15 Things Fans Never Knew About Three’s Company
Three’s Company was not an original idea, but a remake of a British series called Man About the House.
The chemistry between the main cast members, Suzanne Somers, John Ritter, and Joyce DeWitt, was evident from the first day of shooting.
Suzanne Somers’ departure from the show due to unequal pay led to casting changes and her successful career in Hollywood.
From the iconic Three’s Company cast to the theme song, there are so many unforgettable elements of the sitcom. Running for eight seasons from 1977 to 1984, Three’s Company stands among the most celebrated sitcoms of the era. Featuring what was, at that time, considered to be a fairly controversial central conceit, Three’s Company made for must-see television, and its impact on sitcoms to come cannot be understated. The series was about three roommates, one man and two women, living in Santa Monica, with plenty of misunderstandings and wacky hijinks fueling the comedy of the series.
It has been nearly 40 years since the beloved sitcom went off the air and its imprint on pop culture remains strong, adding to its legacy. As with any television series of such acclaim, there’s quite a bit of background information surrounding Three’s Company to which even seasoned fans may not be privy. From Priscilla Barnes’ hair color to John Ritter’s surprising cameo, it’s time to catch up with everyone’s favorite Santa Monica-based roommates.
The Show Is A Remake
It’s Based On A British Series
The cast of Three’s Company
The cast of Three’s Company
© Provided by ScreenRant
Despite the controversy that came about due to the living situation of the main characters in the series, Three’s Company was not actually an original idea. Instead, it was based on the British comedy series Man About the House, about a man sharing a London flat with two women which was likewise seen as a daring idea at the time. Interestingly, Three’s Company even borrowed the ideas for the original series’ spinoffs with The Ropers and Three’s a Crowd, based upon George and Mildred and Robin’s Nest, respectively.
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The Three Main Cast Members Met On The First Day of Shooting
Their Chemistry Makes This Surprising
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The Three’s Company cast of Suzanne Somers, John Ritter, and Joyce DeWitt had such great chemistry on set even at the very beginning of the series. Their comfort on screen is made even more impressive given that the first time the three main cast members met was on the first day of shooting. The three were thrown together on the first day of production, and, luckily for everyone involved with Three’s Company, the talented actors were able to pull it off. Though the cast could go through some changes throughout the series, making sure this original ensemble clicked was necessary for the show’s success.
Where To Watch Three’s Company
The Opening Credits Woman Was Suzanne Somers
She’s The One Who Makes Jack Fall
Suzanne Somers smiling
Suzanne Somers smiling
© Provided by ScreenRant
Chrissy and Suzanne Somers were both known for their showstopping blonde hue, but the talented actress looks stunning as a brunette, as well. In the opening credits of Three’s Company, Jack is seen riding his bike along a pathway by the beach. He loses his balance and falls off his bike when a beautiful brunette catches his eye. However, in a clever bit of casting that most fans never noticed, the woman was none other than Suzanne Somers in a wig.
Billy Crystal Was Almost Jack Tripper
The Entire Show Would’ve Felt Different
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John Ritter was the breakout star of Three’s Company as Jack, earning popularity and acclaim thanks to his hilarious and physical performance. However, Ritter almost didn’t get the part, as Billy Crystal was up for the role of the male roommate (via Outsider). Crystal was an up-and-coming comedian with some notoriety thanks to appearances on talk shows. However, he ultimately lost out on the role to Ritter and it is hard to imagine anyone else in the part. Of course, Crystal would go on to find great success elsewhere, first joining Saturday Night Live and then starting a movie career with the likes of When Harry Met Sally.
Somers Left Due To Unequal Pay
This Started Several Casting Changes
Suzanne Somers, Joyce DeWitt, and John Ritter made such a perfect team that the news of Somers leaving the series in 1981 was a shock. In the 1970s and 1980s, it was common for male actors to get paid more than their female costars. While Somers was only making $30,000 per episode, Ritter was earning $150,000 per episode (via People). When Somers demanded equal pay, they found a way to write her off the series. However, her established popularity on the show helped her to have a successful career in Hollywood, starring in another sitcom called Step by St