The late Bob Saget will have a presence on AFV for the rest of the current season. Originally titled America's Funniest Home Videos, the program first aired in 1989 with Saget serving as the original host. The comedian spent many years showcasing the most outlandish home videos in the years before social media and YouTube were a thing.
On the Jan. 16 episode of AFV, current host Alfonso Ribeiro paid tribute to Saget with a special segment highlighting some of his funniest moments from the show. Revisiting Saget's unique brand of comedy had the show's producers realizing that the vast library they had of Saget-hosted episodes was a treasure trove, and the best thing to do was to continue airing more of these segments every week.
“I’d forgotten how whimsical and crazy his host bits were — very physical and very visual,” producer Vin Di Bona said, per Variety. “In one show he walks on stage in front of the audience and says ‘Did I tell you it’s my birthday?’ And the audience all raises their hands with wrapped gifts for him. It’s that kind of gentle crazy humor that I want younger generations to see from him.”
Di Bona added that the decision to air a weekly tribute segment for Saget was also influenced by the immense outpouring of support that has come in for the late comedian over the past two weeks. Saget was known for being warm and generous to everyone he met, and countless tributes had come in from fellow comedians and actors as well as fans all over the world. With AFV producers going through Saget's footage, they saw "flashes of the qualities that Saget’s friends and co-workers cited most."
Bob Saget Was Also Remembered By His Full House Family
The sudden death of Bob Saget would also hit his Full House family pretty hard. He had been described as the "glue" that always held them together, and it's hard for every single one of them that Saget is now gone. John Stamos had long been one of Saget's best friends and he noted the difficulties he'd had in coping with the loss.
"I am broken," Stamos said on Twitter. "I am gutted. I am in complete and utter shock. I will never ever have another friend like him. I love you so much Bobby."
"Bob was the most loving, compassionate and generous man," the Olsen Twins said in a statement. "We are deeply saddened that he is no longer with us but know that he will continue to be by our side to guide us as gracefully as he always has. We are thinking of his daughters, wife and family and are sending our condolences."
Jodie Sweetin penned a lengthy tribute post that concluded with: "He gave great hugs too. I would always say 'you’re the best TV dad ever.' And he was. I’ll miss you Bob. I’ll make sure and tell an inappropriate joke at your funeral. In your honor. I know you would’ve wanted that. But you were supposed to be here longer… How Rude. Thank you all for the love."
There will never be another like Bob Saget. Thanks to the memories and the enduring love he has from friends, family, and fans, his legacy will continue to live on. Rest in peace.