Full House: Season 03 (1989)

Season three of Full House finds Lori Loughlin matriculating from "recurring" to "regular" status in the role of Becky Donaldson, co-host of Danny Tanner's (Bob Saget) San Francisco TV show and sweetheart of Danny's brother-in-law, Jesse Cochran (John Stamos). No, Becky and Jesse did not get married at the end of season two, but that doesn't mean they aren't still considering it. Elsewhere, the widowed Danny continues functioning as both father and mother to his three growing daughters -- 12 year old D.J. (Candace Cameron), seven-year-old Stephanie (Jodie Sweetin), and three-year-old Michelle (played by twins Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen) -- with the assistance of both Jesse and Danny's aspiring-comedian buddy Joey Gladstone (Dave Coulier). Also, future Everybody Loves Raymond star Doris Roberts takes over from season one's Alice Hirson in the role of Danny's mother, Claire. Kicking off with a riotous Hawaiian vacation, the series' third season includes such highlights as D.J.'s first kiss (at her 13th birthday party); Joey's "big break" on Star Search, hosted by Ed McMahon (playing -- who else? -- Ed McMahon); the girls getting a new puppy named Comet; Jesse's foolhardy acceptance of a life-risking dare from his old buddy Pete (Scott Baio); Stephanie's traumatic reaction to a typical Frisco earthquake; Stephanie and D.J. suffering the consequences when they teach little Michelle how to throw insults; a visit from Becky's former professor (and boyfriend), played by Barry Van Dyke of Diagnosis Murder fame; Stephanie's "wild ride" as she accidentally backs her dad's car into the family kitchen; Joey and Danny's female disguise during their tenth college-frat reunion; and in the final episode of the season, a gala TV telethon in which everyone in the cast shows off his or her hitherto untapped talents. After three years on the air, Full House finally broke through the Top 30 highest-rated programs, coming in at number 22 for the 1989-1990 season. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi