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‘Fuller House’ Creator Jeff Franklin: Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen’s Absence Is a ‘Giant Bummer’

Mary-Kate Olsen Ashley Olsen
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen attend the Estée Lauder Modern Muse fragrance launch party on Sept. 12, 2013, in NYC. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Estee Lauder

Things aren’t the same. Fuller House creator Jeff Franklin explained in an interview published on Friday, February 26, that Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen’s absence from the Netflix revival series is a “giant bummer.”

The Olsen twins, 29, who have their own fashion empire, are the only former Full House cast members who didn’t return for the reboot. Their character, Michelle Tanner, is briefly referenced in the new series when Danny Tanner, played by Bob Saget, explains that they are living in New York City as fashion designers.

Related: PHOTOS: Full House Cast: Then and Now!

“That was a giant bummer, but their participation was never a precondition for doing that show,” Franklin, 61, explained to Vulture. “I hoped that they would come back and do one episode, but I didn’t think that they were going to be regulars.”

Bob Saget John Stamos
‘Fuller House’ debuted on Netflix on Feb. 26. Michael Yarish/Netflix

The executive producer told reporters at the Television Critics Association press tour on January 17 that the subtle reference to the Olsens “wasn’t meant to be a dig,” but rather a “playful wink.”

Related: PHOTOS: TV Shows Gone Too Soon!

Fuller House debuted on Netflix on Friday, February 26, almost 20 years after the original series’ premiere in 1987. Original cast members Candace Cameron Bure, Jodie Sweetin, Andrea Barber, Saget, John Stamos, Dave Coulier and Lori Loughlin all returned for the revival.

Click here to see Us Weekly’s recap of the Fuller House premiere!

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