Just wondering if, in the short time Lana was on the show, if we could have seen her apartment a couple of times. I think it would have been interesting.

Thoughts?

Also, RIP Ann Wedgeworth.

I think there was one episode where Jack was in Lana's apartment when he was trying to talk her into going to Mr. Furley's landlord party. I think he was also changing a light bulb or something.

We never saw her apartment. Hope this helps.

We never saw her apartment. Hope this helps.

I know that. I was just wondering if it would have been a good idea to show it a time or two.

I know that. I was just wondering if it would have been a good idea to show it a time or two.

Oh,then yeah, I agree.

If Lana had been on the show longer we probably would have seen her apartment, like we did with Larry. I would like to have seen it, too.

I imagine it would look a lot like Mr. Furley's, for some reason. But she would probably have one of those revolving beds.

Did they ever show/say what Lana did for a living ?

I vaguely recall it being something like, "wealthy widow".

Did they ever show/say what Lana did for a living ?



In her first episode she said she was "a buyer at Willard's department store."

John Ritter said in an interview that Ann was "so beautiful" that it made NO sense to keep having him reject her so that's why she left.

I couldn't agree more! Any red blooded make would be all over gorgeous Lana if she came on to you like she did to Jack!

In her first episode she said she was "a buyer at Willard's department store."

Yeah, that makes sense.

John Ritter said in an interview that Ann was "so beautiful" that it made NO sense to keep having him reject her so that's why she left.

I couldn't agree more! Any red blooded make would be all over gorgeous Lana if she came on to you like she did to Jack!

It ONLY makes sense in a dopey sitcom way.

You could argue that Jack was so used to being the pursuer, that having somebody who was ready and already sexually-interested in him and aggressive about it, threw him off his game.

It ONLY makes sense in a dopey sitcom way.

You could argue that Jack was so used to being the pursuer, that having somebody who was ready and already sexually-interested in him and aggressive about it, threw him off his game.

Dude, that's ridiculous and you know it and that's why Lana left.

I remember in an interview John Ritter said Jack Tripper said was so horny he was "humping lamp posts"! :lol:

John was trying to say Jack was thinking about & wanting sex ALL the time. So if a gorgeous doll like Lana comes up and offers up sex to you on a silver platter there's NO WAY any straight single man would turn that down! That's why John said the "Jack rejecting Lana" storyline got SO preposterous she had to go.

A good analogy is to picture someone who loves eating. If he didn't have to go out to a grocery store or restaurant but could have his favorite foods delivered to him he certainly wouldn't turn that down!

Dude, that's ridiculous and you know it and that's why Lana left.

I remember in an interview John Ritter said Jack Tripper said was so horny he was "humping lamp posts"! :lol:

John was trying to say Jack was thinking about & wanting sex ALL the time. So if a gorgeous doll like Lana comes up and offers up sex to you on a silver platter there's NO WAY any straight single man would turn that down! That's why John said the "Jack rejecting Lana" storyline got SO preposterous she had to go.



The show was BUILT on preposterous and my suggestion would have worked well enough for a 1970's sitcom.

This is Three's Company we're talking about here, not Mad Men.

The show was BUILT on preposterous and my suggestion would have worked well enough for a 1970's sitcom.

This is Three's Company we're talking about here, not Mad Men.

But John Ritter already said you're wrong. Lana was never about "throwing him off his game". John said when Jack Tripper was so hypersexual he was "humping lamp posts" there was NO way he would keep rejecting a woman as beautiful as Lana so she was written out of the show.

it was no need to see her apt since she didn't have any type of relationship with the three main characters

it was no need to see her apt since she didn't have any type of relationship with the three main characters

Actually that was a storyline they never used! Lana could've asked Jack to fix something in her apartment. Once Jack is in Lana's apartment Lana is all over Jack.

But then Furley walks in! :lol:

Actually that was a storyline they never used! Lana could've asked Jack to fix something in her apartment. Once Jack is in Lana's apartment Lana is all over Jack.

But then Furley walks in! :lol:

But Jack wasn't a handy man so that would not have worked. Even if furley went it would not have made sense because one of the trio would have to be over there. We saw larry's apt because he was jack's friend and furley's apt because he was the landlord. That's why was lana was eliminated:crazy:

But Jack wasn't a handy man so that would not have worked. Even if furley went it would not have made sense because one of the trio would have to be over there. We saw larry's apt because he was jack's friend and furley's apt because he was the landlord. That's why was lana was eliminated:crazy:

Not true. Furley walked in on Jack several times when he was with a girl. Plus Lana didn't actually want Jack to fix something. It would've just been a RUSE to get Jack in her apartment!

That's NOT why was eliminated. I saw an interview with Ritter where he specifically addressed this. He said it was unrealistic to have such a hypersexual guy like Jack Tripper constantly reject such a beautiful woman like Lana so she was written out of the show.

Not true. Furley walked in on Jack several times when he was with a girl. Plus Lana didn't actually want Jack to fix something. It would've just been a RUSE to get Jack in her apartment!

That's NOT why was eliminated. I saw an interview with Ritter where he specifically addressed this. He said it was unrealistic to have such a hypersexual guy like Jack Tripper constantly reject such a beautiful woman like Lana so she was written out of the show.

To me the character didn't fit on the show because she was in the age of the ropers and furley. Which means it was not a need for the character because she was too old to date jack and be friends with one of the girls. She also was not someone who dated furley so it was just no way to create a storyline for her. Jack was hypersexual with younger sexy women not women who was older. I'm near the age of Lana now and I prefer to be with someone who is younger lol

But John Ritter already said you're wrong. Lana was never about "throwing him off his game". John said when Jack Tripper was so hypersexual he was "humping lamp posts" there was NO way he would keep rejecting a woman as beautiful as Lana so she was written out of the show.

There's an ACTUAL episode of the show that supports my theory.

An early one where Jack works at a diner and his attractive female boss (played by Ellen Travolta) is all over him and the whole episode and the comedy of the situation is how Jack is uncomfortable being sexually harassed by her.

To me the character didn't fit on the show because she was in the age of the ropers and furley. Which means it was not a need for the character because she was too old to date jack and be friends with one of the girls. She also was not someone who dated furley so it was just no way to create a storyline for her. Jack was hypersexual with younger sexy women not women who was older. I'm near the age of Lana now and I prefer to be with someone who is younger lol

She was an accomplished entertainer and fun addition to the cast, but I wonder if her inclusion to the show wasn't at least partially intended as a hedge to offset any potential contractual difficulties with Joyce DeWitt and/or Suzanne Somers ?

She was an accomplished entertainer and fun addition to the cast, but I wonder if her inclusion to the show wasn't at least partially intended as a hedge to offset any potential contractual difficulties with Joyce DeWitt and/or Suzanne Somers ?

That is interesting. Do you mean hiring Ann Wedgeworth would have discouraged DeWitt and Somers from seeking more compensation due to a third female role being omitted (when Audra Lindley as Helen Roper left)?

She was an accomplished entertainer and fun addition to the cast, but I wonder if her inclusion to the show wasn't at least partially intended as a hedge to offset any potential contractual difficulties with Joyce DeWitt and/or Suzanne Somers ?

I think she was under contract with ABC and it was more the network was looking for a place to put her, so she was "assigned" to Three's Company. Point being, I don't think it was the producers' decision she was put on the show. That came from an even higher authority than Mickey Ross.

There's an ACTUAL episode of the show that supports my theory.

An early one where Jack works at a diner and his attractive female boss (played by Ellen Travolta) is all over him and the whole episode and the comedy of the situation is how Jack is uncomfortable being sexually harassed by her.

But she wasn't the type he normally went for that's why Jack was uncomfortable. Now that other older lady in the same episode who was going to be his lawyer was HOT and I don't see why Jack would have pushed her away:lol:

She was an accomplished entertainer and fun addition to the cast, but I wonder if her inclusion to the show wasn't at least partially intended as a hedge to offset any potential contractual difficulties with Joyce DeWitt and/or Suzanne Somers ?

No I don't think so because she was added before all of that started in season 4. All the contract stuff started at the beginning of season 5 and she was gone by that time.

I think cbikle AND SitcomHeydayfan are correct about Jack's reaction to Lana.

Jack didn't know how to deal with women who came on strong and it definitely threw him off his game. There was also the fact that Furley was hot for Lana, which meant if Jack hooked up with her he'd be lying to Furley about more than being gay, which would only heighten the risk of him being thrown out.

But I also think it was unrealistic that Jack seemed to be turned off by Lana's advances. There was an entire episode called "The Older Woman" where Jack totally falls for...an older woman. And several times Lana got close Jack seemed like he was barely holding himself back. So it's not out of the question.

The writers admitted they didn't know what to do with Lana's character. Everyone arguing over what Lana's role was and Jack's reactions is right.

I think cbikle AND SitcomHeydayfan are correct about Jack's reaction to Lana.

Jack didn't know how to deal with women who came on strong and it definitely threw him off his game. There was also the fact that Furley was hot for Lana, which meant if Jack hooked up with her he'd be lying to Furley about more than being gay, which would only heighten the risk of him being thrown out.

But I also think it was unrealistic that Jack seemed to be turned off by Lana's advances. There was an entire episode called "The Older Woman" where Jack totally falls for...an older woman. And several times Lana got close Jack seemed like he was barely holding himself back. So it's not out of the question.

The writers admitted they didn't know what to do with Lana's character. Everyone arguing over what Lana's role was and Jack's reactions is right.


I forgot about that older woman, I think that was a season 3 episode

That is interesting. Do you mean hiring Ann Wedgeworth would have discouraged DeWitt and Somers from seeking more compensation due to a third female role being omitted (when Audra Lindley as Helen Roper left)?

Not necessarily something that overt, but more as having Ann ready to fill in (in some capacity), just in case.

I think she was under contract with ABC and it was more the network was looking for a place to put her, so she was "assigned" to Three's Company. Point being, I don't think it was the producers' decision she was put on the show. That came from an even higher authority than Mickey Ross.

That seems plausible too.

Lana, while an interesting character, just wasn't meant to last. There's only so long she could have flirted with Jack before it got old. That was literally her only purpose on the show. So I consider it a blessing in disguise that she was written out as early as she was.

Lana, while an interesting character, just wasn't meant to last. There's only so long she could have flirted with Jack before it got old. That was literally her only purpose on the show. So I consider it a blessing in disguise that she was written out as early as she was.

But that was a dumb decision by the producers to cast her for such a one dimensional role.

They should've had Lana do other things besides drool over Jack. She could've evolved out of her stalking Jack into other activities.

But that was a dumb decision by the producers to cast her for such a one dimensional role.

They should've had Lana do other things besides drool over Jack. She could've evolved out of her stalking Jack into other activities.

Yeah.

Part of the problem with her role is that her job as a "buyer" sounds kinda boring and didn't really lend itself to writing plots around her.

Come to think of it, most of the characters on TC had blah jobs, except for Larry(used car salesman) & Terri(nurse), which didn't really lend themselves to sitcom writing.

Considering that Ann Wedgeworth had a stage background, maybe they should have had Lana as an active member of the local theater community, that way, she & other cast members could have occasionally shown their other stage-related skills (singing/dancing/whatever).

Come to think of it, most of the characters on TC had blah jobs, except for Larry(used car salesman) & Terri(nurse), which didn't really lend themselves to sitcom writing.




Yeah but what about all the flower shop episodes with Janet? Or Chrissy's scenes in her boss's office? Some of the best episodes happened in mundane places. If their jobs had been more glamorous or outrageous the show wouldn't have the same charm of struggling singles trying to make rent.

Fun fact: in the original pilot Jack Tripper's character was an aspiring filmmaker, the Chrissy character was an aspiring model and actress, and the Janet character worked at the DMV (they had different names then). The producers wanted to make the characters more down-to-earth and gave them less interesting jobs.

Yeah but what about all the flower shop episodes with Janet? Or Chrissy's scenes in her boss's office? Some of the best episodes happened in mundane places. If their jobs had been more glamorous or outrageous the show wouldn't have the same charm of struggling singles trying to make rent.

I guess...

Still think they could've done better than "working at a plant shop" or "kitchen cook".

I guess...

Still think they could've done better than "working at a plant shop" or "kitchen cook".

I thought that was the perfect job for Jack, because there's so much potential for physical humor.

What kind of jobs do you think Jack or Janet/Chrissy/Terri should have had? I am just curious to know what you would consider an "interesting" job for them.

I thought that was the perfect job for Jack, because there's so much potential for physical humor.

That's a good point. Off the top of my head, maybe he could be part-time bartender at the Regal Beagle or maybe his thing could be that he's always getting fired or quitting and just goes from one part time job to another ?


What kind of jobs do you think Jack or Janet/Chrissy/Terri should have had? I am just curious to know what you would consider an "interesting" job for them.

For Janet, maybe being a writer and/or reporter for local newspaper?

For Chrissy, not really sure, as I don't really recall knowing what she did in the first place. I guess secretary/receptionist works for her...

Terri's job as nurse works, although I don't really recall the (lazy) writers really doing anything with that.

Something interesting I found in the Wiki entry on Jack Tripper:

Jack E. Tripper is a San Diego native who served in the United States Navy, in which he was a member of the boxing team.

Kinda got downplayed after the pilot.

It would've been an interesting change to the character if he'd continued persuing a career in boxing.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Tripper

Something interesting I found in the Wiki entry on Jack Tripper:



Kinda got downplayed after the pilot.

It would've been an interesting change to the character if he'd continued persuing a career in boxing.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Tripper

LOL..I remember Jack telling Larry in the Biff Bauer episode that he lost EVERY fight in the Navy! :lol:

I thought that was the perfect job for Jack, because there's so much potential for physical humor.

What kind of jobs do you think Jack or Janet/Chrissy/Terri should have had? I am just curious to know what you would consider an "interesting" job for them.

It really was the best job for Jack. Look at all the storylines being a chef gave us!

Terri's job was fine but maybe Janet should've worked in a department store or mall or something. More potential storylines there.

I think she was under contract with ABC and it was more the network was looking for a place to put her, so she was "assigned" to Three's Company. Point being, I don't think it was the producers' decision she was put on the show. That came from an even higher authority than Mickey Ross.

Ann Wedgeworth claimed that she asked to be let out of her contract when she realized her role was being diminished. After a particular episode where she had large part, the cast and producers had a meeting and some people were complaining about the size of her role in the episode.

After that episode, she noticed her part getting smaller and smaller in the scripts so she told the producers she wanted her part to go back to what had been promised or else let her out of her contract so she could do other things. Initially, they promised that they wanted her to stay and that they weren't intentionally writing less for her. But a few days later, they called her manager and said they didn't know what to do with her character and were letting her go. She said that no one acknowledged her last day and that Don Knotts and Richard Kline were shocked to find out she was leaving.

Yeah.

Part of the problem with her role is that her job as a "buyer" sounds kinda boring and didn't really lend itself to writing plots around her.

Come to think of it, most of the characters on TC had blah jobs, except for Larry(used car salesman) & Terri(nurse), which didn't really lend themselves to sitcom writing.

Considering that Ann Wedgeworth had a stage background, maybe they should have had Lana as an active member of the local theater community, that way, she & other cast members could have occasionally shown their other stage-related skills (singing/dancing/whatever).

You can kind of see why they got rid (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NsB7rTATJ0) of Lana (https://whatculture.com/tv/10-characters-famous-tv-shows-swept-carpet?page=10). Her cougar (https://www.reddit.com/r/threescompany/comments/qhxs6q/lana/) character (https://www.reddit.com/r/threescompany/comments/smuv3l/if_lana_was_less_aggressive_would_jack_like_her/) just seemed (https://jacksonupperco.com/2015/06/30/the-ten-best-threes-company-episodes-of-season-four/) kind of creepy and one-note. She was (http://reviewingeverytvshowiown.blogspot.com/2016/08/threes-company-love-thy-neighbor.html) just all around, a poorly written and poorly planned (http://www.tellytalk.net/threads/threes-company.7529/post-180051) character (https://villainess.fandom.com/wiki/Lana_Shields#:~:text=Lana%20Shields%20is%20the%20recurring,Audra%20Lindley%20as%20Helen%20Roper.).

Ann Wedgeworth claimed that she asked to be let out of her contract when she realized her role was being diminished. After a particular episode where she had large part, the cast and producers had a meeting and some people were complaining about the size of her role in the episode.

After that episode, she noticed her part getting smaller and smaller in the scripts so she told the producers she wanted her part to go back to what had been promised or else let her out of her contract so she could do other things. Initially, they promised that they wanted her to stay and that they weren't intentionally writing less for her. But a few days later, they called her manager and said they didn't know what to do with her character and were letting her go. She said that no one acknowledged her last day and that Don Knotts and Richard Kline were shocked to find out she was leaving.
The epsisode was "A Camping we will go." Joyce and Suzanne complained to producers how their roles were diminished. Lana was hysterical in that episode. Her chasing Jack and hiding from Furley was so funny. It was even funnier than the main story line of Larry's date thinking Jack was a Hollywood director.
With Mrs Roper gone, the show needed that sexual tension and sexual innuendo. It worked for awhile. Too bad Joyce and Suzanne were so petty because of one episode where her character got to shine.

A bit of trivia. The camping episode had the censors change the script. Lana was originally supposed to say "Hey Tarzan, can I swing from your vine?" They thought that was just too sexual. So they changed it to tree.
How silly ;)

The epsisode was "A Camping we will go." Joyce and Suzanne complained to producers how their roles were diminished. Lana was hysterical in that episode. Her chasing Jack and hiding from Furley was so funny. It was even funnier than the main story line of Larry's date thinking Jack was a Hollywood director.
With Mrs Roper gone, the show needed that sexual tension and sexual innuendo. It worked for awhile. Too bad Joyce and Suzanne were so petty because of one episode where her character got to shine.

A bit of trivia. The camping episode had the censors change the script. Lana was originally supposed to say "Hey Tarzan, can I swing from your vine?" They thought that was just too sexual. So they changed it to tree.
How silly ;)

I wasn't a Lana fan, but "A Camping We Will Go" was easily her best episode.

I wasn't a Lana fan, but "A Camping We Will Go" was easily her best episode.

She definitely had a bigger role than Janet and Chrissy in that episode

She definitely had a bigger role than Janet and Chrissy in that episode
Which was ok in my book. Variety is good now and then. It shows the egos of actors when for one silly episode they are not the "star." The episode was a success and that is what they should be happy about.