Bob Saget brought laughter to millions as the original host of America's Funniest Home Videos from 1989-1997. Now, those who've since taken to hosting the program in the years since are honoring the one who started it all. Alfonso Ribeiro, the current host of AFV (as it's now called), was among the many celebrities paying tribute to Saget in the hours after his death was announced.
I am deeply saddened by the passing of my friend and fellow AFV host Bob Saget today," Ribeiro says. "I had the pleasure of meeting him in the early 90s when the show started. He was amazing. There’s no AFV without Bob. RIP Bob. We will all miss you."
After Saget's exit and before Ribeiro's entrance, Tom Bergeron had served as the host of AFV. Bergeron has also taken to Instagram to pay tribute to Saget, in which he says, "For my final AFV, I asked my friend for a special favor. Without hesitation he said yes (link to video in bio). I’ll always be grateful for that. And for our friendship."
The video stems from when Bergeron retired from his own stint hosting the show. He wanted to make his exit memorable and it felt appropriate for him to be led away by the man who hosted the series before him. In the clip, shown above, Saget appears in a golf cart on the ABC studio lot to drive Bergeron away from the AFV set. The two talk about going out to buy a trampoline, something which led to countless AFV submissions over the years because of trampoline-related shenanigans.
“It’s so interesting because we were connected [through the show] and then we got to be friends and I just feel a real kinship to you,” Saget told Bergeron on the Bob Saget's Here for You podcast last year.
“Same here,” said Bergeron. “[I remember] how much I had to twist your arm to get you to do, I think it was the 20th season, I finally convinced you to come on with me. It just seemed appropriate that you would be part of that celebration and we ended up having a ball … you had me almost in tears of laughter throughout the whole thing. It was great.”
Saget replied, “Well, it was mutual and I believe we went out to dinner soon after that because it was a kinship."
Bob Saget Was Just as Kind as He Was Funny
One reason why Saget worked so well as the host of America's Funniest Home Videos was because his kindness had always shown through. Whether he was telling the squeaky clean jokes you'd hear on that show or the more raunchy material he'd put on display on stage, Saget always wanted to use his humor to bring joy to others. There's no telling how many millions have been given laughter through the late comic's body of work.
As a statement released by ABC puts it: "We are deeply saddened by the sudden loss of our friend and colleague, Bob Saget, who will always be a member of the ABC family. Whether playing a loving father on Full House or hosting the early years of America’s Funniest Home Videos with his signature wit and charm, Bob always knew how to connect with families through heart and humor. Our thoughts are with his family as we mourn the passing of such an incredibly gifted comedian and talent."
There will never be another like Bob Saget. Rest in peace.