Today was FINALLY the day why I’m here in LA in the first place.
Back in August, when I emailed Candace & John, asking how it was all going, I also mentioned to them that it had always been a dream of mine to come to a live taping of the show and meet the cast of Full House. That show was (and still is) a major part of my life!
A few hours later I got an email from Candace saying that I should come see the final taping in November! That she would get tickets for my mom and I. John also replied to that email saying that he’d make sure I would get a tour backstage on the set and meet some of the cast.
So here I am: back in LA to go to my first taping of an American tv show! And one of my all time faves of all shows: the sequel to Full House!
Upon arrival there were strict security regulations. We had to leave our cell phones behind in sealed containers along with our bags. I was a bit worried, because all the presents I had brought for each one of them were in my bags. I hoped I would have an opportunity to get back to them. I had painstakingly taken time to make sure they each received the perfect thank you gift from me. Entertaining me all these years was such a huge part of my life.
Finally it was time to get to our seats and I was seated directly behind the parents of Candace (DJ) and Jodie (Stephanie), along with Jodie’s daughters, and also Scott’s (Steve) wife and son. Andrea’s (Kimmy Gibbler) parents always sit in the very back. Barbara (Candace’s mom) recognized me and introduced me to Jodie’s parents! It felt like I was talking to more than just a TV family, but a real life family that knew and cared that I was there.
Before they started taping we were entertained by the audience entertainer Ron and it was just awesome!
He always starts asking the audience who came outside the USA. When I raised my hand and told him I’m from Belgium he exclaimed, “Oh cool! I’ve been to Antwerp! Are you from there?” I giggled and said, “ No, I’m from Hasselt! He had a confused look on his face and said, “Oh right, never heard of that place though.”, all the while laughing and teasing.
He welcomed me and thanked me for being there.
During every scene, the audience’s laughs are also being taped as well. He told us that the more we anticipated the jokes and other emotions, we might win something from the show.
After the second scene, the crowd-warmer came up to me and handed me the signed cast photo. He only had three of them to give away. I was so excited I won something exclusive from this historical last show.
The other gifts were a Fuller House mug, a signed script, and the pièce de résistance were the three wedding gowns that the girls wore in the finale! I was so blessed to receive that signed cast photo, but secretly wanted the mug too because I collect them. Hahaha, I’m so greedy when it comes to the Fuller House family.
As you can imagine, I was crying like a baby the whole time. It was extra emotional for me because not only did my dream of being at a live audience taping of FH come true that day, but also the fact that it was the series finale. Not to mention that the entire cast and crew were constantly crying in between takes too so seeing them cry made me cry even more.
I was truly a mess.
As if that wasn’t enough, it was also exactly one month to the day that my grandpa had passed. I was also thinking about him. I would have loved to tell him about this moment.
Luckily, he knew I had planned this trip. I know he was happy for me.
The next surprise happened during the dinner break. Bailey (Candace’s assistant) came to us and handed us backstage bracelets so we could go backstage after filming was done. The filming took a little under five hours and then the show wrapped. I was so excited.
Filled to the brim with so many emotions and now it was time to meet the cast.
The first one that I saw was Candace.
She was still emotional about the whole show coming to an end but so was I. We were both hugging each other tightly with tears in our eyes. She was excited to see that I was wearing one of her own shirts from her collection. Then we took some pictures.
We talked a bit while she signed all of her books that I brought with me for her to sign!
I also gave her a box of Belgian Chocolates as a gift!
Then she had to go because she still had some people to see and go to the wardrobe to get out of her costume.
When I turned around, guess who called my name? John Stamos!
He wasn’t in the episode that day because he was busy filming his new show on Disney+ called “Big Shot” but he had filmed his scenes earlier that week. Of course he came to the FH set to be with his family after the taping and he got there in time to take the pictures with the entire cast.
He hugged me very tight and then I finally introduced him to my mom! This was my third time meeting John, but my mom had never met him before. I was happy she could meet him too. He is one of the kindest men in this Universe.
He grabbed my hand and led me to the living room where we hopped on the famous blue-white couch. We talked for a bit while also taking pictures together.
As you might’ve noticed: John like to goof around when taking pics😂😂😂
All of sudden, during our chat, he said, “Hey, would you like to come visit me on my new show at the Paramount Studios?” Can this day get any better? I told him, “Of course I would love to!”
He emailed me the next day and we set our date for Tuesday.
He loved my gift for him; Belgian chocolates. He is crazy about them and he asked me to bring some back for him.
After he left, mom and I took some pictures in the famous kitchen and then we met Scott Weigner. You might know him better as the original voice of Aladdin.
After my mom & I met Scott, I saw Soni Nicole Bringas (Ramona Gibbler) standing alone so I walked up to her to talk to her and take a picture. It was so much fun to meet Kimmy Gibbler’s daughter, even though I never got to meet Andrea in person.
I was actually waiting to talk to Andrea when John got to me and took me to the living room and when we got back, Andrea had already left the set back to wardrobe.
The last person I met that day was the one and only Jodie Sweetin. I walked up to her and gave her my box of chocolates which she gladly accepted. She said that it was exactly what she needed at that moment. We talked some more and took some pictures before she had to go.
After that it was almost time for us to go back to our hotel too so I also took a picture with Bailey, thanking her for arranging everything for me today!
I had sent a comment on Dave’s Instagram the day before when he talked about the taping and he liked my comment saying I’d be there as Candace & John invited me to come all the way from Belgium.
Unfortunately, Dave Coulier and Bob Saget had disappeared into the back lot together with John so I never got to meet them, but I know they know I love them.
BEST DAY OF MY ENTIRE LIFE AND I OWE IT ALL TO CANDACE AND JOHN😘💜
I’ll be FOREVER GRATEFUL to them for EVERYTHING they have done for me that day!
It was way more than I could have hoped for!
xoxo
Domi💜
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