Good Guys Podcast

Episode: John Stamos on Lori Loughlin’s Divorce, Sobriety, and His Full House Legacy

Hosts: Josh Peck & Ben Soffer | Guest: John Stamos
Date: October 20, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode welcomes iconic actor John Stamos for a candid, heartfelt, and often hilarious deep dive into his life, career, enduring friendships, and the challenges he and those close to him have faced. Topics range from behind-the-scenes Hollywood tales to personal stories of love, addiction, and navigating infamy. Stamos especially opens up about his support for Lori Loughlin during her recent divorce and the college admissions scandal, provides insights into sobriety and legacy, and shares the joys and anxieties of showbiz—from “Full House” to Broadway and beyond.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Banter, Friendships & Hollywood Life

• The episode opens with playful banter about Erewhon juice shots, models, and marriage. John jokes about how expensive Erewhon is, “I had to sell an expensive guitar just to pay for the bill.” (00:49)
• The three reminisce about their parallel life journeys: all finding lasting relationships, getting married, and having kids around the same time. John reflects on how he wished for the kind of relationship Josh had, eventually finding it with Caitlin, his wife. (01:31–02:18)
• John shares his origin story with Caitlin: they met while filming an intense “Law & Order: SVU” episode, where John played a particularly wild character. He recalls, “I go, oh my God, I’m going to marry that girl.” (08:41)
• The episode is peppered with jokes about Hallmark movies, polygamy in Utah, and “naked in Colorado”—a recurring theme in their imaginary Hanukkah-meets-Greek-Christmas movie pitch. (03:00–06:00)

2. Reflections on “Full House” Legacy

• The hosts ask John about the infamous story of the Olsen twins being briefly fired as babies. John is honest: “It was like a day. It really wasn’t any big deal…just a lot of crying and I didn’t think they wanted to be there.” (16:04)
• Stamos recalls his own insecurities at his first “Full House” table read, feeling overshadowed by child actors. “I ran out of the reading… said, get me off this show. I was wrong.” (17:01)
• He talks about finally embracing the “Uncle Jesse” legacy after years of trying to prove himself beyond “Full House”: “To me, I’ve proven myself legitimate. If people call me Uncle Jesse, great. I don’t care.” (18:20)

3. Sobriety, Support, and Hitting Rock Bottom

• John credits friends like Ben for supporting his sobriety: “You’ve been very helpful with my sobriety over the years. I think that I wouldn’t be here without you.” (25:45)
• They reminisce about benders and wild stories—including the Vegas press junket just before John went to rehab. “I don’t remember being there either…Those are fun, you know, whatever.” (27:19)
• Sobriety and addiction are acknowledged as cyclical, ever-present challenges, but John exudes gratitude, “We are the lucky ones. It’s hard to see some people around you...not getting it right.” (29:31)

4. Broadway, Stage Anxiety, and Musical Accomplishments

• John discusses pinch-hitting for Josh Gad in “Jesus Christ Superstar” at the Hollywood Bowl with almost no prep: “I was flying home from Spain… I’m not a guy that learns stuff fast… I land, and the next day, I’m in rehearsal.” (33:48–39:17)
• He vividly describes stage anxiety, mistaken lyrics, and how colleagues like Cynthia Erivo eventually rallied around his success. Andrew Lloyd Webber personally praised him: “He comes back and says, ‘That’s fantastic. I can’t believe you pulled that off.’” (43:17)
• The group also humorously serenades each other with a bit from “Funny Girl,” showcasing a playful side and love for performing. (34:09–34:20)

5. Lori Loughlin—Support, Divorce & Scandal

• John speaks at length, devoting a heartfelt explanation of his support for friend and co-star Lori Loughlin during her divorce and fallout from the college admissions scandal. He rejects much of the public scrutiny aimed at her:

“She has never… you know, it’s just hard to see her going through…I’m just heartbroken for her right now.” (53:04)

• John insists Lori “took a lot of the heat that her husband brought to that family. Massimo never been a big fan of that guy… he dragged her through that.” (53:39)
• He details first hearing about the scandal via a 5am text, being baffled, and reaching out to Lori:

“‘Are you okay?’ She goes, ‘Yeah, why?’… and then it broke.” (55:27–56:04)

• Lori’s prison stint is discussed with warmth: “She goes, you know, I met a lot of nice ladies in there. We have a book club. That’s her.” (56:54)
• John reflects on their friendship and the small window when they were both single, ultimately deciding she was “too nice” for him romantically. (58:50)

6. On Fame, Public Perception, and Growth

• John is candid about the downsides of fame and public misunderstanding, including being called “Lamos” by neighbor kids:

“Call me Lamos. Call me whatever you want…I got a career. I got a beautiful wife. I got a beautiful… sometimes you have to say that to yourself.” (68:11)

• He discusses the importance of not letting external validation or negativity define his self-worth and happiness:

“Nothing can fill that God-sized hole… We pulled out of it because kicks keep getting harder to find.” (62:35–62:56)

• The group bonds over their shared journey and self-acceptance, with John expressing pride in the hosts and the mutual support they’ve given each other over the years.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On “Full House” legacy:
  “You don’t get to choose what triggers the zeitgeist… If people call me Uncle Jesse—great. I don’t care. To me, I’ve proven myself legitimate.” —John Stamos (18:20)

• On Lori Loughlin:
  “She always made things better. She cleaned everything up. She made… I will never talk to [Massimo] again. He’s a terrible narcissist and I don’t think you ever get out of that… I pray for this guy. I pray that he gets a hold of…whatever hole that he’s trying to fill… I pray that he realizes that what he had was everything anyone could ever hope for.” —John Stamos (63:56)

• On support and sobriety:
  “You’ve been very helpful with my sobriety over the years. I think I wouldn’t be here without you.” —John Stamos to Ben (25:45)

• On embracing your past:
  “I’ve done everything. I played with the Beach Boys. I’ve had sitcoms. I remember thinking…if I die, it’s okay. I’ve done it all…That’s such a selfish bullshit.” (62:56)

• Comic Relief:
  “I was going to go down this path…Laurie was so sweet…I loved working with her, but it was just too…she was too nice for me.” —John Stamos (58:50)

• Classic John Stamos humility:
  “Call me Lamos. Call me whatever the fuck you want. Call me something…I got a career, a beautiful wife, and a beautiful family at home.” (68:11)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |------------------------------------------|-------------| | Erewhon, models, and marriage banter | 00:36-02:18 | | John Stamos' SVU/Love story with Caitlin | 02:28-11:07 | | Hallmark movie pitch, “Greek Christmas” | 03:00-06:00 | | “Full House” legacy and Olsen twins | 15:38-19:31 | | Sobriety and benders | 25:45-29:31 | | Broadway stories, Jesus Christ Superstar | 33:36-43:17 | | Lori Loughlin’s divorce & scandal | 53:00-62:56 | | Embracing fame/self-worth | 68:10-68:22 | | “What are you, nuts?” segment | 65:09-69:44 |

Tone & Style

The episode smoothly blends heartfelt honesty, vulnerability, Hollywood inside jokes, and spontaneous riffing. John Stamos is playful and self-deprecating, but earnest about the big stuff. The hosts, Josh and Ben, bring warmth, humor, and real camaraderie, encouraging John’s candor and reflecting on their own shared histories.

Summary

This episode is an engaging, intimate, and often hilarious look at John Stamos’s life—on and off screen. He opens up about failed relationships, personal growth, and the blurry lines of public perception. His defense of Lori Loughlin is unflinching and compassionate, and his reflections on sobriety and legacy are thoughtful and inspiring. With plenty of laugh-out-loud moments and backstage stories, this is a must-listen for fans of Stamos, “Full House,” and honest, unfiltered conversations about life in—and out—of the Hollywood spotlight.