When Suzanne Somers burst onto the scene as the blonde bombshell Chrissy Snow on Three’s Company, she became a household name. However, behind the glitz and glamour of the show, there was a simmering tension that would eventually tear apart the cast. In this article, we will uncover the surprising reasons why the Three’s Company cast resented Suzanne Somers, despite her popularity.
The Golden Age of Three’s Company
Three’s Company was one of the most iconic sitcoms of the 1970s and 1980s. The show was packed with hilarious misadventures, a quirky set of characters, and, of course, the ever-charming Suzanne Somers as Chrissy Snow. But, as with many hit TV shows, things weren’t always as rosy behind the scenes.
The Early Days: Instant Chemistry on Screen
Suzanne Somers was cast as Chrissy Snow in 1977, and from the moment she appeared on-screen, she became a standout character. Her bubbly personality and “dumb blonde” routine charmed audiences and earned her a place as one of the stars of the show. She had chemistry with John Ritter (Jack Tripper) and Joyce DeWitt (Janet Wood), and it seemed like Three’s Company was headed for even greater success.
The Rise of Suzanne Somers’ Popularity
As the show grew in popularity, Suzanne’s fame skyrocketed. She quickly became the face of Three’s Company and was even receiving substantial attention for her personal life. But with this newfound fame came something that many of us are familiar with: ego. Suzanne Somers began to demand more control over her career and her role on the show.
Tensions Begin: The Power Struggle Behind the Scenes
It wasn’t long before Suzanne’s growing ego and demands started to create tension with her co-stars. The trouble began when Somers, feeling undervalued, requested a significant pay raise. She had been making $30,000 per episode, but she believed she deserved more, especially considering her newfound popularity.
The Pay Raise That Started It All
Somers demanded a $150,000 raise, which was a staggering amount at the time. The network, ABC, found this request difficult to fulfill, and negotiations became tense. Her castmates, who were not asking for raises, began to feel uncomfortable with the attention Suzanne was drawing to herself and her financial demands.
The Cast’s Growing Resentment
The tensions didn’t end there. Somers also requested more screen time for herself, which left John Ritter and Joyce DeWitt feeling sidelined. As Suzanne’s role grew, so did the frustration of her co-stars. Many believed that Suzanne’s growing demands were putting the show at risk and that she was being unfair to her castmates.
The Breaking Point: Suzanne’s Departure
Eventually, the tensions became too much to handle. The show’s producers and network executives were caught in the middle of a battle over pay and egos. After months of wrangling, Suzanne was fired from the show in 1981 after Season 5. Her departure was a huge blow to the show, but it was also a relief for many of her co-stars.
Suzanne Somers: The Fallout
After her exit, Suzanne Somers didn’t hold back. She went public with her grievances and accused both the network and her co-stars of treating her poorly. She was especially vocal about the way she was treated by John Ritter and Joyce DeWitt. In interviews, she claimed that the two stars had turned against her, which only fueled the media frenzy around the drama.
John Ritter’s Side of the Story
John Ritter, who was a beloved figure both on and off-screen, responded by acknowledging the tension but also expressing how difficult it was to work with someone who was constantly asking for more. Despite this, he maintained that there were no personal hard feelings toward Suzanne Somers, though the two never reconciled publicly.
Suzanne Somers’ Career After Three’s Company
Though her time on Three’s Company was cut short, Suzanne Somers found success elsewhere. She went on to star in other TV shows and movies, including Step by Step, and became a successful entrepreneur with her line of health and wellness products.
The Legacy of Chrissy Snow
Despite the fallout with her co-stars, Suzanne’s portrayal of Chrissy Snow remains iconic in television history. Her character is often remembered for her comedic timing and lovable nature, even though her off-screen behavior became a source of controversy.
Why the Cast Resented Suzanne Somers: The Bottom Line
At the heart of the issue was selfishness. Suzanne Somers allowed her newfound fame to cloud her judgment and push her to demand more than what was reasonable. Her co-stars, who had been with the show from the start, resented her because they felt she was jeopardizing the show’s success for personal gain.
Ego and the Price of Fame
Fame can be intoxicating, and for Suzanne Somers, it led to demands that alienated her from the very people who helped her get there. When she became the face of Three’s Company, it was clear that the show couldn’t survive with one star towering over the rest.
Conclusion: The Cost of Fame and Ego
The saga of Suzanne Somers’ time on Three’s Company is a cautionary tale of how fame and ego can destroy relationships in the most unexpected ways. What started as a beloved sitcom turned into a battle over pay, power, and pride. While Suzanne Somers’ career survived the controversy, it came at the expense of her friendships with her former co-stars.
As fans, we may never fully understand all the dynamics that led to her departure, but one thing is for sure: the price of fame can sometimes be too high to pay.
FAQs
1. Why was Suzanne Somers fired from Three’s Company?
Suzanne Somers was fired from Three’s Company due to her demands for a pay raise and more screen time, which caused friction with both the network and her co-stars.
2. How did Suzanne Somers’ co-stars feel about her?
Her co-stars, particularly John Ritter and Joyce DeWitt, felt resentful of Suzanne’s behavior. They believed her demands for more money and attention were detrimental to the show.
3. What happened after Suzanne Somers left Three’s Company?
After leaving the show, Suzanne Somers went on to star in other TV shows, including Step by Step, and became a successful entrepreneur, but she never reconciled with her former co-stars.
4. Did Suzanne Somers ever apologize for her actions?
There is no public record of Suzanne Somers apologizing to her co-stars for her behavior. She remained vocal about the treatment she received but did not seek reconciliation.
5. Is Suzanne Somers’ role as Chrissy Snow still remembered today?
Yes, Suzanne Somers’ portrayal of Chrissy Snow is still considered iconic. Despite the behind-the-scenes drama, Chrissy remains a beloved character in sitcom history.
