When you watch the first 6 or 7 episodes of season 5, John Ritter and Joyce Dewitt are unable to hide their frustration with all the stuff that is going on during that time. They don't seem to be in to their work, and the look on their faces are clear indicators that it's a lot of stuff going on behind the scenes.


It doesn't start to fade away until later in the season. Which is why this part of season 5 is not easy for me to watch on DVD or syndication.

When you watch the first 6 or 7 episodes of season 5, John Ritter and Joyce Dewitt are unable to hide their frustration with all the stuff that is going on during that time. They don't seem to be in to their work, and the look on their faces are clear indicators that it's a lot of stuff going on behind the scenes.


It doesn't start to fade away until later in the season. Which is why this part of season 5 is not easy for me to watch on DVD or syndication.
Nope you are not the only one(alone). I have notice it too and so have lot of peoples. That has been talked about a lot on here. The tension in the beginning of season 5 is pretty Noticeable especially form John. In Suzanne last on air episode(A hundred dollars a what...) John barley evens look at her(And Joyce as well a little bit)! And Joyce seemed kind of stern(Voice) when she was speaking her lines. Some of those episodes I have to admit make me uncomfortable for some reason to watch. You could see the frustration on their faces.

Nope you are not the only one(alone). I have notice it too and so have lot of peoples. That has been talked about a lot on here. The tension in the beginning of season 5 is pretty Noticeable especially form John. In Suzanne last on air episode(A hundred dollars a what...) John barley evens look after! And Joyce seemed kind of stern(Voice) when she was speaking her lines. Some of those episodes I have to admit make me a tad bit uncomfortable for some reason


The point in the season when it starts to fade is when Jenilee Harrison shows up which was probably confirmation that Suzanne Somers was not going to return.


But it is so clear in the FIRST SIX episodes of that season that both John and Joyce are struggling to get into character

The point in the season when it starts to fade is when Jenilee Harrison shows up which was probably confirmation that Suzanne Somers was not going to return.


But it is so clear in the FIRST SIX episodes of that season that both John and Joyce are struggling to get into character


I think those six episodes really show us though that John and Joyce were a great team. Upstairs, Downstairs, Downstairs feels like the last of the old Three's Company charm, even though A Hundred Dollars a What was the last episode to feature the original trio onscreen together. You could see the tension with all three of them in that episode (it still pulled off nicely). I thought Downhill Chaser was possibly the funniest of the Chrissy-less episodes up until Cindy arrived.

I think those six episodes really show us though that John and Joyce were a great team. Upstairs, Downstairs, Downstairs feels like the last of the old Three's Company charm, even though A Hundred Dollars a What was the last episode to feature the original trio onscreen together. You could see the tension with all three of them in that episode (it still pulled off nicely). I thought Downhill Chaser was possibly the funniest of the Chrissy-less episodes up until Cindy arrived.

Yeah it didn't start to wear off until Cindy arrived. But those first 5 episodes are so hard to watch

I basically watched the whole series recently while I recovered from surgery and I TOTALLY noticed the tension in that season. They all looked.... tired. Bad. But I thought their acting was still great. I read an article and Joyce admitted that in that season you could see it and they knew the 'dust would settle'.....

I basically watched the whole series recently while I recovered from surgery and I TOTALLY noticed the tension in that season. They all looked.... tired. Bad. But I thought their acting was still great. I read an article and Joyce admitted that in that season you could see it and they knew the 'dust would settle'.....


Especially in those first 7 eps

I'm going to have to watch these first 5-7 episodes again, as I didn't notice anything like the rest of you have mentioned regarding Ritter and DeWitt's thoughts on Somers.

I did enjoy those episodes though, I prefer them over most of Season 8.

I'm going to have to watch these first 5-7 episodes again, as I didn't notice anything like the rest of you have mentioned regarding Ritter and DeWitt's thoughts on Somers.

I did enjoy those episodes though, I prefer them over most of Season 8.


It was hard to enjoy those first 5 or 6 eps because you can tell John and Joyce are trying their hardest to get into their characters but they didn't do a good job of hiding their frustration.


It didn't start to fade until the Cindy character was added and that's probably because they figured that was a sign that Suzanne would be let go from the show

When you watch the first 6 or 7 episodes of season 5, John Ritter and Joyce Dewitt are unable to hide their frustration with all the stuff that is going on during that time. They don't seem to be in to their work, and the look on their faces are clear indicators that it's a lot of stuff going on behind the scenes.
In the next few days the 5th season reruns here in Italy: I'll keep my eyes open to catch these nervous behaviors that I never noticed before...

In the next few days the 5th season reruns here in Italy: I'll keep my eyes open to catch these nervous behaviors that I never noticed before...


Not nervous behavior, it was the obvious look of how upset John and Joyce were and how they struggled to get into their roles because of Suzanne not being on the set.

Not nervous behavior, it was the obvious look of how upset John and Joyce were and how they struggled to get into their roles because of Suzanne not being on the set.
Yes, I understand ... the problem is my "englitalian"! :(

Yes, I understand ... the problem is my "englitalian"! :(

I have notice the Tension in the first 5 or 6 Episodes of seasson 5. Those are not favorite to watch from that year. Joyce did better at hiding it but you will see that she doesn't make eye contact with Chirssy for for long and barley looks at her same with John(They both tried to avoid Eye contact as much as possible. In Suzanne last epiosde with John and Joyce (A Hundred Dollars a what...) Pay close attention to John Rittern (Jack) reaction when Suzanne Chrissy on camera. He look agitated when she comes on and barley looks at her and it verym quick. John noticably looks agitated with Suzanne Somers especially when they have any dialogue together in this episode.

I had notice some small tension at teh end of season 4 But I tihnk that had to do more with the characters then the Acotrs.

I watched the series front to back, and I never noticed this, I have to watch it again.

I saw one of those "behind the scenes" things like "True Hollywood Story" or whatever and I think they mentioned something about some real-life tensions that were mounting between Ritter and Somers.Maybe creative differences.And as we all very well know here,this matter has come up on more than a couple of sets.Fortunately,similar differences didn't dispel the magic of "All In The Family" as Norman Lear was generally very accepting of most of Carroll O'Connor's alternative ideations.The same thing can happen at ANY workplace,really...

When you watch the first 6 or 7 episodes of season 5, John Ritter and Joyce Dewitt are unable to hide their frustration with all the stuff that is going on during that time. They don't seem to be in to their work, and the look on their faces are clear indicators that it's a lot of stuff going on behind the scenes.


It doesn't start to fade away until later in the season. Which is why this part of season 5 is not easy for me to watch on DVD or syndication.


What I noticed is that Joyce seems nervous, especially around Suzanne. John seems to be doing fine but in scenes with Suzanne he doesn't look at her for very long, like he's trying to avoid eye contact. There's some tension there, but I don't find it real obvious.

I do remember hearing John and Joyce talk about the tension in those first few episodes but they sure as hell hid them well because I've seen those episodes dozens of time and never noticed, the same with season 8 when Priscilla Barnes was struggling to get through the behind the scenes drama.

I do remember hearing John and Joyce talk about the tension in those first few episodes but they sure as hell hid them well because I've seen those episodes dozens of time and never noticed, the same with season 8 when Priscilla Barnes was struggling to get through the behind the scenes drama.


They didn't hide it well which is why the beginning of season 5 is not fun to watch

I'm sorry but I re-watched the only two episodes from season 5 that actually had Chrissy interact with Jack and Janet in them before the episode with Cindy and I don't see instances where John or Joyce felt uncomfortable or tense in scenes with Suzanne.

I mean honestly I've seen these episodes since I was a kid recording them in the days of VHS that I wouldn't be able to tell.

I'm sorry but I re-watched the only two episodes from season 5 that actually had Chrissy interact with Jack and Janet in them before the episode with Cindy and I don't see instances where John or Joyce felt uncomfortable or tense in scenes with Suzanne.

I mean honestly I've seen these episodes since I was a kid recording them in the days of VHS that I wouldn't be able to tell.


I'm talking about the episodes without Chrissy in them which is when you can tell they are upset because they had to memorize her lines and their lines too

I'm talking about the episodes without Chrissy in them which is when you can tell they are upset because they had to memorize her lines and their lines too


Ima have to go back and watch season five again to look for this....

Ima have to go back and watch season five again to look for this....

Its really obvious in the skiing episode

[QUOTE=TVFactFan]When you watch the first 6 or 7 episodes of season 5, John Ritter and Joyce Dewitt are unable to hide their frustration with all the stuff that is going on during that time. They don't seem to be in to their work, and the look on their faces are clear indicators that it's a lot of stuff going on behind the scenes.


It doesn't start to fade away until later in the season. Which is why this part of season 5 is not easy for me to watch on DVD or syndication.[/QUOTE

I think alot of Chemistry was changing Don Knotts and also other talents. The actress that played Cindy (don't know her name) no offense really didn't have the spark that the Ropers or suzanne had. Joyce and John seemed under alot of pressure to keep the foundation going. Suzanne did a great job as Chrissy Snow. I think the producers should of done the spin off with her and Jack Tripper on Threes a crowd.

[QUOTE=TVFactFan]When you watch the first 6 or 7 episodes of season 5, John Ritter and Joyce Dewitt are unable to hide their frustration with all the stuff that is going on during that time. They don't seem to be in to their work, and the look on their faces are clear indicators that it's a lot of stuff going on behind the scenes.


It doesn't start to fade away until later in the season. Which is why this part of season 5 is not easy for me to watch on DVD or syndication.[/QUOTE

I think alot of Chemistry was changing Don Knotts and also other talents. The actress that played Cindy (don't know her name) no offense really didn't have the spark that the Ropers or suzanne had. Joyce and John seemed under alot of pressure to keep the foundation going. Suzanne did a great job as Chrissy Snow. I think the producers should of done the spin off with her and Jack Tripper on Threes a crowd.


If she was on Three's a Crowd it would not have been a spinoff, just Three's Company without Janet

I'm talking about the episodes without Chrissy in them which is when you can tell they are upset because they had to memorize her lines and their lines too

Totally agreed...
PERFECT EXAMPLE...the tag scene in "A Hundred Dollars A What"
when Chrissy was reciting her card to Jack for her mom. Look at John & Joyce's face

not so much in Downhill Chaser though, or Upstairs, Downstairs, Downstairs

I'm talking about the episodes without Chrissy in them which is when you can tell they are upset because they had to memorize her lines and their lines too


Now that you say this, yes, you can see in Joyce and John's performances in the episodes without Suzanne that they seem to be under a lot of pressure. Like the Downhill Chaser episode.

Given the circumstances, John and Joyce did a great job. You could tell change was needed when Suzanne was not showing up. As the season progressed, you could tell Cindy was just "there" as a background character. It makes you wonder if these episodes, such as "The Not So Great Imposter" and "Teacher's Pet" were written prior to Suzanne's absences on the set, as they really feature John and Joyce prominently.

Just goes to show how good John Ritter and Joye DeWitt were having to hide their frustration.

Yeah this is a great observation. It was clearly obvious how frustrated they were in the episode about the hooker.

While I enjoyed Chrissy on the show her character started to evolve, but in a bad way. Her character was actually smarter in the earlier seasons. Because of that a lot of the Chrissy hokes felt too forced, especially in season 4.

When you watch the first 6 or 7 episodes of season 5, John Ritter and Joyce Dewitt are unable to hide their frustration with all the stuff that is going on during that time. They don't seem to be in to their work, and the look on their faces are clear indicators that it's a lot of stuff going on behind the scenes.

I didn't really notice. But the skiing episode was the best of the bunch. I really thought John Ritter was going to break his leg where Janet was teaching him how to turn on skis. I was wincing in pain! How he didn't break it I don't know.

They had to step up their game just as a duo and I think the show got on just fine. The writers were getting lazy in Season 4 with all the Chrissy being dumb jokes. With no Chrissy to fall back on the writers had to step up their game and they and the actors delivered.

I didn't really notice. But the skiing episode was the best of the bunch. I really thought John Ritter was going to break his leg where Janet was teaching him how to turn on skis. I was wincing in pain! How he didn't break it I don't know.

They had to step up their game just as a duo and I think the show got on just fine. The writers were getting lazy in Season 4 with all the Chrissy being dumb jokes. With no Chrissy to fall back on the writers had to step up their game and they and the actors delivered.


watch the first 8 eps of season 4 and then watch the first 8 eps of season 5 and you will see what I mean

I noticed it the most in "A Hundred Dollars a What?" when the trio performed together for the last time.

By the time that episode was shot, Suzanne had missed a couple of sessions and the writing was on the wall.

For most of the episode John Ritter is spinning most of Jack's lines with Chrissy with an extra-irritated and mean twist. There's not much affection to soften it, either, as there is in many other episodes where Jack is frustrated with Chrissy.

Also, John Ritter hardly looks at Suzanne during that episode. They have dialogue but usually he is looking away.

Joyce does the best job of hiding any frustration, but there's still some tension. As far as backstage, apparently as soon as John and Joyce carried Chrissy out of the conference room and out of frame, they immediately dropped her and walked away.

I can't say I notice any frustration in other episodes, but definitely in that one.

I noticed it the most in "A Hundred Dollars a What?" when the trio performed together for the last time.

By the time that episode was shot, Suzanne had missed a couple of sessions and the writing was on the wall.

For most of the episode John Ritter is spinning most of Jack's lines with Chrissy with an extra-irritated and mean twist. There's not much affection to soften it, either, as there is in many other episodes where Jack is frustrated with Chrissy.

Also, John Ritter hardly looks at Suzanne during that episode. They have dialogue but usually he is looking away.

Joyce does the best job of hiding any frustration, but there's still some tension. As far as backstage, apparently as soon as John and Joyce carried Chrissy out of the conference room and out of frame, they immediately dropped her and walked away.

I can't say I notice any frustration in other episodes, but definitely in that one.Watched that episode again, still can't see it. However I did notice Suzanne stopped flailing her legs after John and Joyce carried her out and they went out of frame. Joyce still seems like she's playing it naturally, but yeah John's tone with Chrissy is definitely one of annoyance.