‘Threes Company’ is What to Watch With Your Spouse To Unwind

Picture this: a modest apartment in Santa Monica where a single man shares his living space with two women. The catch? To keep the arrangement, he must convince his landlords that he's gay. This little white lie sets the stage for eight seasons of TV gold.

Today is a special episode of Wholesome TV Picks because tonight we're flipping the script. Instead of movie night, it's parents night, and I've got just the thing for you: a show packed with laughs, charm, and one of the most iconic comedy leads of all time.

Personal Connection

I remember the first time I watched this show. Little did I know years later I'd be strolling through those very studio halls, feeling the history and echoes of laughter that once filled Studio 31—right next door to The Price is Right Studio, Studio 33, where I used to work with Bob Barker. Those were the days. Fun times.

Historical Context

Breaking Television Boundaries

In 1976, television audiences were introduced to a daring concept: a man cohabitating with two women, none of them romantically involved. Back in the early seventies, TV still held to some traditional family values, and this show premiered at a time when those values were starting to be challenged.

The Show's Premise

So back to the show: in order to appease the conservative landlords (first the Ropers, and then Mr. Furley), Janet concocts a fib that Jack is gay. This premise became the linchpin for countless comedic scenarios.

The Cast

The Legendary John Ritter

The infamous Jack Tripper was played by John Ritter, whose comedic genius was unparalleled. His physical antics like tripping over furniture, exaggerated facial expressions, and his willingness to do anything for a laugh put him on par with Robin Williams and Lucille Ball. In fact, Lucille Ball actually guest-starred on two episodes of Three's Company for a retro look back at the show and its best moments.

The Supporting Cast

Every character brought something unique:

Janet, played by Joyce DeWitt, was the smart, level-headed one

Chrissy, played by Suzanne Somers, was the sweet, lovable "dizzy blonde" who played it to perfection

Larry, played by Richard Kline, was the scheming, smooth-talking best friend who always had a wild idea

The Landlords

The Ropers and Mr. Furley played the landlords in different seasons and added a whole new level of humor to the show:

Stanley Roper was played by Norman Fell

Helen Roper was played by Audrey Lindley

The lovable Don Knotts played Mr. Furley

Memorable Moments

The Ropers' Banter

Stanley and Helen Roper had a lot of hilarious jokes written for them. Their bickering was legendary. For instance, in one episode, Helen asks Stanley as he's sitting on the couch with a newspaper in hand:

"When are you going to paint the building? You've been promising all week." And he simply replies, "Well, the week isn't over yet." "Yeah, but you've been promising all year." "Well, the year's not over yet." "How long can you look at something so drab and faded?" And he replies, "I don't know. How long have we been married?"

Hearts and Flowers Episode

In an episode called "Hearts and Flowers," Janet has just quit her job at the flower shop because of her new efficiency expert boss named Bobby, a woman who's very uptight and doesn't take nonsense from anyone.

Mr. Furley and Terri come up with a plan. They walk into the flower shop pretending Terri's getting married, all to help Janet get her job back. Mr. Furley, in a very loud sport coat, comes in with Terri and tells Bobby that Terri (his "daughter") is getting married.

Bobby asks, "Oh, so you'll probably be needing some house plants or floral arrangements?" Mr. Furley straightens up and says, "No, what we really need are some three-quarter inch nails." Bobby looks confused and replies, "We don't have nails." Terri responds, "Then what's holding up all that stuff on the walls?" Bobby deadpans, "Nails." Furley raises an eyebrow and says, "I thought you didn't have any nails." Later he says, "Well, just give us our hammer and we'll be on our way." Bobby snaps back, "We don't have hammers." Terri, without missing a beat, replies, "Then how'd you get all that stuff up on the walls?" Bobby looks around and says, "With a hammer." Furley declares, "Aha! We'll take that one."

Larry's Misunderstanding

Another moment of terrific writing occurs when Jack's best friend, Larry, thinks an older woman in her seventies is after Jack. It's all a misunderstanding. Larry walks into the living room with two wine glasses in one hand and a bottle of wine in the other. He arrogantly sits down right next to this woman, whose name is Martha, and says:

"Excuse me, but I just couldn't help noticing your perfume. It's so mysterious, so enchanting, so sensual. What do you call it?" And she replies, "Ben Gay."

Legacy

This show left an indelible mark on television history. Its bold themes and unforgettable characters continue to resonate today, reminding us of the timeless nature of well-crafted comedy. So, what show turned one harmless fib into eight seasons of chaos, charm, and classic TV gold? Three's Company.

Cultural Impact

Three's Company wasn't just funny; it was foundational. It left a permanent mark on TV history—a sitcom that didn't try to change the world. It just made us laugh. And honestly, that's reason enough to re-watch it again and again. While some moments feel distinctly tied to their era, the humor, timing, and charm are timeless. It's proof that you don't need big effects or high drama to create something memorable.

Personal Connection

There's something really special about watching Three's Company with your spouse. This is one of those shows that my husband and I can just sit down, watch, and enjoy together. No stress, no serious plots to follow. It doesn't try to fix anything, but it gives you a reason to laugh together. And in a world where we're all busy juggling work, parenting, and everything in between, that shared laughter can go a long way. Sometimes that's exactly what you need to reconnect at the end of a long day.

Conclusion

That brings us to the end of this Special Parents Night episode. I hope you enjoyed learning about Three's Company. In a previous episode, I talked about a family sitcom with an amazing cast. One of those cast members played the youngest sibling on that show. But what happens when that same kid swaps family life for a dream mansion and a bank account bigger than he ever imagined?

In our next episode, we're diving into a nineties film packed with adventure, wish fulfillment, and just a little bit of trouble. You'll have to tune in to find out.

Do me a favor and share this episode with friends and family who you think will enjoy this content and head over to Apple Podcasts and leave a review to help me grow this podcast. You can also send me a message on my website at familytvuncovered.com. Thanks again for tuning in. Have a great rest of your week, and I will catch you on the next episode.