STAND-UP Bob Saget trashes good-guy image for a shot at adult-theme comedy

Saget is almost indelibly imprinted in people's minds as Danny Tanner.
By JOHN BENSON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
Comedian Bob Saget says it takes about 10 seconds for people to get used to the fact Danny Tanner has gone blue.
Fans are used to Tanner, Saget's character in the popular family comedy "Full House," being the wholesome "every guy" and straight man to pop idol John Stamos and the preschool-age Olsen twins.
However, once the penis jokes start flying and after Saget sings "Danny Tanner was not Gay" to the tune of the Backstreet Boys' "I Want it That Way," all bets are off as fans finally get to see and hear the real Bob Saget. The comedian, who for decades has been biding his time, is now appearing on a comedy stage near you.
"Nothing has been premeditated," said Saget, calling from his car in Los Angeles after dropping his daughters off at school. "It wasn't like, 'Oh, I'm going to be dirty now.' All I did was follow what I know is true, which is, I'm funny."
Saget's journey began in the early '80s with a few notable television guest spots, including appearances on "Bosom Buddies" and "The Greatest American Hero." He also made the rounds on the comedy club circuit, with vivid memories of raucous shows at the long-gone Cleveland Comedy Club.
Start of wholesome image
It wasn't until 1988 that he landed "Full House" and eventually "America's Funniest Home Videos," which quickly painted the comedian-actor as a quintessential wholesome figure. In fact, this exact quality explains why he's been so successful as a family entertainer, as well as a wisecracking, adult-based funnyman.
"Even if I didn't play Danny Tanner on 'Full House,' I think people would still crack up because I just look like a lawyer or an accountant or a doctor," Saget said. "I can't help how I look. Even when I mess my hair up, I still look like some guy you go to get a medical checkup from."
Saget's image make-over began nearly a decade ago with memorable parts in feature films "Half Baked" and "Dumb and Dumber."
However, it wasn't until recently that the 49-year-old set afire the "Full House" persona. If dressed in a robe, surrounded by hookers and smoking pot in his cameo appearance on HBO's celebrity-insider series "Entourage" wasn't enough, Saget's major role in the recently released documentary "The Aristocrats" definitely left people rethinking their beloved Mr. Tanner. The movie explores a vile and longtime insider's joke among comedians and features interviews from over 100 comics. With F-bombs exploding all over, Saget's moment is memorable, even garnering critical acclaim in The New York Times.
Lame 'Videos' one-liners
Saget admits one of the biggest initial hurdles fans of stand-up comedy must get over is his lame one-liner legacy from "America's Funniest Home Videos," which he wrote and takes full responsibility for. He also points out if he had written his normal material, he would have been kicked off the show in a second. So instead, Saget pocketed some serious money from both television gigs and now is free to pursue his lifelong interests, which are stand-up comedy and directing.
HBO recently greenlighted a script he wrote about a divorced gynecologist and his 14-year old son. In the meantime, Saget is hitting the road and introducing fans to his comedic craft. You can see Saget from next Thursday through Oct. 29 at the Cleveland Improv.
"I'm just starting," Saget said. "I'm not even returning. I'm starting something I would have liked to have started at age 26. This is my second chapter, I guess you'd say."