John Stamos told TV critics on Thursday that Fox’s “Grandfathered” is “the show I’ve been waiting for for 10 years.” But the topic of being a grandpa is still a little tough for the sex symbol to take — as is the show’s title.
“I remember the first call I got, was, ‘What do you think of ‘Grandpa’?” he remembered for reporters during the Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour panel.
“What do you think of ‘fuck you?’” Stamos said he replied, drawing big laughter from those in attendance.
Also during his Beverly Hilton ballroom stage time, the “Fuller House” star described his “Grandfathered” character as “like a George Clooney before he turned against everything he believed in and got married.”
Grandpa or not, Stamos is proof that 50 is the new 40 — if not younger. He saw this an opportunity to positively portray his aging peers on broadcast TV.
“I remember thinking about watching television when I was a kid, and a 50-year-old guy was like Abe Vigoda,” Stamos quipped.
He hopes the new show is his “chance to change things.”
“I think everybody with a great, healthy attitude is sort of looking great these days at this age,” Stamos concluded the age-related portion of the panel.
Though this was Stamos’ only TCA stage time, the actor and Dannon Oikos pitchman inserted himself into the fun a few minutes before his actual turn. One panel earlier, during a panel for “The Grinder,” Stamos jokingly heckled fellow middle-aged handsome new Fox sitcom star Rob Lowe.
“As a founding member of Jimmy Kimmel’s Handsome Men’s Club, Stamos has been up for membership,” Lowe had said on stage of his new channel-mate. “So far the board hasn’t voted him in. Sting is really lobbying hard for him. David Beckham has blackballed him every time he’s gotten close.”
As Lowe continued, Stamos, who was up next, shouted from the back of the room, “Rob tell the truth! We’ve dated for years!” drawing laughs from the press.
Fox should hope that the two stars are as funny on their new shows as they were on stage.
“Grandfathered” premieres Tuesday, Sep. 29 at 8 p.m. on Fox. “The Grinder” debuts immediately afterward at 8:30.