John Stamos, the ‘anti-jock,’ suits up for his ‘Big Shot’
The actor, known for “Full House,” plays a coach who gets a second chance.
Preparing for his new role of a disgraced collegiate basketball coach desperate for redemption was no slam dunk for John Stamos.
The actor, 57, describes himself as “the anti-jock,” but we’re going to continue with the sports analogies. His career has been far from a layup following eight seasons as Jesse Katsopolis on the saccharine ABC sitcom “Full House,” a role he reprised for Netflix’s reboot that wrapped last year. For those of a certain generation, he simply is Uncle Jesse.
On his new Disney+ comedy “Big Shot“(streaming now ), his character, the hotheaded college hoops coach Marvyn Korn, is ousted from his NCAA job after a courtside outburst and attempts to rehabilitate his image at a girls’ private school.
Settling in at the California high school – the only place to offer him a job – takes some getting used to. Stamos also experienced growing pains, getting into character for the series, co-created by David E. Kelley (“Big Sky”).
“I learned medical jargon on ‘ER’ easier than this sports stuff,” Stamos tells USA TODAY. He told himself, “Alright, you’re an actor. Learn to be a coach,” and began studying the explosive former college basketball coach Bobby Knight. Stamos went to observe the Los Angeles Clippers, during what he mistakenly dubbed a “rehearsal.” Former basketball player Jerry West, who now consults for the team, was quick to correct him. “He said, ‘Son, it’s called practice,’” remembers Stamos.
“Big Shot” isn’t the actor’s first onscreen brush with basketball. “Full House” fans will remember Jesse’s attempt to master the sport for a charity game in the 1995 episode, “Air Jesse,” when he got tips from former Laker Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
“I threw the basketball at the rim, and it hit and came back and smashed me right in the face,” says Stamos. “And, of course, they left it in the show.” For more of Stamos’ career, including his regrets and the problem with “Full House” fans being “everywhere you look,” read on. (Condensed and edited for clarity.)
Question: Why did you want to be a part of “Big Shot”?
John Stamos: They said, “You’re going to get an offer for the new David Kelley show,” and I’m like, “Oh, my God, I love him. I’ve always wanted to work with him. Do I play a lawyer? Is it like, ‘Big Little Lies 3’?” They said, “No, it’s basketball.” I’m like, “Oh, no!” I swear I remember that moment so clearly because I’m the anti-jock. I was a band geek in high school, and I’m still a band geek. I know nothing about sports. I can’t play sports. I don’t watch them, and I was nervous.
Q: Looking back at your career, which roles have been your favorite?
Stamos: I loved “ER.” I loved playing that paramedic and doctor (Tony Gates, for its final four seasons). I loved being on the show, I loved the cast. But you just go into these things, and you just put your head down, and you try to do your best, and try to show up, and you try to be a pro, and you try to know your lines, and be kind to people, and then you really don’t know (how successful the show will be) ... But I think this (Coach Korn) is going to be my favorite, I have a feeling.
Q: How do you feel about being so synonymous with Uncle Jesse from “Full House?”
Stamos: I’ve been through the gamut of not wanting to be part of the show, not wanting to be remembered for that character. Then I realized what it meant to people, and I was OK with it, and I’ve done enough other work to satisfy. But still, I went to Broadway after “Full House,” and I kept going back, and it was very challenging. Some of it was a success, some was a failure – I think I learned more from the failures. But I got to the point where I’m on stage with James Earl Jones, which is hands down maybe the greatest living actor. And I’m doing these scenes with him, and the show (“The Best Man”), and standing ovations and then I go out to sign autographs (and I get) “What’s Mary-Kate and Ashley like?” “I was just onstage – OK, they’re great, they’re nice, they’re sweet kids. I’m proud of them.” What are you gonna do?
Q: Do you have any career regrets? Stamos: I have regrets of my behavior, sometimes. I have regrets of not working hard enough on certain shows, or just getting by on whatever (expletive) that I could get by on. But the shows, no. The things that you think you’re going to regret are now the funny things to show. I did (the 1985 TV movie) “Alice in Wonderland” and it was this big, sweeping (thing) – like a thousand stars – Sammy Davis Jr., and I had this song-and-dance thing with Harvey Korman (“The Carol Burnett Show”) and it is, like, “Oh, my God!” And I remember seeing him and (going), “Oh, this is the most embarrassing,” and now I love it. Q: You were a part of the “Full House” reboot, “Fuller House” (20162020). Are there any other characters you’d like to revisit?
Stamos: I loved being on “ER,” (so) if they wanted to do a reboot on that, I’d be like, ‘Sign me up!’ I love that character, but enough of the reboots.
Q: In March, you wished Beach Boys singer Mike Love a happy birthday on Instagram, writing in your tribute that you can’t believe someone you listened to in your dad’s car is now one of your best friends. When you think about your life, are there any other “pinch me” moments that stand out?
Stamos: Thousands. I got a call (early this month). It was from New York, and it kept ringing and I didn’t know who it was. Then I get a text saying, “Hey, John, pick up. It’s Howard and Beth.” Howard Stern and his wife. He saw “Big Shot” and he just went on and on and on. If you would have told me that Howard Stern would be calling, or if you would have told me I would be on stage with The Beach Boys – there’s so many pinch-me moments.
I got to do “The Little Mermaid Live!” a few years ago, playing the chef, and I was like, “Wow, this is so cool.”… I’ve had a charmed, wonderful life, and luckily I’m not too old to appreciate it, and to laugh at it where it needs to be laughed at, and have fun with it, and be proud of some of it, and just be grateful.