Bob Saget Movies
Bob Saget offers living proof that it is possible to dramatically (and aggressively) alter one's own show-business image in mid-act. This deceptively clean-cut writer/actor/comedian began his foray into televised entertainment typecast as a "family-oriented" comic actor, and then shocked nearly everyone by emerging as a popular "blue" comedian with raunchy standup gigs, delivered from such venues as Glitter Gulch. Throughout, Saget managed to achieve considerable success in each venue, albeit among radically different demographics.A graduate of Pennsylvania's Temple University, Saget originally planned to pursue medical studies, but a brush with the performing arts convinced him to head in that direction instead. Following a brief appearance as a doctor in the Richard Pryor-Michael Apted medical farce Critical Condition (1986), Saget achieved broad recognition in 1987 when cast as genial family man Danny Tanner, a widower and father of three, on the saccharine sitcom Full House (1987-1995). Two and a half years into that program's run, Saget concurrently turned up on another program, America's Funniest Home Videos, which -- per its title -- featured the comic actor emceeing a seemingly limitless series of humorous amateur video clips sent in by folks around the country -- in a contest that issued cash prizes for the very best. Videos, like Full House, instantly scored with the public when it bowed in January 1990; Saget remained with the series until 1997.
Beginning immediately around the time that Full House wrapped, Saget started branching off into a variety of directions; he helmed several features, including telemovies (For Hope, Jitters) and at least one theatrically released comedy (the 1998 Dirty Work), but placed his strongest emphasis on standup. The performer hosted Saturday Night Live, contributed a routine to Comic Relief, and headlined a series of standup comedy specials on pay cable that were -- as indicated -- definitively for adults. He also contributed a memorably scatological and raunchy routine to longtime friends Paul Provenza and Penn Jillette's standup documentary revue, The Aristocrats (2005). (The routine was prefaced by Saget's ironic admission, "Some people think I have a reputation of being a dirty comedian...," and intercepted by his tongue-in-cheek request to have a copy of the video of the routine, to send it to the kids on Full House.) Saget's 2007 directorial effort Farce of the Penguins (2007) skewered the popular nature documentary March of the Penguins (2007) with raunchy voice-overs (by an all-star cast) placed atop nature footage of penguins in the wild. Meanwhile, beginning in 2005, Saget signed for a voice-only role on the sitcom How I Met Your Mother. He provides the older voice of the lead character, Ted Mosby, as he tells his two children the story of how he came to know their mother, effectively serving as narrator for the show. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
- 2006
Packaged by the same production firm responsible for Deal or No Dea, NBC's weekly, hour-long 1 vs. 100 was based on an internationally popular TV game show originally seen in Holland. The series pitted a single contestant against a "mob" of 100 people, wearing a variety of offbeat costumes and sporting a plethora of colorful "personalities" (some of the 100 were champion players from other game shows). The lone contestant was expected to answer increasingly difficult trivia questions, which of course were also tackled by the "mob." For every correct answer given by the contestant, one or more of those who'd responded incorrectly would be eliminating from the 100 other players. The single player could quit at any time or risk losing all of his accumulated prize money to the remaining "mob" members (catch phrase: "The money--or the mob?"); whatever the case, the grand prize was a cool million dollars. Emceed by the peripatetic Bob Saget, 1 vs. 100 premiered October 13, 2006. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Saget
- 1992
This 90s release is a compilation of the funniest family scenes to have appeared in the popular TV series America's Funniest Home Videos. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1992
This 90s release is a compilation of the funniest pet scenes from the popular TV series America's Funniest Home Videos. ~ All Movie Guide
- 2000
In this made-for-TV movie, shown on the E! network, Richard Breggs (Harland Williams) is a super-swell guy. An aspiring actor, he drives a taxi so that he can afford to buy his girlfriend Maggie (Elizabeth Berkley) a set of window shades for their apartment. All is dandy until Richard's friend Nick informs him that his niceness is the source of his career problems, and that he'll only be able to get ahead as an actor if he becomes a class-A jerk. Richard decides to give Nick's advice a try, and four years later he wakes up with amnesia to discover that he's the star of a monstrously popular TV show called, appropriately enough, "Dick." Living in a mansion, he is informed by his butler Edward (Robert Wagner) that yes, he has become a bonafide schmuck. This news horrifies Richard, who sets about trying to find Maggie and mend his wicked ways. ~ Rebecca Flint Marx, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Harland Williams, Robert Wagner, (more)
For Full House and America's Funniest Home Videos fans who assumed that amiable television funnyman Bob Saget was as wholesome as his small screen counterparts, this raunchy stand-up performance captured live in New York City and originally aired on HBO proves that everyone's favorite television dad can work blue with the best of them. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Saget
The direct to video animated movie Casper's Scare School features the beloved friendly ghost attending a school in the hopes of learning how to frighten people. Although he goes through the classes, he reverts to his benevolent ways when he uncovers an evil plan. The voice cast includes Simpsons regular Dan Castellaneta, Jim Belushi, and Phyllis Diller. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jim Belushi, Bob Saget, (more)
- 1994
Taped live at the Los Angeles Shrine Auditorium and shown on HBO and Comedy Central in 1994, this video documents the sixth Comic Relief live charity benefit for America's homeless. Hosted by Robin Williams, Whoopi Goldberg, and Billy Crystal, this program features performances from luminaries of the comedy world, including Garry Shandling, Paula Poundstone, Dennis Miller, Jason Alexander, Richard Belzer, Brett Butler, and more. The video also includes profiles of people in need, and of those who have already benefited from these performers' generosity. The organization Comic Relief has gone on to raise and distribute nearly 50 million dollars, providing direct health care services to homeless men, women, and children throughout the United States. ~ Steve Blackburn, All Movie Guide
- 2008
- Add Comic Relief: The Greatest... and the Latest to QueueAdd Comic Relief: The Greatest... and the Latest to top of Queue
Comic Relief: The Greatest... and the Latest features a number of performances by some of the most talented comics of their day performing for a charity that collects money for the homeless. Among the performers who appear on this release are Sarah Silverman, Lewis Black, Jon Stewart, and David Cross. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg, (more)
When a small-time businessman (Richard Pryor) needs a loan, he goes to a loan shark and ends up in jail on false pretenses. After feigning madness to get out, he is tossed into the mental ward of a hospital. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Pryor, Rachel Ticotin, (more)
Shortly after leaving the "Weekend Update" anchor slot on Saturday Night Live, Norm Macdonald resurfaced in this comedy about smart-aleck Mitch Weaver who teams with buddy Sam McKenna (Artie Lange of Mad TV). They open a revenge-for-hire business (Dirty Work Inc.) in order to raise $50,000 so Sam's father (Jack Warden) can get a heart transplant. After they bring down a dictatorial movie theater manager (Don Rickles), they next hire prostitutes to pose as dead bodies during an auto dealer's live TV commercial. Millionaire real-estate developer Travis Cole (Christopher McDonald) is bothered when Mitch and Sam interfere with his plan to wipe a woman's home out of existence. Cole hires Dirty Work to trash a building, so he can have it condemned. However, Cole doesn't own the building, and problems arise, mainly since the grandmother of Mitch's girlfriend lives in the building. The feud escalates. Cameos by Chevy Chase, the late Chris Farley, former child star Gary Coleman, Adam Sandler, and John Goodman. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Norm MacDonald, Jack Warden, (more)
- 2005
Eric and Ari scramble for answers about the Aquaman deal; Turtle mopes over bad luck with women; Vince discovers how pricey his new neighborhood can be. Anthony Anderson and Bob Saget have cameos. ~ Joe Friedrich, All Movie Guide
Animal Planet aesthetics get infused with blush-inducing blue-humor sensibilities as director Bob Saget teams with an all-star cast of comics including Lewis Black, Tracy Morgan, Jason Alexander, Dane Cook, and Whoopi Goldberg to prove that sometimes penguins aren't as sweet as they appear to be on the silver screen. Film star Samuel L. Jackson narrates as actual footage of penguins going about their business in nature is backed by the kind of twisted voice-over work that could only come from the biggest names in comedy. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Samuel L. Jackson, Bob Saget, (more)
A father gets a crash-course in the outdoors in this made-for-television comedy for kids. Comedian Bob Saget stars as an urban-living dad who decides to take his son Michael (Brian Bonsall) -- working his way to Eagle Scout -- on a camping trip. Poor dad is well-meaning, but fumbles his way through a series of mishaps. Saget (Full House) served as executive producer for the film. ~ Bernadette McCallion, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Saget, Brian Bonsall, (more)
- 1996
Comic actor Bob Saget served as producer and director of this made-for-TV film, inspired by the true story of Saget's sister Gay, who died in 1994 at the age of 47. Despite the pressures of single motherhood, schoolteacher Hope Altman (Dana Delany) seems to have her life in order until she is diagnosed with scleroderma, a disfiguring skin disease that causes her body's connective tissues to stiffen and atrophy, and will eventually paralyze her while eating away at her vital organs. There is no cure for scleroderma, and the survival rate is tragically low--and worse, neither the medical community nor the general public has a firm grasp on understanding the disease and its many victims (500,000, mostly female, in the United States alone). The film chronicles the manner in which Hope and her family handle the nightmarish situation, often with what Saget described as "irreverence and dark humor" (At one point, Hope's brother Alan--a comedy writer--quips that scleroderma sounds like "a deli entrée"). Sharon Monsky, who at the time ran one of the most prominent organizations for those suffering from scleroderma, appears briefly as herself. For Hope originally aired over the ABC network on November 17, 1996. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
The fifth-season opener of Full House finds Jesse (John Stamos) returning from his band tour, Becky (Lisa Loughlin) awaiting the birth of her baby, Michelle (played by the Olsen twins) preparing to start kindergarten, and DJ (Candace Cameron) on the threshold of beginning high school. When Becky ( finds out she is going to have twins, Jesse reacts to the news in a surprisingly negative fashion. Meanwhile, Steph develops a crush on her first male teacher, Mr. Lowry (Philip Levien). With this episode, former recurring actor Andrea Barber becomes a regular in the role of Kimmy, and Tahj Mowry makes his first appearance as Michelle's new best friend Teddy. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Season one of Full House swiftly sets up both its premise and characters, as recently widowed San Francisco TV sportscaster Danny Tanner (Bob Saget) struggles to raise his three little daughters on his own. Helping out, sort of, are Danny's new roommates: his swinging, rock-star-wannabe brother-in-law Jesse Cochran (John Stamos) and his aspiring-comedian best friend, Joey Gladstone (Dave Coulier). During this inaugural season, Danny's oldest daughter, Donna Jo (aka D.J., played by Candace Cameron) is ten years old, ready for the fifth grade; middle daughter Stephanie (Jodie Sweetin) is five years old and just entering kindergarten; and baby daughter Michelle (played by twins Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen) is just two. Highlights of season one include the episodes in which Grandma Claire (Alice Hirson) wonders if Danny can juggle single parenthood and his burgeoning career; Baby Michelle makes Danny feel guilty by calling Uncle Jesse "Da da"; the family celebrates their first Thanksgiving without Danny's late wife; Jesse accidentally "drowns" Danny's beloved convertible; the whole family comes down with chicken pox; D.J. skips school to see her favorite singer, Stacy Q. (playing herself); Joey's big break is "jinxed" by Phyllis Diller (also herself); and in the two-part season finale, Jesse petulantly moves out because he needs his "space." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Saget, John Stamos, (more)
Lori Loughlin joins the Full House cast for the series' second season in the role of Rebecca "Becky" Donaldson, the new co-host of Danny Tanner's (Bob Saget) local TV series "Wake Up San Francisco." Before the season is over, Becky will have fallen in love with Danny's brother-in-law, Jesse Cochran (John Stamos), but whether or not she'll accept his season-ending proposal is left up in the air. Meanwhile, Jesse and Danny's comedian pal Joey Gladstone (Dave Coulier) continue lending their helping hands as the widowed Danny tries to raise his daughters -- 11-year-old D.J. (Candace Cameron), six-year-old Stephanie (Jodie Sweetin), and three-year-old Michelle (played by twins Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen) -- without maternal assistance. This season's highlights include the introduction of Richard Paul as Danny's bombastic boss, Mr. Strowbridge, and the first appearance of John Aprea as Jesse's Greek father, Nick. Also worth noting is the crisis developing around the 12th birthday party of D.J.'s best friend, Kimmy Gibler (Andrea Barber); the guys' Three Stooges costumes for a Halloween party; a "dream night" with the Beach Boys (as themselves); the episode "Our Very First Christmas," with the usual mixups and queries about Santa's existence; the girls' competition over rewards for good grades; Jesse "overbooking" himself on his birthday; and in the two-episode season finale, an eventful getaway to Lake Tahoe. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Saget, John Stamos, (more)
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, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Saget, John Stamos, (more)
Season four of Full House opens with a visit from the Greek grandparents of rock star wannabe Jesse Cochran (John Stamos). In fact, Jesse is center of attention in several episodes this season, notably when he and his longtime girlfriend, Becky Donaldson (Lori Loughlin), finally get married; and, in the season finale, when Becky's pregnancy test comes back positive. Additionally, Jesse decides to be true to his Greek roots, thus he reverts to his family name of Katsopolis. This doesn't mean that the series' other regulars are ignored. There is still plenty of time left over for widowed San Francisco TV personality Danny Tanner (Bob Saget) and his efforts to raise his three growing daughters: 13-year-old D.J. (Candace Cameron), eight-year-old Stephanie (Jodie Sweetin, who this season shows up with her new straight hairdo); and four-year-old Michelle (played by twins Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen). Also provided with ample screen time is Danny's best buddy, aspiring comedian Joey Gladstone (Dave Coulier), especially in the episodes wherein Joey reluctantly chaperones Stephanie's slumber party, and when he gets another "big break" as a regular on a TV sitcom starring former beach movie stalwarts Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello. In other fourth season highlights, Wayne Newton guests in an episode set in Vegas; D.J. and Kimmy go to press with their school's newspaper; Danny tries to attend Michelle's birthday party, D.J.'s school play and Stephanie's science fair -- all at once; and in the "crossover" episode "Stephanie Gets Framed," Jaleel White shows up in his familiar Family Matters role as the geeky Urkel. Having ended its third season as the 22nd highest-rated network program in the U.S., Full House climbed to the number fourteen slot for season four. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Saget, John Stamos, (more)
The recurring role of 14-year-old Kimmy Gibbler graduates to co-star status as actress Andrea Barber is finally billed among the regulars at the beginning of each episode as Full House enters its fifth season. In other major developments, widowed dad Danny Tanner (Bob Saget) falls in love with Vicky Larson (Gail Edwards), who is filling in as substitute host on Danny's TV show "Wake Up San Francisco" while Becky Donaldson (Lori Loughlin), the wife of Danny's brother-in-law Jesse Katsopolis (John Stamos), is on maternity leave. As for Becky, she gives birth to twins during a two-part episode, going into labor during the birthday party of Danny's youngest daughter, Michelle (played by twins Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen). The babies are named Alex and Nicky, but the infants playing the roles are not yet afforded screen credit. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Saget, John Stamos, (more)
Season six of Full House is jam-packed with incident for the Tanner household: widowed San Francisco TV host Danny Tanner (Bob Saget); his three daughters Stephanie (Candace Cameron), D.J. (Lori Loughlin), and Michelle (played by twins Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen); his brother-in-law Jesse Katsopolis (John Stamos), Jesse's wife, Becky (Lori Loughlin) and their twin babies, Alex and Nicky (now played by real-life twins Blake and Dylan Tuomy-Wilhoit); and Danny's comedian pal Joey Gladstone (Dave Coulier). The season opens as D.J. returns from a summer study program in Barcelona -- with a new boyfriend, the slightly older Steve Hale (Scott Weinger), in tow. Meanwhile, Jesse continues touring America and the world with his singing group "The Rippers," capitalizing on his surprise song hit, "Forever." And Danny and his girlfriend Vicky Larson (Gail Edwards) are still weighing the option of making their relationship permanent. In other sixth-season highlights, Mark Linn Baker guest stars as Becky's snooty millionaire cousin Dick Donaldson; little Michelle goes to great lengths to prevent her best friend, Teddy (Tahj Mowry), from moving to Amarillo; Stephanie's homemade ear-piercing job ends in disaster; Jesse graduates from night school, but a comedy of errors results in a sparse turnout for the ceremony; and Danny's daughters inadvertently wreck an expensive museum exhibit. The season ends with its traditional two-part finale, set in Disney World -- where Michelle wanders off and gets lost, and where Danny finally pops the question to Vicky. Though Full House lost a bit of its audience during the 1992-1993 season, the series remained comfortably in tenth place in the overall ratings. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Saget, John Stamos, (more)
Season six of Full House had ended with widowed dad Danny Tanner (Bob Saget) proposing marriage to his longtime girlfriend, Vicky Larson (Gail Edwards). But during the summer hiatus, the series' producers had second thoughts about tinkering with the series' "single parent" premise, thus by the middle of season seven, Danny and Vicky have come to an amicable parting of the ways. Meanwhile, Danny's three daughters -- D.J. (Candace Cameron), Stephanie (Jodie Sweetin), and Michelle (played by twins Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen) all grow a little older and a lot more independent-minded. As for Alex and Nicky (Blake and Dylan Tuomy-Wilhoit), twin children of Danny's brother-in-law, Jesse Katsopolis (John Stamos) and his wife, Becky (Lori Loughlin), they are now undergoing "the terrible twos" -- with chaotic results. So what else happens during the series' sixth year on the air? Well, D.J. breaks up with her college film student boyfriend, Steve (Scott Weinger); Jesse inherits "The Smash Club," which he hopes to transform into Frisco's trendiest nightspot; Jesse's grandfather (Jack Kruschen) pays a visit -- and promptly drops dead; Danny's daughters learn a valuable lesson when a much-vaunted toy action figure proves to be less than was advertised; and in the guest-star department, Vanna White plays a dual role in the episode "The Test," while in another installment, singer Little Richard is revealed to be the uncle of series semi-regular Denise Frazer (Jurnee Smollett). As the season ends, there is the distinct possibility that the main characters will be moving out of their familiar San Francisco townhouse. Full House closed out its sixth season as the 16th most popular series on American network TV. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Saget, John Stamos, (more)
