Behind the Camera: The Unauthorized Story of 'Three's Company'

I always enjoyed the TV series "Three's Company" and was familiar with some of the behind the scenes controversy about it and decided that I had to watch this TV movie when I heard it was coming out. Overall, I was not disappointed.

I don't think anyone could watch this movie without being astonished by the performances of Bret Anthony, Melanie Deanne Moore and Judy Tyler as John Ritter, Joyce DeWitt and Suzanne Somers. They were completely convincing and believable in these parts. You could almost reshoot the series with these three and it would take a while to realize that it wasn't Ritter, DeWitt and Somers. Even the supporting cast (Gregg Brinkley, Barbara Gordon and Terence Kelly as Don Knotts, Audra Lindley and Norman Fell) slipped perfectly into their roles. The account of how the show fell apart as Somers and particularly her husband Alan Hamel decided to push the rest of the cast aside to make way for her stardom felt real, and there were even moments of sympathy for Somers as the definite impression is given that she never intended things to go this far - it was "her people" and her husband and not her. It's very entertaining.

Not perfect, mind you. I thought the whole thing had too much of a pro-Joyce DeWitt feel to it. She was always the innocent one getting hurt - first by Somers, then by Ritter as he hides the fact that the show is about to be cancelled and his character spun off. It would be interesting to see the story from Suzanne Somers' point of view. I also thought the movie jumped far too quickly through the first few years of the show for the sake of concentrating on the Somers controversy. Joyce DeWitt's (the real one) narrative was also completely unnecessary and added nothing of value, in my view.

But even with those criticisms I thought this was great entertainment for a Monday night couchfest. 8/10

It is sobering to see that a show that exemplified the mindless, 70s sex revolution with it's, at the time, envelope pushing innuendo and double entendres, was fraught with deception, greed and betrayal behind the scenes.

The actors chosen to portray the various performers of "Three's Company" are very good, most notably the ones chosen to portray John Ritter/Jack Tripper and Joyce DeWitt/Janet Wood. The actress who played Suzanne Sommers/Chrissy Snow did a wonderful job playing the conflicted yet easily swayed by her husband star who ends up becoming a pariah of the set of the show after unreasonable contractual demands and skipping out on tapings. The performances of the network brass, show's producers, and Sommer's husband, Alan Hamel are excellent also. The supporting cast, the Roepers, Mr. Furley and Cyndi Snow, are also represented. Priscilla Barnes/Teri is merely an extra with no lines and Larry is nowhere to be found. It would be interesting to see how the rest of the cast and crew were affected by the contractual warfare that became very personal between Sommers and the producers. Joyce DeWitt took on a role as a producer of this film and narrates the film. Although this was not necessary, I suppose it lent a bit of authority since DeWitt was obviously there when all of these things were happening. But one wonders if this also could mean that the movie is slanted by representing DeWitt as the Saint who is just doing her job who gets wronged by Sommers, the Producers and Ritter who keeps plans of him getting a spinoff that doesn't include Janet from her. But the facts speak for themselves and one can see that this could all be very well true.

One can say that Sommers is painted in a bad light but it does evoke sympathy for her when she begins to wonder if she has gone too far and is killing her career but is easily sold on the idea by her slick talking husband who is an unsuccessful actor who's claim to fame are local supermarket commercials. Sommers quickness to believe this man is revealed when she talks about humiliating herself early in her career to help pay her son's hospital costs by dressing as a squirrel and passing out nuts and when she says that she wanted to become the next Farrah not Liberace in one of the films funnier (unintentionally lines). Ritter is portrayed as a nice guy who loses patience with Sommers antics but also as a passive, milquetoast who gives in too easily to the producers' offer of his own spinoff at the expense of the other cast members.

The bottom line is that what energy or magic the series had early on in it's run, was spoiled by the lack of appreciation for the actors by the producers, avarice of Sommers and "her people," Alan Hamel and the constant tinkering that was designed to spite Sommers. In the end, everyone seemed to lose and seems embittered by the whole experience. Ritter and Sommers did not seem to want part of this project and DeWitt seems to be gritting her teeth to this day in the segments where she narrates the goings on.

All in all, this is one of the more interesting, well made TV movies about a TV show because it deals with what made the show work and ultimately what ruined it, the best and worst of human nature.

As shown in all the promo ads for this MOW, the focus of the show was on the whole Suzanne Somers debacle. The show becomes a hit, tapping into a nerve of the country post Sexual Revolution and pre-plague where the idea of a gay man is still considered relatively harmless and nancyingly funny. Everyone is happy. Then Somers' star power is doubly fueled by her greedy husband and the misshapen and ultimately fruitless desire to be the next Farrah Fawcett (note where both are today). Fights ensue on and off the set and then we are treated to the only real moment of drama in the film. When Somers arrives and is escorted to a backstage set where she tapes the infamous "phone call from sick mother's" house. I can totally remember watching those scenes as a youngster and thinking, Why is Chrissy there?

This was one of my favorite shows growing up, but watching this movie, you wouldn't understand why anyone ever watched it. We are treated to one scene of the show with one of the famous misunderstandings which were such a staple. Although, the emphasis was on Somers, I felt that there could have been more of an explanation of why this show was so popular. It was toted as a behind-the-scenes look at the show, but felt more like Somers life story 1977-1983. I was interested to learn, however, that Somers wanted to play Jack's fiancee in the spin-off. Can you imagine how interesting that would have been? That Vicki was so incredibly boring. I can remember at least one storyline from "The Ropers". "Three's a Crowd" does not ring the faintest bell.

Poor Priscilla Barnes gets no more than one minute. And where were Larry, Lana, an ever-so-small glimpse of The Regal Beagle? And did anyone else get the feeling that Jud Taylor looked almost too much like Gwyneth Paltrow? During the movie I was thinking she should play her next. But who would play Brad Pitt?

The Joyce DeWitt narration bookends were wholly unnecessary and further testament to the fact that she really did get the short end of that whole deal. I liked the woman that played her. She achieved a very fine balance between wanting to maintain the equilibrium of the show and the jealousy she must have been feeling toward Somers and, later, Ritter. The Ritter casting was remarkable. For me, he was always the real star, next to the remarkable Audra Lindley.

Overall, enjoyable, especially for fans of the show. But for a much better treatment of the subject, watch the E! True Hollywood story. It's one of their best.

7/10

I was thrilled when they were going to air this movie. Yes, I do agree it basically was the E! True Hollywood Story of a few years ago, but it was exceptionally well done nonetheless.

The acting was good on all parts. I was a little annoyed by the actor who played Don Knotts/Mr.Furley but other than that all of the other actors were more than outstanding in their roles.

The few problems I had with the show other than the above mentioned Don Knotts actor were these: Richard Kline/Larry Dallas not even mentioned. Did they think no one would notice this, or did they just have too much already and could not figure out how to place him in any of it. He was missed.

I also had quarks with the set as well, and the scenes where the Suzanne Somers character complained that her "Tag-On" scenes were just four lines. Recent episodes on Nick-at-Nite that have re-run show that they were NEVER that short.

And the shot of the final episode being taped. Teri Never wore her nurses uniform in the final Three's Company episode. That was way too cheesy.

Other than that it was nicely handeled and I liked that it showed Alan Hamel and the producers of the show to be more of the villains than Suzanne Somers.

One final thought. And this goes back to one of my quirks with the actual show. Will anyone ever really acknowledge that Ann Wedgeworth/Lana Shields was ever on the show?????? I know she was only on for maybe half a season but jeez-louise. Give a older lady/tramp a break. Long Live Lana!!!!!!!!!!!!

I thought this TV movie was very well done. It was well directed, well written and the actors all did a great job. The story itself was pretty straightforward and predictable, but it was executed very well.

The emphasis of the story was obviously based around Suzanne Somers' contract disputes, but the story never focused on one area for too long. It was a well-balanced and enjoyable TV movie. Well cast and well shot, it was a truly enjoyable watch.

All the actors did a great job. Bret Anthony did a good job with John Ritter, even if he does look uncannily like a Kennedy. Melanie Moore was great as DeWitt, even if the voice wasn't quite there. Judy Tylor is one fine looking Somers, but she also showed great range in her performance. Gregg Brinkley seemed a little too young to play Don Knotts but he pulled off the voice and mannerisms perfectly. Brian Dennehy was great as usual in his "I appear in everything" character-actor role.

All in all, a surprisingly solid TV movie. Definately worth a viewing during the VH1 reruns.

7/10

The only problems (minor):

Suzanne Somers didn't start promoting the Thighmaster until the late 80's, this movie has you believe she started in the early 80's.

The clothing was pretty accurate for the main characters, but the network brass all wore suits that were nowhere near in-style during the 1970's. No crazy collars, no big, wide ties, no plaid, etc...

The sets weren't all that accurate when compared to the original show.

As everyone has said, no Larry.