Fuller House to offer winkingly ironic explanation for missing Tanner kid

Thanks to the hard work of US Weekly, we finally have an answer, and it’s neither devastating nor particularly imaginative. It seems Michelle will be too busy establishing a fashion empire in New York to return to San Francisco to move in with her two sisters, an annoying neighbor, and a couple of kids, despite probably having had at least as many roommates in her first New York apartment. This is purportedly a fun little nod to the Olsen twins’ real-life moguldom (and lawsuits). So there you have it—art will imitate life, Joey will do an impression of a woodchuck grief counselor, and Great-Uncle Jesse will mutter “Have mercy” in response to Michelle’s callousness.

The series will also feature an episode where the family prank-calls Michelle with her catchphrase, “You got it, dude,” possibly because this is an alternate reality where someone wouldn’t just hit “Ignore” when they see an incoming call from their dad or older sisters.