When you think about the beloved 1970s sitcom Three’s Company, you likely envision its hilarious mix of misunderstanding, quirky roommates, and of course, Suzanne Somers playing the fun and flirtatious Chrissy Snow. However, beneath the on-screen chemistry and laughter, a deep-rooted tension simmered among the cast, one that ultimately involved Suzanne Somers herself. In this article, we’ll dive into the surprising reasons why the Three’s Company cast resented Suzanne Somers and how her actions behind the scenes sparked a feud that changed the course of the show.
What Was ‘Three’s Company’ All About?
Before we dive into the drama, let’s take a quick refresher on the premise of Three’s Company. The show, which aired from 1977 to 1984, revolved around three roommates—Jack Tripper (John Ritter), Janet Wood (Joyce DeWitt), and Chrissy Snow (Suzanne Somers). The premise was simple but effective: Jack, a man, had to pretend to be gay to live with two women in a shared apartment. The sitcom was a hit, and the chemistry between the cast was undeniable. But, as with many long-running TV shows, things weren’t as perfect behind the scenes.
The Meteoric Rise of Suzanne Somers
From the moment Three’s Company hit the airwaves, Suzanne Somers, who played the bubbly Chrissy Snow, became a fan favorite. She quickly became the breakout star of the show, receiving widespread fame and attention. Somers’ character was the quintessential blonde bombshell, a role that captured audiences’ hearts. However, as her popularity soared, so did her demands, and that’s where the trouble began.
The Salary Dispute: Where It All Began
It all started with a salary dispute. Suzanne Somers, who had become one of the most recognizable stars of the show, was frustrated with her pay. At the height of the show’s success, she felt she wasn’t being compensated fairly compared to her co-stars. Somers reportedly asked for a raise to $150,000 per episode, a significant increase from her then-current salary. She wanted to be paid as much as John Ritter, the lead actor who played Jack Tripper.
This demand didn’t sit well with the producers of Three’s Company, and soon enough, the tension began to escalate. While the producers were more than willing to negotiate with Ritter, who was the show’s centerpiece, they were less inclined to meet Somers’ demands. This pay disparity quickly created a rift.
The Producers’ Response and Suzanne Somers’ Absence
As the salary dispute dragged on, Somers took matters into her own hands and demanded more screen time and a higher salary. However, the producers, led by Chuck Lorre, were not impressed with her demands. They chose to reduce her screen presence in favor of focusing more on John Ritter’s character, Jack Tripper, and his relationships with Janet (Joyce DeWitt).
For a period, Somers was not featured as much in the show, and her absence was noticeable. In fact, she was written out of several episodes, and the producers brought in a new character, Cindy Snow (played by Jenilee Harrison), to temporarily fill the gap.
This move wasn’t just about salary negotiations—it was a statement from the producers about who had control over the show. Meanwhile, Somers’ absence only fueled the resentment growing among her castmates.
How Did John Ritter and Joyce DeWitt Feel?
John Ritter, who had become a close friend to Suzanne Somers, found himself caught in the middle of the situation. While Ritter initially tried to support Somers, his loyalty to the show and the cast made him uneasy. As one of the central figures of the show, Ritter’s main priority was to maintain the show’s success, and this meant keeping the peace with the producers.
Joyce DeWitt, who played Janet, was less supportive of Somers’ demands. Reports suggest that DeWitt felt that Somers’ actions were selfish, especially since it affected the entire cast. While Somers was demanding more pay, DeWitt and Ritter were content with their current salaries, leading to further tension between the actors.
The Fallout: Suzanne Somers Leaves ‘Three’s Company’
In 1981, the salary dispute finally reached a boiling point. Suzanne Somers was fired from Three’s Company after the lengthy negotiations failed. The producers refused to meet her salary demands, and in turn, Somers left the show. However, this wasn’t just about money—there were deeper issues at play, including the fractured relationship between her and the other cast members.
Somers’ departure left a noticeable void in the show, but the producers moved on quickly. Her role as Chrissy Snow was eventually recast with a new character, Terry Alden (played by Priscilla Barnes), though Three’s Company never quite regained the same magic it had during its earlier years.
The Aftermath: The Cast’s Reactions to Suzanne Somers’ Exit
After Suzanne Somers was fired from the show, the tension among the cast remained. John Ritter and Joyce DeWitt, though professional on set, reportedly felt a sense of relief, as the drama surrounding Somers’ demands was finally over. DeWitt, in particular, felt vindicated, as she had been one of the most vocal critics of Somers’ behavior.
On the other hand, Suzanne Somers took to the media to share her side of the story, claiming that she was treated unfairly. She also expressed her frustration with how the situation had been handled. However, her exit from Three’s Company marked the end of an era for the show.
The Public Fallout: Suzanne Somers’ Side of the Story
In subsequent years, Suzanne Somers openly discussed her grievances with the Three’s Company cast and producers. She painted a picture of herself as a woman who had been treated unfairly and undervalued by the network. Somers expressed that she had been a victim of sexism in the entertainment industry, where her talent and hard work were not properly recognized.
While Somers’ version of events was sympathetic to her own actions, it’s clear that the situation was much more complicated than simply a salary dispute. Her demands, along with her attempts to negotiate for a bigger role, created a climate of tension and jealousy among the cast, particularly with Joyce DeWitt, who felt overshadowed by Somers’ growing fame.
Was It Just About Money? The Bigger Picture
While the salary dispute was a significant factor, the deeper issues likely stemmed from the dynamics between the cast members and the producers. The conflict wasn’t just about money—it was about control, power, and recognition. Suzanne Somers had become a huge star, and while that was great for her career, it created a difficult working environment for everyone involved. Her absence from the show left a void, and the Three’s Company cast had to figure out how to carry on without her.
How the Show Changed After Suzanne Somers Left
After Suzanne Somers’ exit, Three’s Company underwent significant changes. The chemistry among the remaining cast members, especially Ritter and DeWitt, continued, but the show lost some of its luster. The addition of Priscilla Barnes as Terry Alden failed to recapture the magic that Somers had brought to the role of Chrissy Snow. While the show continued for a few more seasons, it never regained the same level of success it had in its earlier years.
Conclusion: The Legacy of ‘Three’s Company’ and Suzanne Somers’ Role
Three’s Company remains a beloved classic of American sitcoms, but its history is not without controversy. The feud between Suzanne Somers and the rest of the cast left a lasting impact on the show, and her departure marked the beginning of its decline. While Somers’ role as Chrissy Snow is still remembered fondly by fans, the behind-the-scenes drama serves as a reminder of the complexities of the entertainment industry.
FAQs
1. Why did Suzanne Somers leave ‘Three’s Company’? Suzanne Somers left the show due to a salary dispute and disagreements with the producers regarding her role and compensation.
2. Was there bad blood between Suzanne Somers and the other cast members? Yes, Suzanne Somers’ salary demands and absence from several episodes created tension between her and her co-stars, particularly Joyce DeWitt.
3. Did Suzanne Somers regret leaving ‘Three’s Company’? While Somers expressed frustration over how things ended, she also gained significant fame from her role and subsequent ventures.
4. How did the show change after Suzanne Somers’ departure? The show’s dynamics shifted, and although Priscilla Barnes joined the cast, Three’s Company never regained its original charm.
5. Was Suzanne Somers’ salary demand unreasonable? The salary dispute was complicated, but Somers felt that she deserved equal pay for her contribution to the show’s success, which led to her frustration.
