User Reviews

I just stumbled onto this on YouTube, the "E! True Hollywood Story" on the successful TV show "Three's Company". Produced after a book on the behind-the-scenes details of the program was published called "Come and Knock on Our Door" by Chris Mann, the author of that one was among the people interviewed for this episode. Also interviewed were the stars John Ritter, Joyce DeWitt, Don Knotts, Ann Wedgeworth, Priscilla Barnes, Jenilee Harrison, Richard Kline, Suzanne Somers, and-in what turned out to be his final interview before his passing some 10 weeks later, Norman Fell. It details the show's first incarnation in Britain as "Man of the House" before the US pilot had cast Ritter and Fell, but had two different women as Ritter's roommates before DeWitt and Somers were cast. It delves briefly into Fell reluctantly agreeing to have him and his TV wife Audra Lindley spun-off in "The Ropers" which had a short run but not short enough for the producers to agree to bring back those two to "Three's Company" as Fell had it put in as a condition to doing that spin-off. And then comes Ms. Somers' contract demands and unexcused absences (she had claimed a broken rib but a couple of her costume designers had contradictory stories) that threatened to create a poisoned atmosphere on set. In short order, the remainder of that season resulted in first, Jenilee replacing her on the show, and second, Suzanne then doing end-of-show pickups shot on another day and another set. But because Jenilee's character was too naïve to survive a show mostly based on sexual tension, Priscilla would eventually replace her. Also explored is the chauvinistic tone as implied by both Ms. DeWitt and Ms. Barnes of their bosses which contributed to the discomfort the latter especially experienced. And the final chapter when-after the show's ratings decline-ABC and the producers then develop another spin-off for John Ritter's character but without any of the others. DeWitt is especially frank about how unfair that was to her to the point of disappearing from public view for a long time after that. As a child, I remember enjoying the show during its early years but I missed the finale and didn't see much of the "Three's a Crowd" spin-off. John Ritter was always funny with his physical skills, and when the show needed to replace The Ropers as the landlords, they got Don Knotts as Ralph Furley and he had very good chemistry with Ritter. In summary, this was a well-informed and entertaining ep of "E! True Hollywood Story" especially during the closing credits when Ritter offers an anecdote about certain audience members...

This special by E is about as complete as you will get to what really happened on and off the show.

First before I comment on this, I would to point out that I personally though "Three's A Crowd" was good. It was funny, and racy at times, but always made you laugh. Also personally I did not want to see a relationship between Jack and Janet develop.

Janet (Joyce Dewitt) must audiences will say was the most annoying out of all the roommates in "Three's Company" (She often received the butt of the joke) She neither had the sexual appeal that the other's had.

Now this special tells you how the show started, how ABC wanted to cancel it (because of some of the sex innuendo's) , Suzanne Somers, kid tantrums, and how she laughingly wanted to be the highest cast member of the show.

This is probably the most funniest part of the show, because Summers was no doubt hard hired for her looks and had zip, zilch nada talent.

She was eventually fired from the show, but this crybaby went as far as suing the show!!!

LOL. Give me a minute to laugh that one off.

The show also reveals the great laughs the cast had on the show.

It also reveals how Joyce Dewitt was jealous of John Ritter's success by the end of the show.

Ritter (playing the same role for 7 yrs old) was getting tired of the show, but Joyce wanted it to go on further (of course she had no talent whatsoever).

The show finished, but Dewitt still felt bitter about the exit and Ritter's decision to not continue the show. LOL

This special also has one of the last interviews with Mr. Ropper (The great Normal Fell), and Mr. Furely (Don Knotts) before Fell died.

Overall this is a must see, for anyone wishing to learn what really went on "Three's Company".

For starters, you needed to use your spell check. It's ROPER not Ropper.

According to general information, Joyce DeWitt was NOT the most annoying character on the show. CINDY was. As a matter of fact, she was cut from the show because she didn't mesh well with the other characters. Pricilla Barnes was referred to as "the blonde one" for months after she was hired.

Now for your information, -Joyce De Witt is a successful STAGE actress and is very talented. -Jenilee Harrison became an infomercial host and also appeared in "Loving Evey Minute of It," by Loverboy. -Suzanne Somers went on to do "Step by Step", but I agree. She is talentless.