Full House: The Complete Third Season

From a Hawaiian vacation to a TV charity telethon, the 1989-90 third season of Full House features nonstop family fun, as well as life lessons for both children and grown-ups. Perky, spunky Stephanie (Jodie Sweetin) learns that it's not nice to make fun of others in "Nerd for a Day," and that she can't run from her problems after crashing Joey's prized vintage car into the kitchen in "Honey, I Broke the House." D.J. (Candace Cameron), now in junior high school, already knows she's too young to drink, and Uncle Jesse (John Stamos) learns he should trust her after he sees her with a beer in her hand and (not surprisingly) jumps to the wrong conclusion in "Just Say No Way." As for Michelle (Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen), she is now handling catchphrases ("You got it, dude," "Oh, nuts") like a sitcom pro. And just when you thought that it couldn't get more adorable than the antics of three quip-happy kids—not to mention Joey's (Dave Coulier) Popeye impressions, Jesse's Elvis fixation, or Danny's (Bob Saget) anal-retentive anxieties—Full House ups the cuteness quotient with the addition of a pet in "And They Call It Puppy Love." This third season is definitely the charm with such episodes as "Our Very First Telethon," showcasing the ensemble's talent for comedy, singing, dancing, and, in Michelle's case, reciting (with an assist from Mike Love of the Beach Boys), one of the highlights among the 24 compiled here. DVD extras include a “Joey Impersonations: Season 3” montage. Recommended. (D. Liebenson)