John Stamos gets the role of a lifetime — for April Fools’ Day
Leave it to John Stamos to pull an April Fools’ Day prank we don’t hate.
The “ex teen-idol” — his Twitter-bio words, not ours — teamed with Netflix on a trailer for “Stamos: A Human, Being,” a docu-series he describes as “something very special.” Perhaps the role of a lifetime.
“Guess it was the fall of 2015 when things looked to be going a little south for those guys at Netflix,” the “Grandfathered” star says, in all docu-seriousness. “My friend, fellow Greek American Ted Sarandos, the head of content there, he came to me, he said, ‘John,’ he said, ‘my friend, you’ve built more than a life for yourself. You’ve built a brand. Please let us use your beloved brand to take Netflix to that next level, that next place.”
The streaming service’s offer? “We want you to play the role of a lifetime. We want John Stamos to play — John Stamos.”
It’s better seen than described, so check it out above. Alas, in a not-so-stupid marketing move, Netflix saved some treats for those who could sign in: revamped, all-Stamos-all-the-time categories on the landing page.
Among them: “TV Comedies That Manage to Be Funny Even Though Stamos Isn’t in Them.” “Reality TV John Stamos Totally Watches But Denies It If You Ask Him.” “Independent Films Starring Actors Less Rich & Famous Than John Stamos.” “Popular Like When John Stamos Was in High School.” “TV Dramas That Made Stamos Feel Things He Hasn’t Felt in a Long Time.”
Our fave? “New Releases Which Suffer From a Distinct Lack of Stamos.”
Fall 2015, of course, was actually when things went deep south for the actor, not for Netflix; the streaming service had just notched 34 Emmy nominations and was on its way to eight Golden Globes nods and an after-party co-hosted by Harvey Weinstein.
The “Full House” alum was arrested for DUI last summer (in Beverly Hills, natch!), and by the fall, he had gone to rehab (he was so happy he’d done it!) and pleaded no contest on the misdemeanor intoxicated-driving charge, earning himself three years’ probation, private addiction counseling and a year of AA meetings (we knew he’d persevere!).
Bad boy Stamos is still pretty dang shiny, though. Imagine scandal strolling into the room with absolutely perfect hair and oh, that smile. Scandal that has you craving Greek yogurt.
Even the explanation for his nosedive touched heartstrings: “I lost my mother last year, who was the love of my life — obviously a difficult time for me,” he said on the “Today” show. “I had this moment, I had some time off and I had a decision to make. So I took advantage of the time and I made a choice, and I’m just so grateful that I did.”
Of course it was difficult for you, sweetie. We just wished we could give you a hug.
After rehab, he picked up his drumsticks and reconnected with the Beach Boys at the Los Angeles County Fair, and the collaboration is still going on. By the end of October, his new Fox series “Grandfathered” was picked up for a full season.
The hot new girlfriend couldn’t be far behind.
“The other night, I grabbed my phone because there’s this girl I’m dating,” he said in early March on “The View” as women in the audience shrieked with excitement. “But she loves this song ‘Disney Girl.’ So I put on FaceTime the other night [on stage with the Beach Boys]. Like, I grabbed my phone and put it in front of [me] to shoot the whole thing. I thought I got away with it, but people were tweeting, ‘Who are you FaceTiming?’ ”
Yeah, Stamos is such a good boyfriend, he’s even thinking about his lady in the middle of performing with the Beach Boys. Siiiigh.
Prankster Netflix is, of course, the home of “Fuller House,” the continuation of the Stamos-starring sitcom “Full House,” which includes any handful of visits from Uncle Jesse.
More Stamos, anyone?
Follow Christie D’Zurilla on Twitter @theCDZ. Follow the Ministry of Gossip @LATcelebs.
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