When a beloved TV show wraps up, it’s not unusual for cast members to snag mementos to remember their time on set. For Jodie Sweetin, who starred as Stephanie Tanner in both Full House and its sequel Fuller House, this meant going after a particularly iconic piece of the Tanner family home: the Sea Pappy head. Her hilarious and somewhat sneaky attempts to secure this memorable prop provide a charming look behind the scenes of the popular series.
Jodie Sweetin’s Quest for the Sea Pappy Head
Sweetin, who played the middle Tanner daughter across both series, had her heart set on taking home the Sea Pappy head, a quirky and memorable statue that featured prominently in the Tanner household. Here’s how her amusing attempt to claim this piece of TV history unfolded:
The Bold Attempt
At the wrap of Fuller House, Sweetin decided she wanted the Sea Pappy head as a keepsake. As she told PEOPLE, she tried to lift the whole statue but found it too unwieldy. Her efforts to sneak it out of the studio were thwarted when she was caught with the statue’s head in her car.
“I got stopped with the head in my car. And they were like, ‘You can’t take that until we inventory it.’ So, I tried to steal the Sea Pappy head, basically.”
Despite her initial failure, Sweetin’s determination didn’t wane. She realised a more subtle approach was needed to claim her prize.
The Clever Strategy
Not one to give up easily, Sweetin left the Sea Pappy statue and its head with the crew while they inventoried the set and props. To ensure she got her hands on the iconic piece, she attached a Post-It note to the head declaring it was meant for her.
A few weeks later, Sweetin received a surprise delivery. As she recounted:
“And then one day, a couple of weeks later, my doorbell rang. I opened it up and no one was there, just the Sea Pappy head. It was the best moment.”
A Shared Moment with Bob Saget
Sweetin’s playful heist also made its way onto the late Bob Saget’s podcast in 2021. Saget, who played Danny Tanner, humorously supported Sweetin’s mission.
“I would have helped you take the whole [statue]. I was there,” Saget joked, showcasing the camaraderie and fun that characterised their time on set.
More Mementos from the Tanner Family Home
Sweetin wasn’t alone in wanting to keep a piece of the Full House legacy. John Stamos, who portrayed Uncle Jesse, shared on Instagram in 2020 that he had kept the blue-and-white checkered sofa from the Tanners’ living room, a piece that was central to both Full House and Fuller House.
Why Props Matter
For many actors, props are more than just objects; they are symbols of their time on a show and the relationships forged during filming. For Sweetin and her castmates, these mementos serve as tangible reminders of their cherished experiences on set.
Whether it’s a quirky statue like Sea Pappy or a beloved sofa, these items hold sentimental value, representing years of hard work and memorable moments.
Conclusion: The Charm of TV Nostalgia
Jodie Sweetin’s Sea Pappy heist is a delightful example of how actors hold onto cherished memories from their roles. Her playful tactics and the subsequent surprise delivery of the iconic head reflect the personal connections that actors develop with their roles and the sets they work on.
The story highlights the fun and camaraderie that underpin the production of beloved TV shows. As fans, it’s these behind-the-scenes anecdotes that make us appreciate the depth of the shows we love even more.
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