Bob Saget on Finding the Balance Between Dirty Daddy and Danny Tanner

Bob Saget Photo by Michael Yarish / Netflix

Anyone who has seen both Bob Saget’s stand-up and his television show knows that there are two sides to the comedian.

On one side, he’s Danny Tanner, the loving, single father on Full House who’s addicted to hugs and cleaning products. On the other side, he can be one of the dirtiest comics in the game, carrying an encyclopedia of juvenile dick jokes in his back pocket.

But after starring in the play Hand to God on Broadway and writing his 2014 memoir Dirty Daddy, Saget feels like he’s slowed down a bit in recent years. He’s finally finding a balance between his duel personas and says it’s only benefited his stand-up work.

“I’m more comfortable on stage,” Saget says. “Dirty Daddy kind of changed me artistically, just in the sense that it slowed me down and it made me want to make things count a little bit more. Stand-up is an interesting thing. It’s a constant growing process.”

Saget, who plays the Wilbur this weekend, admits that his newer material is a bit more personal and less dirty due to his mother having passed away a few years ago. As with his book, the comedian says he’s tried to find the humor in death, and that comedy has been cathartic for him.

He realizes, though, that some fans still need to warm up to his new jokes. While he still attracts droves of followers who wish he was their affectionate father, he also has legions of fans who can’t get enough of his dirty side.

“I am less dirty, which is bothering people,” Saget says. “What I’m doing is enjoying working new material, talking about some things that are more relevant to me.”

He’s quick to reassure his fans, however: “That doesn’t mean there’s any less dick jokes.”

Candace Cameron Bure, Jodie Sweetin, Lori Loughlin, John Stamos, Bob Saget, Dave Coulier Photo by Michael Yarish / Netflix

Saget’s comedy isn’t the only thing that has matured with age.

Danny Tanner, his popular Full House character, is back and a little more relaxed in the follow-up series Fuller House on Netflix. The comedian was thrilled to return to the show and happy to see how the TV dad has evolved over the years.

“It’s not even the same character. He got older,” Saget says. “They wrote it properly so that I could not be that guy. I let my grandchildren do the cleaning.”

Above all, the comedian and actor is amazed at the positive reaction from fans across the globe, even if critics still aren’t in love with the Full House style.

“I couldn’t tell you how good it feels. It was so beautiful to go back to that place,” Saget says. “There’s just something about it, and knowing the people want it so much. It’s never been a critics favorite, it never will be. It’s Full f–king House, you know? So it’s quite a gift to have it be what it is.”

Whether it’s stand-up or acting, Saget just doesn’t want to be that celebrity who doesn’t live up to expectations when you meet him. That’s why he tries to be as honest as he can be, no matter what medium he’s working in.

“I get all my devils out on stage,” Saget says. “I’m like a TV father people can trust.”

Bob Saget performs at the Wilbur Theatre on Friday, March 4. For more information, check out thewilbur.com.