He might be 53, but John Stamos has still got the looks, flirtatious moves and perfect comedic timing, writes Debashine Thangevelo
PHEW, the years have indeed been great to John Stamos. He still has that healthy and bouncy full head of hair. He looks damn good; perhaps a combination of science and a healthy lifestyle. Either way, he is hot.
To those who grew up drooling over him as the cool Uncle Jesse Katsopolis in Full House, he still retains his title. However, the landscape has evolved – he now does so as a dad and grandfather in the rib-tickling comedy, Grandfathered.
Conceived by Daniel Chun, the guy behind Happy Endings who was also credited for his contribution to The Simpsons and The Office, this series is akin to Mom.
It’s wonderfully cast and boasts lines that straddle that pleasurable balance of being hilarious and insulting, at the same time.
The episode opens with Jimmy in front of a mirror, tweezers in hand, plucking out an invasive grey hair. Meanwhile, Bruno Mars’s Uptown Funk is playing in the background as viewers are introduced to the character.
Simply put, Jimmy is the poster boy for slick. At 51, he continues to live the life of a bachelor in his stylish pad, which boasts the most amazing skyline view of the city.
In keeping with his personality, he runs a trendy restaurant. Blessed with a silver tongue, he guarantees customer satisfaction – and not just with the food. He is often seen taking selfies and engaged in banter, thanks to many embellished anecdotes.
Life is idyllic, until he is visited by Gerald E Kingsley (Josh Peck), his 25-year-old son whom he never knew about and Edie (played by twins Layla and Emelia Golfieri), Gerald’s baby girl with his non-committal friend, Vanessa (Christina Milian).
Naturally, he doesn’t take the news well and confronts his ex-girlfriend Sara (played by Paget Brewster of Criminal Minds fame) about not telling him about his son.
In his outraged state, he says: “What if I was gay and met him at a bar?”
She responds: “Have you met you? You were so proud of how bad you were in relationships.” This is followed by: “You look great, by the way, the deal with the Devil paid off!”
Aside from the really awkward introductions, Jimmy, somewhat less narcissistic, helps his unemployed, badly dressed and completely ill-equipped at relationships son with his dating woes. Along the way, he softens to the idea of having his life invaded by a really cute granddaughter, son and ex, Vanessa.
Comedy is Stamos’s forte – he is effortless as he find his comfort level eroded by chaos.
His wardrobe is enviable, to say the least. And he really does bring this character to life.
So while fans are revelling in his return to Fuller House, they are also going to love him in Grandfathered.
What also enhances the appeal of the comedy are the supporting characters, from Ravi Patel as the deceptive head chef at Jimmy’s restaurant to Kelly Jenrette as his bolshie lesbian right-hand “man” at the restaurant.
Regina Hall plays his love interest in the show. Let’s just say they share a relationship that is most mature, which is rare for him.
Grandfathered offers a full house of serious belly-aching laughter – definitely worth seeing!
Grandfathered, M-Net (DStv channel 101), Wednesday, June 1 at 7.30pm.