Three's Company: Jack's Graduation

Three's Company: Jack's Graduation
ABC
May 6, 1980
Sitcom
DVD
B-

Back on the first episode that aired, Jack said he was going to graduate from his cooking school in 1980, and Janet remarked how long a time this was.  I'm sure that none of the cast, except maybe Somers, expected the show to last that long, but here we are, and not even at the midpoint of the series.  (It is, however, the 80th episode, and airing in '80, although the first two pilots would not air for many years more.)  I definitely remember this episode from the time, including Chrissy's way of abbreviating "Congratulations on Your Graduation."  It has quite a bit for William Pierson to do in his penultimate appearance as Dean Travers, since Jack's final exam is switched by his classmate and the trio have to prove that Jack should've passed.  The Baser & Weiskopf story is also notable for the first glimpse of a nicer, more sentimental Ralph Furley than we've seen through most of his first season.  He's starting to genuinely become the kids' friend, although less than he would be later.

Three's Company in its fourth season fluctuates wildly in quality, with two D+s and two B+s, and a low B- average overall.  There's no one reason for this.  For example, Chrissy has become an even dumber and more cartoonish blonde than in Season Three, and yet sometimes this is funny and sometimes it's painful.  Lana's character is a misfire, and yet she has some good moments, like on the "camping" episode and the one where she thinks Jack is having an affair with Janet and/or Chrissy.  And it's not any particular writer(s) at fault.  Season Five of course would have the impact of behind-the-scenes shake-ups, and yet I recall some good episodes then.