Jack Frost
08-26-2000, 03:35 PM
The reason 'Friends' is so successful is because it learned from the mistakes that 'Three's Company' made during its run. Rule Number 1: If you're an actor on a hit sitcom don't waste your one real moment in the spotlight for more money. Suzanne Somers did this by herself, and once she got booted, the show sucked. On 'Friends' however they all stuck with one another. If they didn't get their pay raise, the show wouldn't exist. I always felt that 'Three's Company' in the 80s was a bastardized version of its original (American) form in the 70s. Rule Number 2: If you're the producer of a hit sitcom don't get rid of main characters. If you make a spinoff, do it with minor characters who occasionally appear, not ones who play a main role in the plot. Although I had no qualms with Mr. Furley as the replacement, I felt that if the Ropers were to get their own show, it should have come after 'Three's Company' went off the air. Kind of like 'Frasier' existing after 'Cheers'. This is connected with Rule Number 3: If you're an executive, and you have a hit sitcom on your network, don't bring in new characters. Lana and Cindy primarily. 'Friends' is a hit because it has always been about the six. People come and go in their lives, but the show keeps its focus on the core. As long as they do this, they should be able to dig themselves out of the occasional two month slump that happens to them every couple of years or so, and continue strongly for the remainder of their run.