Three’s Company remains a beloved classic for many, the chemistry between its cast was pure gold. Sadly, we’ve lost two of its stars — John Ritter and Suzanne Somers — but their unforgettable performances continue to live on through reruns and iconic clips.
Recently, one particular clip has gone viral, stirring up emotions in fans all over again. But why?
Three’s Company thrived on misunderstandings and slapstick humor, with its simple yet hilarious premise: two beautiful 20-something women, played by Joyce DeWitt and Suzanne Somers, and one bumbling man, played by John Ritter, living platonically in an apartment in Santa Monica. To keep their nosy landlords off their backs, Jack (Ritter) pretended to be gay, creating endless comedic situations filled with innuendo and misunderstandings.
From 1977 to 1983, Three’s Company was a top-ten hit, loved by both critics and audiences. It’s hard to believe, but now, 40 years after the show wrapped up, it still has the power to stir up emotions.
And it’s one particular scene from Season 5 that has been getting a ton of attention lately — sparking conversation and dividing opinions. What is it about this episode that’s got everyone talking? Well, you’ll have to stick around to find out…
A Crowded Romance
”A Crowded Romance” was the fifth episode of Three’s Company Season 5 and the 83rd overall episode of the series. Written by Mark Tuttle and directed by Dave Powers, it originally aired on December 2, 1980, on ABC.
To summarize the episode, Larry (Richard Kline) meets a girl who he thinks is “the one,” so he asks Janet (Joyce DeWitt) to send her some flowers.
Janet then asks Jack (John Ritter) to deliver them. After Jack meets her, he agrees with Larry that she’s the one. But things take a twist when Jack and Larry end up dating her, both unaware that the other is also pursuing her.
The situation gets even more complicated when Larry takes her to a new job that Jack has gotten. Drama, miscommunication, and hilarious misunderstandings follow as the love triangle unfolds.
What makes the episode so special?
So, what’s the deal with this episode? First of all, it turns out this particular Three’s Company episode actually has a pretty interesting backstory. It was the first episode to be taped for Season 5, but it wasn’t the first episode that aired.
For the real Three’s Company fans, it’s hard to miss that Suzanne Somers isn’t in a single frame of ”A Crowded Romance”. But if you’re wondering why Suzanne Somers wasn’t in it, don’t jump to conclusions about her contract dispute just yet.
Here’s the thing: the 1980 Screen Actors Guild and AFTRA strike happened that summer, which meant no TV shows or movies could be made.
Because of that, the production of Three’s Company got pushed back from its original start date in July to October. The show ended up premiering in early November, so it was a bit of a scramble.
Now, Suzanne had already planned her stage show at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas for September and October. When it looked like the strike might finally end, the timing of her Vegas gigs clashed with the show’s taping schedule. So, the producers decided to write her out of this episode to avoid any conflicts and moved the episode’s air date to the fifth spot in the season.
But here’s the twist: by the time this episode aired, Suzanne’s contract dispute had already begun, which led to her absence in several other episodes that followed. It’s wild to think that this episode actually marks the beginning of her absence from the show, all thanks to the timing of that strike.
Why was Suzanne Somers fired?
To quickly touch on Suzanne Somers‘ contract dispute, in 1981, the issue of equal pay between men and women wasn’t really a hot topic—or even a topic at all. But Somers was determined to change that. She stirred up trouble when she asked the producers for a 500 percent raise. Instead of the $30,000 she earned weekly, she wanted $150,000, which was equal to her male co-star, John Ritter.
Rather than meet her demands, Suzanne Somers was fired.
“I’ve been playing what I think is one of the best dumb blondes that’s ever been done, but I never got any credit,” she told The New York Times the same year. “I did it so well that everyone thought I really was a dumb blonde.”
The nudge – comedy gold or cringe?
Without Suzanne Somers in the episode A Crowded Romance, Joyce DeWitt truly took center stage and shone in the spotlight. Sporting her iconic blue shorts and pink blouse, Janet finds herself in one of the many hilarious predicaments that made Three’s Company a fan favorite.
This memorable outfit is forever tied to a classic episode that fans still cherish, blending Janet’s playful style with the show’s signature comedic chaos. As always, the chemistry between John Ritter and Joyce DeWitt was undeniable. While the ensemble cast brought plenty of laughs, Jack and Janet were the anchors of the show — Three’s Company wouldn’t have worked without both of them.