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 concept, 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 acknowledgement, there’s quite a bit of background information surrounding Three’s Company to which even seasoned fans may not be private. 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
Despite the dispute 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 similarly seen as a daring idea at the time. Perhaps, 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.
The Three Main Cast Members Met On The First Day of Shooting
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. Although the cast could go through some changes throughout the series, making sure this original ensemble clicked was necessary for the show’s success.
The Opening Credits Woman Was Suzanne Somers
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 lost his balance and fell off his bike when a beautiful brunette caught 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
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 will 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
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 Step.
Ritter, DeWitt, & Somers Were Meant To Sing The Opening Theme
The Three’s Company theme song is well remembered as one of the catchiest television tunes of its era, but it may not have been quite as memorable had the initial pitch of forcing the stars of the show to sing it gone through. According to legendary television songwriter and composer of the Three’s Company theme Joe Raposo in Come and Knock on Our Door: A Hers And Hers And His Guide To Three’s Company, the show’s producers entertain the idea of having the cast sing at least part of the theme. However, in his own words, the cast “…tried,” but “they didn’t even come close.”
Larry Was Not Supposed To Be A Regular
Jack’s best friend Larry became a fan-favorite character since he often had some of the funniest lines as the lady’s man. Three’s Company would not have been the same without Larry, but, originally, he was not supposed to be a regular on the sitcom. The original plan for Larry was to be a one-time character. However, the response to the character was more positive than anticipated, while Richard Cline and John Ritter had such great chemistry that the producers decided to keep him on as a regular.
In fact, Larry was often a key part of some of the best Three’s Company episodes throughout its lengthy run. The popularity of the character ended up being so great that he and Ritter are the only two characters to appear on Three’s Company as well as its two spinoffs.
