Three's Company: Strangers in the Night

Three's Company: Strangers in the Night
ABC
January 5, 1982
Sitcom
DVD
B-

Shelly Zellman wrote this story which is some people's sentimental favorite, while I find it an improvement over "Old Folks at Home" but still problematic.  As in "OFaH," Jack is dating a pretty woman who's ugly on the inside, she proving this by insulting someone whose defense Jack comes to.  But it's a different set-up.  Jack woos a Southern belle, Arabella, by serenading her, well, miming to Larry strumming guitar and singing, "You Are So Beautiful."  But he chooses the wrong apartment and instead finds himself setting up a date with Bernice (Jacque Lynn Colton, who would return in the smaller role of Plump Lady).

Not only is she a stranger (see the title), but she's much heavier than any girl Jack would date.  But he doesn't want to hurt her feelings by telling her it's all a mistake.  Janet and Terri are very amused, as is Larry, until Bernice compliments the singing.  The tone is tricky here, because some of the humor comes from Bernice's weight, and yet she is presented sympathetically.  When Arabella insults her, Jack pretends he is attracted to Bernice, and he dismisses Arabella with "Frankly, My Dear, I don't give a damn."  Bernice sees through his lie and they agree to be friends.  Which is sweet, but why is the possibility of Jack actually dating Bernice dismissed so readily?  Not that Jack should date someone he's not interested in, but it's too simple a solution.  Still, compared to the fat stereotypes elsewhere on TV, like on the "skiing" episode of this series, I guess this is progress.

Pamela Dunlap would return later in the year as barmaid Lily.