Three's Company: Coffee, Tea, or Jack

Three's Company: Coffee, Tea, or Jack
ABC
May 16, 1978
Sitcom
DVD
B

This was written by Kathy Donell and Madeline DiMaggio, who co-wrote a Bob Newhart Show episode.  Guest star Loni Anderson plays Jack's ex-girlfriend Susan Walters, who he still isn't over a year after their last break-up.  (Anderson was considered for the part of Chrissy but she had too savvy a persona for it to be plausible for her to have trouble coming up with the rent.)  Susan arrives while Jack's roommates and the Ropers are planning a surprise birthday party.  So Janet urges Chrissy to lure Jack away, hence one of the more famous stills of the series.

With the exception of "Jack's Navy Pal" and some other tasteless moments, the second season of Three's Company is pretty good.  The range is D to B+, with a B- average.  The cast is settling in, improving their chemistry and finding their individual roles.  Chrissy is at this point drifting towards her dumber incarnation, but is still roughly equivalent to Man About the House's Jo on the Gracie Allen scale.  Jack is doing more physical humor than he did in the first season, but still smart enough to reel off a line like "Your mind is brimming with meretricious fallacies."  Janet is the sensible one of course, but able to do some slapstick, as in this episode.  And the Ropers are the Ropers, doing the shtick that is never hilarious but is not yet stale.

Three's Company: Chrissy Come Home

Three's Company: Chrissy Come Home
ABC
February 28, 1978
Sitcom
DVD
B+

This is the only 3'sC episode written by Joyce Burditt, who seems to have specialized in TV mysteries.  I'm assuming she's the wife of her co-writer here, George Burditt, who had written quite a few episodes already, with more on the way until the very end of the series.  She could plausibly be George's daughter, since the father-daughter relationship between Chrissy and Reverend Snow (Peter Mark Richman in his first of three 3'sC appearances) is very well done.  I also was touched by the friendship among the roommates, especially the moment when Jack asks Janet to wait for Chrissy at the bus stop like he does when she works late.

There's also some lovely farce, with Jack & Janet pretending to be married, and Mr. Roper misinterpreting Rev. Snow wanting to "marry Jack." Note that Mrs. Roper seems to be one of the first J/J shippers, since she's thrilled to be asked to be a witness to their wedding.  All in all, the best episode of the series so far, although it builds on what's come before, including Janet calling Chrissy "Christmas."

Three's Company: Days of Beer and Weeds

Three's Company: Days of Beer and Weeds
ABC
February 21, 1978
Sitcom
DVD
B

This is a fairly seamless blend of Man About the House's "beer" and "pot" stories, of course written by NRW.  They obviously have to get florist Janet out of the apartment before Larry shows up and misidentifies the plant as cannabis (while ironically missing the actual cannabis in Chrissy's bouquet).  Note that so far all of Larry's appearances are in Americanizations of MAtH episodes.  I don't recall when he has his first appearance in an original story.  That said, as the series went on, a smaller percentage of the episodes were conversions.

Desk Sergeant David Tress would return as Virgil.

Three's Company: Will the Real Jack Tripper

Three's Company: Will the Real Jack Tripper
ABC
February 14, 1978
Sitcom
DVD
B

As I said in my review of the Man About the House episode this is based on, the Americanization (by NRW as usual) is an improvement, I think mostly due to Amer-Larry being less sleazy and making a more convincing queen than his British inspiration.  This has the official introduction of Linda (who's been mentioned at least once but not seen) and she's well played by Anne Schedeen (understandably brought back in this and other roles).  The episode is notable for proof that Jack has had sex with at least one girlfriend (the "be careful"/"I thought I was" exchange for instance).  Also we can hear Chrissy do her snort-laugh, although technically that debuted in the previous episode.  (And it's in an out-take from the Dick Sargent episode.)

Paul Ainsley returns as Jim the Bartender.  Ted Gehring, who plays Sandra's Father, had made a M*A*S*H appearance and would make another that year.  Hobin and Ross co-directed again.

Three's Company: Jack's Navy Pal

Three's Company: Jack's Navy Pal
ABC
February 7, 1978
Sitcom
DVD
D

This is understandably one of the most hated Three's Company episodes.  It starts out all right, with Jack practicing the Charleston for a date to a Roaring '20s party, and flirting heavily with Chrissy when she dances with him.  And the trio deciding to butter up Mr. Roper so he won't raise their rent $75 (from $300/month) could've been a fine if not terribly original plot.

And then it goes off the rails when the title character shows up.  Jim Walsh was in the Navy with Jack but he was no pal.  Jack tells the girls that Jim was the meanest person he ever met.  And Jim certainly lives up to it: twice hitting Jack for no reason, demolishing the furniture (and Chrissy's teddy bear), insulting everyone, and grinning the whole time.  The audience isn't even given a catharsis when Jack, after much persuasion, tries to hit Jim (he's hesitant because Jim is temporarily blind), since Jim blocks the punch.  And the trio are stuck paying for the damages to the apartment!

Levitt, Wayne, and Burditt all contributed to this story, so who knows how the blame should be apportioned?  Presumably nobody spoke up (as for instance DeWitt would about the "blonde wig" episode) to say that this episode just wasn't going to work.  And there are people out there who actually enjoy this episode, presumably in a dark-comedy sort of way.  I don't know if it's the worst 3'sC episode ever, but I've always found it the worst from the early seasons.

Three's Company: Jack in the Flower Shop

Three's Company: Jack in the Flower Shop
ABC
January 31, 1978
Sitcom
DVD
B-

Wayne & Burditt co-wrote this episode with Ziggy Steinberg, who also did the "Ex-Con Job" episode of The Bob Newhart Show.  It has Jack holding a grudge for longer than he should, even after Janet apologizes, but he does save her job by taking the blame when she forgets an order.

The guest cast is interesting.  Not only does J.J. Barry return as Janet's boss Mr. Compton, but Mickey Deems makes his first of five 3'sC appearances, here as Mr. Harwood.  And, yes, that's Natalie Schafer being very Mrs. Howelly.

Three's Company: Home Movies

Three's Company: Home Movies
ABC
January 24, 1978
Sitcom
DVD
B

This NRW adaptation is as good as the British original and generally faithful, although not as explicit.  Chrissy makes a home movie because of her film-fanatic boyfriend, Neil (Stuart Gillard, who had written "Chrissy's Night Out" and ironically would go on to be an award-winning director).  Jack's friend, Larry (Richard Kline, in only his second 3'sC appearance) gets ahold of what he thinks is a "blue movie" and wants to use Chrissy's projector to watch it.

Three's Company: The Rivals

Three's Company: The Rivals
ABC
January 10, 1978
Sitcom
DVD
B

Charles Stewart, who wrote the last Brady Bunch episode, did the teleplay for this one, based on a story by Bernie Kahn, who wrote a different Brady episode.  Neither of them wrote for 3'sC again, but they seem to have a firm handle on early characterizations.  OK, it's a bit of a stretch that Stanley wrote romantic letters to Helen during their courtship.  (George Roper's love letters turned out to be to someone other than his wife.)  Janet is expecting a potential client to be old and dull, but he isn't.  (He just has a bad phone voice I guess.)  The client is attracted to Chrissy, who's charming to him since Janet asked her to be.  Janet gets jealous and it's up to Jack to bring the two friends back together, with Mrs. Roper an interested observer, especially when she walks in on J & J sitting in bed talking.

Three's Company: The Gift

Three's Company: The Gift
ABC
January 3, 1978
Sitcom
DVD
B

This Wayne & Burditt episode is set on and just after Chrissy's birthday, which might indeed be in early January.  (Not that airdates correspond to settings, as we've seen.)  Jack has used the rent money to help Mr. Roper get an expensive coat for Mrs. Roper.  (No mention is made of sales tax or even wrapping charges.)  Chrissy assumes it's a gift for her from Jack.  It of course takes awhile to straighten out so that everyone is happy.  Well, everyone except Stanley, who has to pay for a trip to Vegas that Helen insists on.

William Pierson returns, now the dean of the cooking school, although still in charge of loans.  This is, by the way, the 1000th program I've reviewed.  And, yes, I think we'll hit 2000.

Three's Company: Three's Christmas

Three's Company: Three's Christmas
ABC
December 20, 1977
Sitcom
DVD
B

NRW adapted this from a Man About the House episode I'm currently missing, where Robin and Chrissy actually make out!  This version is set on Christmas Day, indeed a Sunday in 1977 (which makes it even stranger that Chrissy's boyfriend would be doing a commercial).  It's Chrissy's first Christmas away from home, although (like Brit-Chrissy) I think she's been living in the apartment for at least a year.  She tells Jack she was named Christmas Snow because her father is a Bing Crosby fan.  (On the episode set during Janet's birthday, Janet claimed that Chrissy was born in January.  It is possible she was born during later of the Twelve Days of Christmas.)

Although other characters are mentioned, including Helen's brother Billy, we only see the main five.  The first half of the episode, set in the trio's apartment, has a giddy feel to it, with everyone excited about their first Christmas together, including presents, a big tree, mistletoe, and jitterbugging.  The second half, set at the Ropers', is an entertaining version of a boring party, including sing-alongs as Jack plays the piano.  (I don't remember if he has this skill in later episodes.  Robin was also able to play that instrument, although not the guitar.)

Three's Company: Helen's Job

Three's Company: Helen's Job
ABC
December 13, 1977
Sitcom
DVD
C+

This Wayne & Burditt episode is one that made me wonder as a kid why the Ropers didn't just get a divorce.  Stanley refuses to give Helen an additional $20/week allowance, so she threatens to get a job.  Janet pressures her into going through with it, ignoring Helen's right to be a housewife.  Even though Jack on the "Stanley Casanova" episode made at least as big a mess for the Ropers, he here sees himself as needing to unscrew the mess the girls (mostly Janet) made, but he makes it worse.  Finally, Helen has to straighten it out herself.  Notable for Jack wearing a version of Robin's naughty apron on Man About the House, with much silent reaction from Stanley, and a wincey moment (wisely left out of syndication) where Chrissy says, "Bring our boys home!" (in reference to Mrs. Roper losing the battle but not the war).

Paul Ainsley returns as Jim the Bartender.

Three's Company: Jack's Uncle

Three's Company: Jack's Uncle
ABC
December 6, 1977
Sitcom
DVD
B-

While it's nice to see Don Porter as the title character, he does two things I dislike in this Wayne & Burditt story: first he passes a bad check to Mr. Roper to cover Jack's share ($100) of the rent, and then he expects Jack to steal the check back.  Even if Jack could manage it without getting caught, wouldn't Mr. Roper wonder where the check went?  That said, I can see why everyone charmed by Uncle Fremont.  Note that Jack says he's Uncle F's only nephew, which is only possible if Lee is Jack's half-brother on his mother's side.  (This would also explain why the younger boy was named Jack Tripper, Jr.)  Also note that the audience is very impressed when Chrissy comes out in a one-piece swimsuit.  I believe this was prior to her poster (not as famous as Farrah's, but still a big deal back in the day).

This is the 400th B- I've given on this blog, definitely the most common grade.

Three's Company: Janet's High School Sweetheart

Three's Company: Janet's High School Sweetheart
ABC
November 29, 1977
Sitcom
DVD
B-

The title is a misnomer, as Janet is apparently the only girl Peter Van Horn didn't date in high school.  She had a crush on him and is nervous and excited when he's coming over, although Jack points out, "He's just a guy.  It's not the second coming of Mick Jagger."  Peter turns out to be a conceited creep who won't take no for an answer, until he thinks that Chrissy's defense of her friend means that the girls are lesbians.  (Not that he says that exactly, but it's implied.)  I would've gone with a B, but in the tag Mrs. Roper indicates she'd like Stanley to "attack" her.  Note, Janet's blue outfit is one of my favorites of hers.

This is the 500th ABC program I've reviewed and they're probably going to maintain their lead.

Three's Company: Stanley Casanova

Three's Company: Stanley Casanova
ABC
November 22, 1977
Sitcom
DVD
C+

This, the first of two 3'sC stories by Gary Belkin, has Stanley wanting to prove to Helen and himself that women find him attractive, so Jack has Joan (Alba Francesca, who was Nurse Cathy King on M*A*S*H) flirt with him.  Joan agrees on condition that Jack go out with her.  Helen of course walks in at the worst moment.  I'm not too happy with anyone's behavior in this one.  Hobin and Ross again co-directed.

Three's Company: Chrissy's Night Out

Three's Company: Chrissy's Night Out
ABC
November 15, 1977
Sitcom
DVD
B

While this is not quite a B+ episode, I do feel like it's one where the cast works very well together, every character clearly defined, including their relationships.  Jack & Janet worry about Chrissy like they're her parents, as the script makes clear, and when Jack makes a joke when Chrissy is upset, he's as disappointed in himself as Janet is in him.  The Ropers blend in well, Helen's "He flashed for Stanley" and Stanley's mincing imitation of a homosexual both funny and significant to the plot.  When the four of them gather around to hear a private conversation between Chrissy and Detective Lannigan (James Cromwell, who had recently played BJ's friend Leo Bardonaro on M*A*S*H), there's really a sense of the solid ensemble.  And it's understandably one of Somers's favorites, since Chrissy is vulnerable at first but tough at the end, while still staying completely in character.

I don't have any other shows that Phil Hahn wrote, but co-writer Stuart Gillard also did a Mork & Mindy.  The writing here could've been a touch better-- it makes no sense for the detective to think Chrissy is easy because she lives with a guy, not when he thinks Jack is gay-- but mostly this episode works and I wish the team had done more.

Three's Company: Cyrano de Tripper

Three's Company: Cyrano de Tripper
ABC
November 8, 1977
Sitcom
DVD
B

This Wayne & Burditt adaptation is a definite improvement over the Man About the House episode "Some Enchanted Evening."  Partly this is due to Jess Nadelman's performance as Chrissy's gourmet boyfriend Michael Winthrop.  (It's a very different, slightly foppish character, compared to Bud Brey on The Bob Newhart Show and the Coach on Welcome Back, Kotter, both in '75.)  He interacts well with Jack, who is uncomfortable having to hide in the kitchen while Chrissy serves the meal Jack cooked, although he's flattered by Michael's praise.  There's a misunderstood conversation between Janet and Mr. Roper about what exactly is going on upstairs.  And Jack teasing Chrissy about the salad dressing is cute.  Again, both Hobin and Ross directed.

Three's Company: Roper's Car

Three's Company: Roper's Car
ABC
November 1, 1977
Sitcom
DVD
B-

Alan J. Levitt wrote this episode about the title object.  There are some moments I like, such as Mrs. Roper finding a glove in the box of stuff from the glove compartment, but I could've done with less of Jack insulting Chrissy's intelligence.  She's definitely the most honest of the trio, perhaps because she's a minister's daughter.

Mr. Wagstaff the car dealer is played by Tom Lacy, who was Dr. Whelan on The Bob Newhart Show.  I suspect that if this had been a later episode, Larry would've made an appearance.

Three's Company: Alone Together

Three's Company: Alone Together
ABC
October 25, 1977
Sitcom
DVD
C+

I don't think this adaptation of the Man About the House episode "And Then There Were Two" is nearly as good.  For one thing, the subplot about Mr. Roper and the real estate fraud is less interesting than Jo's nephew's christening.  And for another, the male roommate possibly "attacking" Chrissy plot is more tasteless here than in the British version.  Note that Jack is now dating Linda, although they seem to break up over the phone at the end.  (We won't see her till later.)

Sondra Currie makes her first of three 3'sC appearances, this time as Sherry Lee.  This is the first of two Bryan Joseph scripts.  And for some reason there are two directors, Hobin and Ross.

Three's Company: Chrissy's Date

Three's Company: Chrissy's Date
ABC
October 11, 1977
Sitcom
DVD
B

I'm currently missing the Man About the House episode that NRW adapted, but I remember it as being equally good.  Chrissy here dates a post-Bewitched Dick Sargent as Lloyd Cross, who lies about being divorced.  This is one of the better episodes showing Jack's sweetness to and protectiveness of Chrissy, although Chrissy does defend herself against Lloyd's lies.  Joyce Bulifant, who was then best known as Murray Slaughter's wife on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, plays Mrs. Cross.

Note that although the "dirty word" scrabble isn't as extensive as on a different MAtH episode, Jack does think Janet is spelling "tit" rather than "title."  The other words are in-joky, like "snow," "wood," and "company."

Three's Company: Strange Bedfellows

Three's Company: Strange Bedfellows
ABC
October 4, 1977
Sitcom
DVD
B

This Wayne & Burditt script, based on a story by Alan J. Levitt, has one of the most memorable scenes in the series: Jack and Stanley waking up in bed together after a wild (by late '70s sitcom standards) party.  It's sort of the opposite of Bob Hartley waking up with his wife at the end of Newhart, and the studio audience is nearly as delighted.  It may not have the same impact now but Ritter and Fell play it well.  The girls are of course very amused, while Helen is confused, not because she doubts her husband's sexual orientation (just his libido), but because she doesn't understand why he'd lie about it.  This is the first episode with a scene in Jack's bedroom (we saw the girls' room when Chrissy's mother visited), and there are some nice shots of the Beatles poster in Jack's room.  (Ritter was a big fan, and he will make at least one Beatles reference during the series.)