyone else’s reassurance.
The unfortunate thing about this episode is that it feels like a necessary rough step for the following one. In Happy Birthday, Babies: Part 2, Becky actually gives birth to the twins, adding even more to the family. Though Part 2 is also significantly stronger than Part 1, the focus on the twins simply just made for a more compelling story.
S05 E16: Crushed (6.5)
According to IMDB, season 5 of Full House was one of the worst overall. With many lower scores for each episode, it is not so surprising that so many of them landed on this list. Crushed focuses mostly on Stephanie and DJ, as a famous singer is invited to perform at Stephanie’s birthday party. When the singer arrives though, tensions form between the sisters after Stephanie sees D.J. kissing him.
Though everything is once again resolved by the end of the episode, Crushed just feels a lot like the typical, forced family drama that has been seen on TV countless numbers of times. With very little humor to boost the episode as well, this is easily one of the weaker ones in the whole series.
S07 E04: Tough Love (6.5)
With Nicky and Alex’s behavior causing all sorts of trouble for each member of the family, Becky and Jesse are torn on what to do. Both feel that the children are disciplined enough, but pressures from Danny and Joey say otherwise.
Once again, there is a lot of weaker family drama throughout the episode. While it was nice to see the twins get the spotlight, Becky and Jesse should have both done something about their behavior well before it got to this point.
S07 E24: A House Divided (6.5)
After several complaints about the size of the house and a massive bid for the Tanners to move out, the family decides to move. While everyone else is happy about the decision, Michelle remains unhappy, since this was the only home she ever knew. In the end, after a few antics, the gang, of course, decides to stay.
Overall, the episode is incredibly predictable. Especially this late in the series, audiences know that the house isn’t going to be sold. Furthermore, while it is nice to see inner family turmoil not serving as the main source of tension, the external drama just isn’t as satisfying as it likely could have been.
S07 E06: Smash Club: The Next Generation (6.5)
The biggest problem of this episode is that so much happens all at once. On one hand, Becky and Danny begin to prepare for a sumo wrestling segment on their show. On the other hand, Jesse tries to reopen the Smash Club with hopes of becoming the new owner. Lastly, Michelle tries to manipulate Nicky and Alex into being her own personal servants.
While there is actually a good bit of humor in the episode, so much happens that could have easily been left for a later episode. Simply put, there just isn’t enough focus on any specific storyline for the episode to truly feel complete.
S08 E07: On The Road Again (6.4)
On the Road Again focuses heavily on Jesse as he and his new band play a gig at an old location. With DJ also growing incredibly close to one of Jesse’s bandmates, Danny begins to grow worried. After DJ sneaks out to go to the gig, Danny tracks her down, infuriated. In the end, the two reconcile and Danny learns to trust DJ’s choice as she begins to date more and more.
Looking back, a lot of moments in the episode feel forced. DJ’s sudden romantic interest can’t help but feel very uncharacteristic. Though it is nice to see her have some one-on-one time with Danny, especially at an older age, it doesn’t make up for some of the bland drama in the rest of the episode, making it easy to see why this is the second-worst episode of the whole series.
S07 E18: Kissing Cousins (6.3)
Much like season 5, season 7 of Full House is also burdened by many weaker episodes. In Kissing Cousins, Jesse returns home from his grandfather’s funeral with his cousin. However, his cousin quickly creates tensions as the family discovers that he is a massive con artist. In the end, Becky and the girls manage to come up with a counter scheme to catch Jesse’s cousin in the act and expose him as a fraud.
Like other episodes on this list, the plotline feels very played out. Considering how everything gets resolved in under a half-hour, so much happens that could be developed a bit further. Likewise, seeing the family under that much stress wasn’t fun for anyone.
S07 E21: Be Your Own Best Friend (6.3)
Once again, Be Your Own Best Friend feels like it has too much going on. With three main plotlines in the episode, it is easy for some characters to feel sidelined while the stories themselves fail to flourish. Likewise, the episode focuses on a lot of drama that feels like it has been covered earlier in the show as well.
Considering how well the family knows each other by this point, much of the drama feels as though it shouldn’t have happened to begin with. Overall, Be Your Own Best Friend can’t help but feel like a waste, especially for how strong other episodes in the season are.
S08 E15: My Left and Right Foot (6.1)
As the worst of the worst, My Left and Right Foot sees Michelle having nightmares about growing massive feet. After teasing from her two older sisters, Michelle’s anxiety about her feet grows so much that Danny is once again forced to step in to help.
Considering Michelle is not too young at this point, the episode almost seems ridiculous in that she is certainly old enough to know better. Also, considering all the other situations the family has been in over the years, this seems like a very minor obstacle for them to overcome. Lastly, considering this episode is close to the series finale, it just feels as though there are much more important things for the show to focus on than nightmares about feet.