Movies News Talk
Playing Stephanie Tanner and Kimmy Gibbler respectively, Jodie Sweetin and Andrea Barber voiced their criticism of Danny Tanner's mother, Claire's recast in season 3 of Full House. Although Doris Roberts gave a great performance, they thought she wasn't as suitable for the part as Alice Hirson, the original actress. Their rerun podcast, How Rude, Tanneritos!, mirrored this feeling. Sweetin and Barber thought Roberts' portrayal of Claire lacked the certain charm and realism Hirson's portrayal had. Particularly in the early seasons of the show, they believed the shift in actresses upset the familiarity and comfort connected with the role.
Jodie Sweetin and Andrea Barber did not say specifically which particular facets of Alice Hirson's Claire interpretation they favored. Still, their remarks suggest that they valued the realism and charm she gave the part. This implies that they thought Hirson's performance more matched the general Full House tone and attitude. Though a competent actor, they could have felt that Roberts provided a different vitality that didn't quite fit the Tanner family's dynamic. The pair might have found the change in Claire's representation shocking, upsetting the usual comfort they had grown accustomed to with the character over the run of the program.
Claire's recast happened in the third season episode "Granny Tanny." Danny's mother Claire showed up for a visit following retirement in this episode. She was looking for direction and a fresh phase of life. Alice Hirson, who had previously portrayed Claire, left the show, and Doris Roberts debuted as the replacement actor filling in for her. Though the alteration was not a significant upheaval, it did represent a difference in the way an early season's recurrent character was portrayed.
Jodie Sweetin and Andrea Barber refrained from criticizing Claire's performance by Doris Roberts. Actually, they admired her acting and admitted her talent. They just thought, though, that Roberts's performance didn't fit the character as Hirson's had done. They thought Hirson's portrayal of Claire had a particular appeal and genuineness more in tune with Full House's general tone and accepted character. Though not dramatic, they felt that the changes in actresses upset the known comfort they had gotten used to.
Claire's reinterpretation in "Granny Tanny" is noteworthy since it marks one of the few alterations in the Full House basic cast during its early runs. Although it wasn't a big disturbance, the actress changes brought fresh vitality to the way a recurrent character was portrayed. The fact that Sweetin and Barber, who were near the core cast of the show, felt the change in the way Claire was portrayed emphasizes the influence of such changes. Even if the new actor is gifted and offers their own original take to the part, it demonstrates how even minute changes in a series could throw off the familiarity and comfort viewers have come to expect.