We all know 3's Company was the trend setter of "Jiggle TV." When the Ropers were spun off, they lacked the jiggle from their main characters. Do you think they should've added a couple of characters with a bit of ...sex appeal?

It was 1979, the era of the sitcom was coming to a close!

It was 1979, the era of the sitcom was coming to a close!

Well, the first era of the sitcom anyway, I think 1984-the end of the 1990s was the second era of the sitcom.

..."THE ROPERS" were to "THREE'S COMPANY", as "GEORGE AND MILDRED" were to the original British version, "MAN ABOUT THE HOUSE"- naturally, you saw a lot less "jiggle" in the spin-off. They were an older couple, with a different set of characters surrounding them. Oh, there was "Jenny" [Louise Vallance] in the second season, trying to attract a more youthful audience, sans "jiggle". But in the end, Saturday nights at 8pm(et) in the fall of 1979 was the "kiss of death" for any ABC series back then....even "THE ROPERS".

The age of situation comedy wasn't "dead" yet, 'dakert'- but around 1982-'83, it sure looked like it. It wasn't until "THE COSBY SHOW" in 1984 that it was "miraculously revived"...

:tv:

It was 1979, the era of the sitcom was coming to a close!


So you think sexing up 'The Ropers' wouldn't have worked?

..."THE ROPERS" were to "THREE'S COMPANY", as "GEORGE AND MILDRED" were to the original British version, "MAN ABOUT THE HOUSE"- naturally, you saw a lot less "jiggle" in the spin-off. They were an older couple, with a different set of characters surrounding them. Oh, there was "Jenny" [Louise Vallance] in the second season, trying to attract a more youthful audience, sans "jiggle". But in the end, Saturday nights at 8pm(et) in the fall of 1979 was the "kiss of death" for any ABC series back then....even "THE ROPERS".

The age of situation comedy wasn't "dead" yet, 'dakert'- but around 1982-'83, it sure looked like it. It wasn't until "THE COSBY SHOW" in 1984 that it was "miraculously revived"...

:tv:

As you may or may not know, George & Mildred was more popular than Man About The House, and only ended because Yootha Joyce (Mildred) died early in 1980. So I think The Ropers failing was largely due to the horrendous timeslot ABC gave it in the fall of '79.

Having seen every episode of The Ropers, while it is not as funny as Three's Company, it was still a good show.

ann had enough JIGGLE for me. LOL

Most of the "jiggle" shows didn't last very long anyway, really. And it was possible to be successful at that time without it; look at Taxi. Sure Marilu was sexy but they didn't play it up much. Barney Miller and Soap were hits without jiggle. The only big jiggle hits were 3's Company, Charlie's Angels and arguably Too Close For Comfort, unless you count Love Boat and Fantasy Island.

The Ropers failed because of lack of faith by the network and I'd say, a fairly weak core of supporting characters.

As you may or may not know, George & Mildred was more popular than Man About The House, and only ended because Yootha Joyce (Mildred) died early in 1980. So I think The Ropers failing was largely due to the horrendous timeslot ABC gave it in the fall of '79.

Having seen every episode of The Ropers, while it is not as funny as Three's Company, it was still a good show.
Yea I agree. What killed the Ropers was CHIPS on NBC. That's what the young people were watching on Saturdays at 8 at that time. I know I did.

All of you have made valid points, but I just don't think the Ropers were strong enough characters to carry their own show. Just my two cents!!

I'm with catlover on this. In the British series, Mrs. Roper was not the same character, in spite of having much of the same dialogue. Mildred Roper could be sharp one second, and then break out in a wry smile the next. When the British series came out, Mildred quickly became a cultural icon. Other cast members of "Man About the House" said that Yootha Joyce was getting more fan mail than any of them. It made perfect sense, when "MATH" ended that they would give her her own show. She could carry it.

Her American counterpart, Helen Roper, was, on the other hand, a much softer character. I enjoyed her in Three's Company, much better than Furley in fact, but she just wasn't strong or charismatic enough to carry her own show.

I don't think the show was geared for the 18-34 demo. Especially when I recall the products that were being advertised during the commercial breaks. I think they knew going in the audience would be mainly 34 and over.

I have the complete DVD sets of "Man About The House" and "Robin's Nest". But, after watching some episodes of "George and Mildred" , I passed on getting the dvd set for that series.

To me, "The Ropers and George & Mildred" were best in small doses.

I thought all the actors were great though.

They had some jiggle, Ann's thighs and breast:lol:

The first few shows of the Ropers had the sex jokes. It was very Threes Company related. The next season all the sex jokes went away and Helen rarely made sex jokes against Stanley. The Ropers were just out of place. Stanley and Helen had nothing to do.

The Ropers being taken off Three's company is like Mr. Bentley like the Willises leaving the Jeffersons. They were only watchable in the presence of the Jeffersons like the Ropers only was watchable in the presence of Jack and the girls

Prior to yesterday (5/1/22) the last post in this thread was 6/28/2011 almost 11 years ago!

The Ropers as characters were not ready to be put into their own series. Norman Fell knew this, he asked for a clause in his contract to allow him to return to the mother series. The Ropers were a blue-collar retired childless couple in their mid50's moving into an upscale condo, imagine pitching that idea without the Three's Company relationship, you'd be laughed out of the room. To make a long story short they had nothing to do, they were all each other had as a result the comedy had to be toned down.

All the changes that occurred on Three's Company benefitted one person at the expense of all the others and that person was John Ritter. Stars more often than not get what they want.

Did this along with Three's a Crowd simply tank because the premises and supporting casts were not as good (or funny) as Three's Company? Three's Company was actually the result of combining two British sitcoms of the 1970s - Man About the House and George and Mildred. When The Ropers spun off, it became more like George and Mildred, with the Jeffrey Tambor and wife couple next door being similar to the next door couple in the original series.

Did this along with Three's a Crowd simply tank because the premises and supporting casts were not as good (or funny) as Three's Company? Three's Company was actually the result of combining two British sitcoms of the 1970s - Man About the House and George and Mildred. When The Ropers spun off, it became more like George and Mildred, with the Jeffrey Tambor and wife couple next door being similar to the next door couple in the original series.

It seemed like a show geared toward senior citizens. Especially with Helen Sister and Mother coming to visit. Glad they was never on Threes company