Marla Sokoloff's daughters, it seems, failed to be swayed by the rebellious edge of her iconic character in 'Full House.' In a captivating Friday episode of Dave Coulier's podcast, 'Full House Rewind,' the esteemed actress divulged that her portrayal of Gia was a "perfect fit," as she embodied "a sharp-tongued individual, constantly maneuvered into situations where she'd perform acts deemed deplorable or irritating." "That's a part of my very being," Sokoloff candidly confessed.
During her recurring stints in seasons 7 and 8 of 'Full House,' Sokoloff breathed life into Gia, Stephanie's loyal BFF. Initially painted as a troubled teen indulging in clandestine smoking sessions in school bathrooms amidst unsavory company, Gia transformed under Stephanie's guidance, shedding her 'bad girl' persona.
"Didn't you have to puff on some herbal cigarettes for the show?" Coulier inquired, curiosity piqued. Upon Sokoloff's affirmative nod, the actor's thoughts drifted to her own offspring. "Have your daughters caught glimpses of your 'Full House' days?" he queried.
"They embarked on their journey with 'Fuller House' first," Sokoloff recounted, a smile creeping across her face. "But I insisted, 'Hey, kids, let's go back to the roots. Start from the very beginning.' And they obliged, diving headfirst into the original series."
"So, what's your strategy when they encounter Gia on screen?" Coulier probed, amusement lacing his voice. "Do you warn them, 'Don't you dare mimic that behavior?'" he asked, addressing the mother of three with a mischievous glint in his eye.
"Absolutely," she echoed, her tone laced with nostalgia. "The smoking revelation was particularly shocking to them. They'd gasp, 'Mom, you smoked?!' as if it were the ultimate taboo." Sokoloff's gaze drifted fondly towards her memories on the set, where she remembered the cast as nothing short of "astounding." "Being a guest star, it's a delicate balance to maintain," she continued, "even if it's a show you're familiar with. But you guys never made me feel like an outsider."
"That's because you seamlessly became part of the family," Coulier chimed in, his voice warm with sentiment. "You were a gem, you know? Unlike some of the other kids who weren't quite as charming. They found themselves uninvited to the gatherings and often didn't return for subsequent episodes." Coulier further elaborated, adding a touch of drama, "We've even seen seasoned actors and actresses unravel under pressure." When Sokoloff sought clarification, wondering if these instances involved children or adults, he confirmed with a smile, "Oh, no, these were full-grown professionals, struggling with the demands of the craft."
