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.