“Fuller House” Taping Review (No Spoilers)

Full House was my favorite television show growing up. When I found out they were having a spin-off called Fuller House, I knew I had to be in the audience. On Friday, August 14th, I went to a Fuller House taping at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank. The taping was set at 3:30pm, but you’re told to arrive early as it is first come, first serve. I knew they were going to turn people away since the taping quickly sold out on TV Tickets (Audience Unlimited). For this reason, I planned to arrive several hours earlier.

I drove to the Gate 8 parking structure and parked on the basement floor. Parking was FREE. Luckily, it was 11:15am and only a few people sitting in line when I arrived. Around 1pm, they began passing out ticket numbers. I was #9 in line, so I had a good feeling I would make it into the taping. There were groups of people (20+) at this taping who had VIP, so keep that in mind if you plan on attending a future taping. You’re not always guaranteed to get in.

We were told to form a line by the Audience Unlimited table, so they can check our ID’s and take our printed tickets. They asked if everyone could stay until 8pm. We sat down again and we’re told to put our electronics away in our cars before security arrived. Security checks ID’s and stamps your hand. The VIP left the parking structure first, and then they started taking us in.

They guided us across the street on Forest Lawn Drive. We went through more security before entering the lot. Once my group was finished, they directed us to the soundstage. We lined up in the shade, walking by the trailers that are for the actors. As we were waiting Kimmy Gibbler, played by Andrea Barber, walks by. No one said anything! I think we were all shocked, I know I was. We obviously didn’t want to get kicked out for acting like lunatics, so we remained cool.

As we start getting closer to the entrance, we go through another set of security. Now this one’s the real deal. They make sure you have no phones or any recording devices. If you do, they take it with your ID and you can pick them up after the taping.

Once you enter, you go up the steps and an employee asks how many are in your party before you sit down. You are then shown where you will be seated (I was 4th row, towards the center). There were black curtains blocking the sets, so we couldn’t see them right away. When it was 3:30pm, they had us watch the pilot episode of Full House from the TV’s above us. That episode brought back so many memories! When that finished, the main cast walked out and waved to the audience. It was Candace Cameron Bure, Jodie Sweetin, Andrea Barber and three kids that were going to be in the episode. John Stamos wasn’t filming, but he was watching the taping. He spoke to the audience briefly, so that was sweet. He knew the group that sat in front of me. They got a tour of the sets, lucky ducks!

Halfway through, they fed us a sandwich and a small water bottle. There was a comedian giving out candy and keeping the audience engaged. When they finished filming the episode, everyone came out to take a bow. I brought a DVD cover for the cast to sign, but it didn’t look like they were signing autographs like some other TV shows. They had security standing in front of the cast, so I didn’t bother.

Overall, I had a blast! Since I wasn’t able to speak to the cast after the taping, that night I sent Andrea Barber a tweet on Twitter. Little did I know that she would respond and like my post on Instagram. The inner child in me was stoked. Best day, ever.

UPDATE: I went to another taping on Thursday, September 24th. I arrived around 11:30am and was #13 in line for a 4pm taping. The parking structure was awful this time! There were hardly any spots available and a lot of people parked in the sun at the top of the structure. This time, the security in the parking lot didn’t check for IDs. DO NOT BRING DVDs. Security will take them from you before you go in.

They showed us the first episode of the new season which was exciting! I kept my DVDs in the car, brought in a DVD sleeve and was able to get it signed by Bob Saget, Andrea Barber, Jodie Sweetin and Michael Campion. If you want them to sign something, I suggest bringing a sharpie. Only a few fans had sharpies and the actors kept coming back asking to borrow it again.