Forgotten Three's Company episode sparks debate

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.

In this clip from the episode, Janet encourages Jack to do some wake-up exercises. Jack, ever the jokester, quips that he’s already done “20 hair combs and two sets of teeth brushing,” adding that he doesn’t want to “overtrain.”

In this Three’s Company clip from the episode below, Janet encourages Jack to do some wake-up exercises, but Jack jokes that he already completed some, like ”20 hair combs and two sets of teeth brushing,” and doesn’t want to ”overtrain.”

Seconds later, Jack gives Janet a playful nudge on the backside, leading her to react with, ”I hate when you do that.”

This scene, while comedic at the time, would likely not make it past today’s standards. Some viewers, particularly on TikTok, have reacted strongly to the gesture, highlighting a shift in what is considered appropriate humor.

Pushed the boundaries

One TikTok user commented, “I haven’t watched this since I was a kid, never realized how inappropriate Jack was! 🤣”. Another user responded, “It was funny stupid humor! Unfortunately gone today 😔,” reflecting nostalgia for a time when such moments seemed more acceptable in TV comedy.

However, others are less forgiving, with one comment reading, “A full on predator,” emphasizing the more critical view that such jokes.

In the past, many sitcoms, especially those from the 70s and 80s, often pushed the boundaries of what was acceptable in the portrayal of women and men, with frequent moments of suggestive humor, slapstick comedy, and gender-based jokes. Three’s Company was no exception.

But today, societal views on women’s rights, workplace respect, and gender equality have led to significant changes in how TV content is created and consumed. What was once considered harmless fun is now often seen as reinforcing harmful stereotypes.

This particular scene from Three’s Company has also sparked more than just controversy over Jack’s slap. Another detail, far less contentious, has caught the attention of fans: Jack and Janet have the exact same haircut. And if you take a closer look, it’s hard to deny! Joyce DeWitt’s hairstyle, especially throughout the show’s run, has been a frequent topic of debate among viewers online.

Many fans have fond memories of Janet’s hair in the middle seasons (4/5/6), praising its full, sleek look. However, there’s a division of opinion when it comes to her later hairstyles. Some viewers were not fans of her longer locks in the later years, while others fondly recall her earlier, more iconic cuts.

In fact, Janet’s hairstyle in the first season was sometimes compared to the famous ”Dorothy Hamill haircut,” a style popularized by the Olympic ice skater, Dorothy Hamill, known for her signature wedge cut that captured the 1970s’ fashion zeitgeist.

One fan shared their admiration for Janet’s hair, writing: “I just have to say that Janet (Joyce DeWitt) had the best hair. It was so thick and shiny and beautiful like a little girl. But I wonder how her hair got really thin and curly during the beginning of Three’s Company. Then it went back to straight and thick. What was up with that??”

The magic behind Joyce DeWitt’s hair

It’s clear that DeWitt’s evolving hairstyle didn’t go unnoticed and had women everywhere rushing to their salons, eager to recreate her perky, spiky look.

But what was the real story behind Joyce DeWitt’s magic hairstyle?

It turns out that it was crafted by New York freelancer Harry King, who meticulously cut short, even layers all around her head for that light, airy vibe. According to AP, he added a bit of extra thickness and length at the neck, framing her face with perfect balance. The result? A wash-and-wear style that fell effortlessly into place, needing only regular trims to keep it soft and shapely.

Bloop or Nope? The ‘Set Top’ debate

For anyone with a soft spot for bloopers, spotting a glaring mistake in the Three’s Company episode ”A Crowded Romance” can be a bit of a challenge. However, eagle-eyed fans have still managed to find something that raises a few eyebrows.

”Anyone else notice that you can see the top of the set when he talks about the job?” one fan asked, pointing out a detail you might miss if you’re not paying close attention.

It’s not uncommon for these kinds of on-set slip-ups to happen—whether it’s a piece of equipment sneaking into the shot or a backstage prop making an unplanned cameo. But in this particular case, it seems the so-called “blooper” is more of a misunderstanding.

As several fans have pointed out, there’s no actual mistake here. What some believed to be the top of the set is actually just a bit of old-fashioned décor. Those retro design elements might look out of place to modern eyes, but they’re right at home in the world of Three’s Company.

Whether you’re reminiscing about Janet’s iconic hairstyles, laughing at Jack’s antics, or debating if his playful slap crossed the line, one thing is clear—the show still has the power to get us talking.

Got a favorite blooper, fun fact, or bit of trivia about the series? Or do you think Jack went too far with his cheeky gesture? Share your thoughts in the comments— we’d love to hear from you! And don’t forget to tag your friends who’d appreciate a little nostalgia trip!