That Norman and Audrey were promised to return to Three's Company should The Ropers not make it past one season. The Ropers lasted a little more than one season so Norman and Audrey's contract was up.
I heard that the producers knew that the show was flopping and waited until they went over the season to cancel it. This was to avoid them coming back to the show which would get rid of Don Knotts.

Is this how it happened?

The movie "Behind the Camera: The Unauthorized Story of Three's Company" does mention this, but it's not the best source of information regarding TC. It's hard to tell if they deliberately waited after the end of the agreement to cancel "The Ropers" though. Only the people involved could tell.

Yes I had heard that timeslot change during The Ropers first full season on ABC caused the ratings to decline and Norman Fell has even gone to ABC headquarters in New York to try to get ABC to move the show but they wouldn't. Yes it appears they waited to announce the cancellation so that they wouldn't have to allow The Ropers to return to Three's Company.

I have to say that I would not have been happy to see Mr. Furley kicked out in favor of the Ropers returning. I can see why the producers of the show were happy with how things were with the Suzanne saga over the Mr. Furley established as the new landlord. They didn't want to undergo more changes again.

Depsite the hard feelings, Norman Fell and Audra Lindley returned for an episode in the Spring of 1981.

Hey, work is work.

Had the character of Ralph Furley flopped, I'm sure the Ropers would have been back on TC in a heartbeat. Personally, I'm a much bigger fan of Furley than I am of the Ropers, but I feel bad that Norman Fell and Audra Lindley lost their jobs. They were both terrific actors.

They should have kept the Ropers airing after Three's Company until the show was strong enough to stand on its own. 6 episodes is not enough..

They should have kept the Ropers airing after Three's Company until the show was strong enough to stand on its own. 6 episodes is not enough..
Wow, I thought the Ropers' show lasted a full season. Only 6 episodes?? Wow.

Wow, I thought the Ropers' show lasted a full season. Only 6 episodes?? Wow.
The first season was only 6 episodes. It aired as part of ABC's Tuesday night lineup and it finished the season ranked at #8. ABC then moved it to Saturday nights the following season. It lasted 22 episodes there but it did bad in the ratings and was canceled. That's why Norman and Audrey weren't permitted back on Three's Company...because technically The Ropers lasted more than one season...by 6 episodes. lol

The first season was only 6 episodes. It aired as part of ABC's Tuesday night lineup and it finished the season ranked at #8. ABC then moved it to Saturday nights the following season. It lasted 22 episodes there but it did bad in the ratings and was canceled. That's why Norman and Audrey weren't permitted back on Three's Company...because technically The Ropers lasted more than one season...by 6 episodes. lol
Oh, I see. Thanks for clearing that up, Sonny. Did the Ropers have more episodes than Three's a Crowd?

The producers of both shows treated most of their actors/actresses lousy. Especially Joyce DeWitt in the 8th season and the Ropers.

Oh, I see. Thanks for clearing that up, Sonny. Did the Ropers have more episodes than Three's a Crowd?
You're welcome. Yea , the Ropers ended up having 28 episodes...two of which are syndicated with Three's Company and Three's A Crowd ended up having 22 episodes. I watched the Ropers during the first season but I rarely watched it during the second. It aired opposite Chips and it was paired with an awful sitcom called Detective School. lol

^ yes :)

You're welcome. Yea , the Ropers ended up having 28 episodes...two of which are syndicated with Three's Company and Three's A Crowd ended up having 22 episodes. I watched the Ropers during the first season but I rarely watched it during the second. It aired opposite Chips and it was paired with an awful sitcom called Detective School. lol
I've never even heard of Detective School. :lol: