(Grand)baby steps
John Stamos returns to TV as confirmed bachelor Jimmy who discovers that he isn’t just a father, he’s a grandfather.
Grandfathered Season 1 Wednesdays (from 1 June) M-Net (*101) 19:30
Jimmy Martino (John Stamos, most recently seen in early 2016 on the reboot of family sitcom Full House, 1987-1995) has made a name for himself as a handsome and successful restaurateur in Grandfathered (2015- current). But two very “nasty” surprises are about to walk through the door of his famous eatery and book a table for two: the son he never knew about… and his granddaughter! “It’s a little scary,” jokes John. “Here’s this bachelor guy who’s got it all, but he’s missing something in life. What about family and what about a relationship?” The sitcom centres on family and that’s exactly what Jimmy gets, thanks to his son Gerald (Josh Peck, who’s grown-up Josh from Drake & Josh, 2004-2007) and little Edie (co-played by Layla and Emilia Golfieri).
But while Jimmy knows all about food, business and being a playboy, this is entirely new territory for him. So what does he do? He marches right over to his ex Sara’s (Paget Brewster) house to find out why she never told him that he’s a dad. And Sara’s answer is brutal: “Younger Jimmy wasn’t ready to be a dad”. Older and slightly wiser, Jimmy takes on the challenge and gets a crash- course in parenting and grand-parenting, with a little help from his friends and staff at his selftitled restaurant. There’s drama, love and laughter on the way, like in episode 1 where Jimmy rushes Edie to the ER and in episode 12 (17 August), when Jimmy uses Edie to get a date.
Ravi (Ravi Patel, from The New Normal, 2012): he’s Jimmy’s head chef who not only makes the food look and taste good, he’s also got some sage advice for his boss… sometimes. Annelise (Kelly Jenrette, who had a bit part in Weird Loners, 2015) is Jimmy’s right-hand lady. She knows what makes him tick and how to fix most of his problems. Vanessa (popstar Christina Milian) is Edie’s mom. She and Gerald are “friends” right now and she shows Jimmy the error of his ways in the past because she’s a mini-Jimmy: obsessed with parties, money and fame.