Ashley Olsen, Sister Mary-Kate: How is Their Absence Explained in First, Subsequent Episodes of “Fuller House?”

Ashley Olsen and twin sister Mary-Kate–often referred to as the Olsen twins–are the only original Full House cast members who didn’t sign on to the reboot, Fuller House. Now that the...
Ashley Olsen, Sister Mary-Kate: How is Their Absence Explained in First, Subsequent Episodes of “Fuller House?”
Written by Kimberly Ripley

Ashley Olsen and twin sister Mary-Kate–often referred to as the Olsen twins–are the only original Full House cast members who didn’t sign on to the reboot, Fuller House. Now that the series has premiered via Netflix, those who don’t subscribe are curious how the absence of Michelle Tanner–played by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen–is explained in the first episode.

E! News reports Michelle Tanner is sort of an afterthought in the first episode of Fuller House. In fact, the first reference lasts about 13 seconds, and appears to throw major shade at Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen.

In the scene, Stephanie Tanner (played by Jodie Sweetin) asks her dad, Danny Tanner, (played by Bob Saget), where Michelle is.

“Well, Michelle sends her love, but she’s busy in New York running her fashion empire,” he says.

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, of course, run their own fashion empire in New York City.

Following the remark, the entire Fuller House cast–John Stamos, Lori Loughlin, Candace Cameron-Bure, Dave Coulier, Jodie Sweetin, Andrea Barber, and more–stare directly at the camera for what feels like an eternity.

Fast forward several more episodes. Yes, that’s right. The topic of Michelle Tanner doesn’t come up again until episode seven. Kimmy Gibbler (Andrea Barber) and her daughter Ramona (played by Soni Nicole Bringas) return home from a NYC shopping trip. As they are preparing for Ramona’s birthday party, D.J. Tanner (Candace Cameron Bure) asks them how the trip went.

“Amazing,” Ramona says. “I got my first designer dress for the party. It’s an Elizabeth and James by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen.”

“At these prices, no wonder they don’t need to act anymore,” Kimmy Gibbler says.

If that’s not shade directed squarely into the faces of Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, then nothing is.

The final reference comes in the final episode of season one. It takes place as follows, in a phone call to Michelle Tanner.

Stephanie Tanner: “Oh, let’s call Michelle”

D.J. Tanner: “It’s five in the morning in New York.”

Stephanie: “Ah, perfect. Aw, voicemail.”

Kimmy Gibbler: “Why you not come to my wedding? You’re in big trouble mister.”

D.J.: “No way, Jose!”

Stephanie: “Awww, nuts.”

All: “You got it dude!”

At that is all the coverage Michelle Tanner–once played by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen–get in Fuller House.

Is the message here that Fuller House will be just fine even without Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen?

Fans will have to wait for the ratings to see about that.

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