How could they return back? The apartment building already had a landlord so where would they live? With Jack and the girls? lol And how would they explain the Ropers leaving their nice big house to come back to live inside in a apartment? The Close out of those characters was obvious since they replaced them with a new landlord. So the Ropers had to success like the Jeffersons had to because there was not going to be a storyline that made since having them come back lol

They never mentioned where the Ropers were staying when they returned for that 1 episode did they?

Maybe it was assumed they still lived at their condo. Just because their show ended doesn't mean they couldn't still live there for the purposes of this episode!

They never mentioned where the Ropers were staying when they returned for that 1 episode did they?

Maybe it was assumed they still lived at their condo. Just because their show ended doesn't mean they couldn't still live there for the purposes of this episode!

How would they be regular characters? Yeah an occassional appearance but it could never be like how it was before they left. Plus they were only seen that episode because Mr. Furley went away for the weekend

Once Don Knotts signed on and was accepted by the public it was all over for The Ropers.

Once Don Knotts signed on and was accepted by the public it was all over for The Ropers.

Basically so they should have known it was no coming back after season 3 of Three's Company because at that time it was no landlord. Remember Mr. Furley didnt come on until season 4 so if the ropers had stunk up in the ratings during that first season then it would have been a clear path to come back.


That's like leaving a job and asking the boss can you come back if the new job dont work out?:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

How would they be regular characters? Yeah an occassional appearance but it could never be like how it was before they left. Plus they were only seen that episode because Mr. Furley went away for the weekend

I never said they'd be regular characters. Once Don Knotts signed on they were done at TC.

I just meant for the sake of the storyline it could be assumed they still lived at their condo they bought when they left TC. I forgot they stayed at Furley's apartment when he was away.

They didn't mention if the Ropers moved anywhere or still lived at their condo right?

I never said they'd be regular characters. Once Don Knotts signed on they were done at TC.

I just meant for the sake of the storyline it could be assumed they still lived at their condo they bought when they left TC. I forgot they stayed at Furley's apartment when he was away.

They didn't mention if the Ropers moved anywhere or still lived at their condo right?

Nope they didnt mention it at all. So I guess we assumed they lived where they were during season 4 of TC

Not that there was no way but it would have taken some pretty creative fiction to write them back in.

Maybe Furley could have hired Roper to do some maintenance work around the building. Jack said Furley made Roper look like Thomas Edison, lol.

I agree, though, it would have been too crowded a cast. If the Ropers had come back they would have been intermittent recurring characters at best (like Larry was in the first few seasons), not regulars.

Maybe Furley could have hired Roper to do some maintenance work around the building. Jack said Furley made Roper look like Thomas Edison, lol.

I agree, though, it would have been too crowded a cast. If the Ropers had come back they would have been intermittent recurring characters at best (like Larry was in the first few seasons), not regulars.


yup extremely crowded. But why did it rank so high in season 1 and not season 2? The cast was the same. i think it aired after threes company in season 1 i have to confirm later

yup extremely crowded. But why did it rank so high in season 1 and not season 2? The cast was the same. i think it aired after threes company in season 1 i have to confirm later

Yup, The Ropers followed TC in Season 1. At the start of Season 2 the day and time was changed to the TV graveyard shift, 8 p.m. on Saturday night.

Yup, The Ropers followed TC in Season 1. At the start of Season 2 the day and time was changed to the TV graveyard shift, 8 p.m. on Saturday night.

Just checked and it actually aired after Taxi on Tuesday nights at 10pm during season 1. Since the last episode of Season 3 for Three's Company has never been verified, I am going to assume the only Ropers episode that aired after TC was the first episode on March 13, 1979. Also since the producers wanted to give more attention to the Ropers, there were no new episodes of TC until after the Ropers completed their 1st season.

After the 3/13 episode of TC, there wasnt another new episode until 5/8/79

You're right. I looked it up in Chris Mann's book and he said the TC lead-in to the Ropers' first episode was a huge hit and I read it too fast and thought he meant the Ropers regularly aired after TC. My bad.

You're right. I looked it up in Chris Mann's book and he said the TC lead-in to the Ropers' first episode was a huge hit and I read it too fast and thought he meant the Ropers regularly aired after TC. My bad.

So now we know the reason wasn't saturday night, it was the fact that the Ropers was the only TC link on TV at the time.

So now we know the reason wasn't saturday night, it was the fact that the Ropers was the only TC link on TV at the time.

I think it was a bit of both. The Ropers' first season ran again in the summer of '79 and did well, and it was only after the time change in the fall that the ratings fell big time. Though the producers could have moved the show from Saturday night they refused. Norman Fell has said that the new time slot was the show's death knell.

In everything I've read about The Ropers there is always the suggestion that the producers ran out the clock on the spinoff to contractually prevent Fell and Lindley returning to TC. I think it was clear from the start that the spinoff didn't have the same magic as TC and the producers created an excuse (the time slot) to officially kill it, which did the trick.

I think it was a bit of both. The Ropers' first season ran again in the summer of '79 and did well, and it was only after the time change in the fall that the ratings fell big time. Though the producers could have moved the show from Saturday night they refused. Norman Fell has said that the new time slot was the show's death knell.

In everything I've read about The Ropers there is always the suggestion that the producers ran out the clock on the spinoff to contractually prevent Fell and Lindley returning to TC. I think it was clear from the start that the spinoff didn't have the same magic as TC and the producers created an excuse (the time slot) to officially kill it, which did the trick.

I would have watched the Ropers every weekend if I was around in 1979 so I could sexy ANN:)

I don't think they would have ever had Mr Furley AND the Ropers on the show at the same time.... there'd be no point.

I liked the Ropers in the early episodes.... but even when they make their one visit, their characters seemed "out of place" for some reason. They and Jack and Janet just didn't have the same chemistry.

Unpopular opinion

I think the Roper characters ran their course. A great thing about TC was that it made a reasonable transition from the late 70s into the early 80s. They needed Furley to make that transition. His character was quirky of being this ultra-macho man; that tried to teach Jack to be a mean love machine.:D

Now if Furley really wasn't meant to stay then I think only one of them would have returned. Do you choose lovable Helen or grumpy Stanley?

I think Mr. Roper makes a better foil to play against Jack and the girls.

I think the Ropers got a raw deal and both of them knew it.

I liked the Ropers in the early episodes.... but even when they make their one visit, their characters seemed "out of place" for some reason. They and Jack and Janet just didn't have the same chemistry.

You're right, it was different when they returned for "Night of the Ropers" and didn't feel the same. When the Ropers were on the show regularly the whole ensemble felt like a family, but once Furley came on and Suzanne left it was a totally different vibe.

Also the trio were getting older and by the time that episode aired, so the Ropers felt less like parents and the trio felt less like children. Kind of sad thinking of it that way.

The producer never explained why he wanted the next lanlord to be like Don knotts

You're right, it was different when they returned for "Night of the Ropers" and didn't feel the same. When the Ropers were on the show regularly the whole ensemble felt like a family, but once Furley came on and Suzanne left it was a totally different vibe.

Also the trio were getting older and by the time that episode aired, so the Ropers felt less like parents and the trio felt less like children. Kind of sad thinking of it that way.



Yes, and it just seemed like there was more "hostility" between the characters in Night of the Ropers..... I always thought Jack had a sweet relationship with Helen, BUT if I remember right, he was sorta rude to her in that episode. Also When they try to introduce Cindy to the Ropers, Stanley replying with, "Who cares!" I thought was out of character... I mean I KNOW Stanley was always kinda grumpy, but I think he'd usually meet any of their friends with semi civility in the old days.

It was cheaper to have just Mr. Furley. That's pretty much the reality of the situation. We all know that the producers were pretty cut throat people with how they treated Suzanne and how they screwed Norman Fell. Viewers liked Mr. Furley so the Ropers were finished. If Don Knotts was not working out then I am sure they would have got rid of Mr.furley like they got rid of The Cindy character and they could have brought the ropers back.

It was cheaper to have just Mr. Furley. That's pretty much the reality of the situation. We all know that the producers were pretty cut throat people with how they treated Suzanne and how they screwed Norman Fell. Viewers liked Mr. Furley so the Ropers were finished. If Don Knotts was not working out then I am sure they would have got rid of Mr.furley like they got rid of The Cindy character and they could have brought the ropers back.

it still would be nice to know how they got them to guest star in that one episode after being told they couldnt come back

I would have watched the Ropers every weekend if I was around in 1979 so I could sexy ANN:)

Yes, she was cute. I'm surprised she totally disappeared after the Ropers! I thought she'd pop up somewhere noticeable.

Yes, she was cute. I'm surprised she totally disappeared after the Ropers! I thought she'd pop up somewhere noticeable.

she is still acting and on a crime TV series called Dirty John as a doctor that airs on Bravo

The producer never explained why he wanted the next lanlord to be like Don knotts

Probably because Don Knotts is one of the funniest comic actors in TV HISTORY!!

Probably because Don Knotts is one of the funniest comic actors in TV HISTORY!!

So was that saying Norman Fell wasnt funny?

So was that saying Norman Fell wasnt funny?

He was funny but he was no Don Knotts who is a comedy legend!

He was funny but he was no Don Knotts who is a comedy legend!

Not his character on TC. Mr. Furley was bullied by his brother, viewed as a joke by the trio, and had a non-existent love life:lol::lol::lol:

Usually when sitcoms have a falling out behind the scenes. After a new replacement, it's pretty much cancelled. Not with 3's. They totally jump started everything with Don Knotts and Priscilla Barnes. John Ritter was IT all the way through. Seasons 7 & 8 were hilarious. Never forget.

:lol:

Yikes.
The Ropers vs Ralph Furley?
Hmmm.

No answer. Too hard to do it.

Not his character on TC. Mr. Furley was bullied by his brother, viewed as a joke by the trio, and had a non-existent love life:lol::lol::lol:

But Knotts was HILARIOUS doing all that! :lol:

Remember Knotts was KNOWN for playing the FOOL! He was the bumbling Deputy on Andy Griffith! :lol:

I agree Don Knotts was a great replacement for the ropers and the show was still funny. But I don't agree about Priscilla Barnes. I don't think I laughed at anything she ever did. She wasn't happy and asked to leave after 3 episodes. Even the producers admitted that they could not replace Suzanne. The chemistry of the 3 leads was never the same. They survived but that was due to John Ritter.

Not a Furley fan at all. Didn't like him in Andy Griffith either.

Usually when sitcoms have a falling out behind the scenes. After a new replacement, it's pretty much cancelled. Not with 3's. They totally jump started everything with Don Knotts and Priscilla Barnes. John Ritter was IT all the way through. Seasons 7 & 8 were hilarious. Never forget.

:lol:

4 and 7

I agree Don Knotts was a great replacement for the ropers and the show was still funny. But I don't agree about Priscilla Barnes. I don't think I laughed at anything she ever did. She wasn't happy and asked to leave after 3 episodes. Even the producers admitted that they could not replace Suzanne. The chemistry of the 3 leads was never the same. They survived but that was due to John Ritter.

I never heard them say that. Quite the opposite actually. Many felt Chrissy's dumb blonde act was getting old and stale! Even John & Suzanne herself referenced that!

There's NO WAY this show lasts 8 years with Chrissy's stupid blonde act! The addition of Cindy & the Terri was a well needed breath of fresh air!

I never heard them say that. Quite the opposite actually. Many felt Chrissy's dumb blonde act was getting old and stale! Even John & Suzanne herself referenced that!

There's NO WAY this show lasts 8 years with Chrissy's stupid blonde act! The addition of Cindy & the Terri was a well needed breath of fresh air!

It was nothing funny she did the terri character was just there

I never heard them say that. Quite the opposite actually. Many felt Chrissy's dumb blonde act was getting old and stale! Even John & Suzanne herself referenced that!

There's NO WAY this show lasts 8 years with Chrissy's stupid blonde act! The addition of Cindy & the Terri was a well needed breath of fresh air!

There are interviews on YouTube with some of the producers etc. And even the ones that had problems with the Suzanne situation admit the onscreen chemistry was never as good after Suzanne was gone. That's why Cindy was replaced, it wasn't working. The set may have been a calmer set and everyone may have been getting along but that is not connected to screen chemistry. I believe people kept tuning in for John Ritter. Not because Priscilla Barnes was a laugh riot. Terri to me filled a spot. But I never laughed at anything she ever did . John Ritter was always funny.

There are interviews on YouTube with some of the producers etc. And even the ones that had problems with the Suzanne situation admit the onscreen chemistry was never as good after Suzanne was gone. That's why Cindy was replaced, it wasn't working. The set may have been a calmer set and everyone may have been getting along but that is not connected to screen chemistry. I believe people kept tuning in for John Ritter. Not because Priscilla Barnes was a laugh riot. Terri to me filled a spot. But I never laughed at anything she ever did . John Ritter was always funny.

Janet wasnt funny either:lol:

I never heard them say that. Quite the opposite actually. Many felt Chrissy's dumb blonde act was getting old and stale! Even John & Suzanne herself referenced that!

There's NO WAY this show lasts 8 years with Chrissy's stupid blonde act! The addition of Cindy & the Terri was a well needed breath of fresh air!


^^

I'll co-sign this post. Even the folks at the old Television Without Pity site thought the show would not have made it 8 seasons with Chrissy still there.

There are interviews on YouTube with some of the producers etc. And even the ones that had problems with the Suzanne situation admit the onscreen chemistry was never as good after Suzanne was gone. That's why Cindy was replaced, it wasn't working. The set may have been a calmer set and everyone may have been getting along but that is not connected to screen chemistry. I believe people kept tuning in for John Ritter. Not because Priscilla Barnes was a laugh riot. Terri to me filled a spot. But I never laughed at anything she ever did . John Ritter was always funny.

Suzanne sure as hell didn't make you laugh! She had NO comic training! One of the execs thought she looked hot as a guest star on Starsky and Hutch so THAT is how she got the job!

She was simply another pretty face & NOT funny. If anything Terri had an even prettier face!

^^

I'll co-sign this post. Even the folks at the old Television Without Pity site thought the show would not have made it 8 seasons with Chrissy still there.

EXACTLY! Thank you! :wave:

Chrissy's dumb blonde act was getting nauseating by Season 3 so I can't even believe she made it to Season 5!

Suzanne sure as hell didn't make you laugh! She had NO comic training! One of the execs thought she looked hot as a guest star on Starsky and Hutch so THAT is how she got the job!

She was simply another pretty face & NOT funny. If anything Terri had an even prettier face!

Suzanne got some of the biggest laughs on the show. I am watching her seasons now. Can't deny her popularity. Everyone has their own idea of funny but the evidence is there to see. And the popularity was there.

I’m doing a rewatch now , and the best seasons were the first three with the original cast. Not that the subsequent seasons didn’t have good episodes - there are some good ones throughout the run. But the early years were the most consistent and the chemistry among the cast was the best. Each subsequent cast change weakened the show.

I think Chrissy/Suzanne was funny in the first few years on the show. I couldn’t stand what they did to her character in her last year or two on the show. But Terri was completely unfunny. She was comedy poison.

Suzanne got some of the biggest laughs on the show. I am watching her seasons now. Can't deny her popularity. Everyone has their own idea of funny but the evidence is there to see. And the popularity was there.

Biggest Laughs doing what?

I never heard them say that. Quite the opposite actually. Many felt Chrissy's dumb blonde act was getting old and stale! Even John & Suzanne herself referenced that!

There's NO WAY this show lasts 8 years with Chrissy's stupid blonde act! The addition of Cindy & the Terri was a well needed breath of fresh air!

You Said:

There's NO WAY this show lasts 8 years with Chrissy's stupid blonde act! The addition of Cindy & the Terri was a well needed breath of fresh air!

First I don't agree with your classifying Somers portrayal of Chrissy as a dumb blond act. Do you consider Gracie Allen's character a dumb blond act. It's certainly within your rights to enjoy the characters of Cindy and Terri more than Chrissy, but the assertion that the show would not have lasted 8 years with Chrissy (Somers) is an opinion based on evidence that strongly disputes that opinion.

Season 5 was the beginning of the end of the Chrissy character, due to the protracted contract dispute the role was greatly reduced much to the dismay of the audience. The series lost 4 million viewers that season (fact not opinion), and while rebounding a bit in season 6 never came close to attaining the level the series was at the first four seasons. Season 7 the audience numbers were again off and by season 8 the series had 10 million fewer viewers than season 4 (the final season the Chrissy character was fully engaged in the series). Priscilla Barnes was very unhappy on the show and indicated in the past that she was going to leave the series had it been renewed. I don't blame her a bit, her role was essentially a blond version of Janet, that type of character duplication did little to help the comedy or the career of Priscilla Barnes. As we all know (again fact not your opinion) Cindi received a very reduced role in season 6 and then disappeared, so much for fresh air.

Suzanne got some of the biggest laughs on the show. I am watching her seasons now. Can't deny her popularity. Everyone has their own idea of funny but the evidence is there to see. And the popularity was there.

The overwhelming majority of the laughs came from John Ritter's physical comedy & hilarious antics NOT Suzanne.

She was popular as a "sex symbol". Suzanne even called it "Jiggle TV"! Yet Suzanne has never said she's funny because she's NOT!

You Said:

There's NO WAY this show lasts 8 years with Chrissy's stupid blonde act! The addition of Cindy & the Terri was a well needed breath of fresh air!

First I don't agree with your classifying Somers portrayal of Chrissy as a dumb blond act. Do you consider Gracie Allen's character a dumb blond act. It's certainly within your rights to enjoy the characters of Cindy and Terri more than Chrissy, but the assertion that the show would not have lasted 8 years with Chrissy (Somers) is an opinion based on evidence that strongly disputes that opinion.

Season 5 was the beginning of the end of the Chrissy character, due to the protracted contract dispute the role was greatly reduced much to the dismay of the audience. The series lost 4 million viewers that season (fact not opinion), and while rebounding a bit in season 6 never came close to attaining the level the series was at the first four seasons. Season 7 the audience numbers were again off and by season 8 the series had 10 million fewer viewers than season 4 (the final season the Chrissy character was fully engaged in the series). Priscilla Barnes was very unhappy on the show and indicated in the past that she was going to leave the series had it been renewed. I don't blame her a bit, her role was essentially a blond version of Janet, that type of character duplication did little to help the comedy or the career of Priscilla Barnes. As we all know (again fact not your opinion) Cindi received a very reduced role in season 6 and then disappeared, so much for fresh air.


If you are going to point out that the show lost 4 million the 5th season (22.4) from the 4th season (26.3) then it should be noted that season 4 lost 4 million viewers from season 3 (30.3) . So the show started it's ratings downfall while Chrissy was still there. It's funny how this never gets mentioned. At least, season six brought some viewers back.

I can't think of a better example of a "dumb blonde act" than Chrissy Snow ala season 3 & 4 .

If you are going to point out that the show lost 4 million the 5th season (22.4) from the 4th season (26.3) then it should be noted that season 4 lost 4 million viewers from season 3 (30.3) . So the show started it's ratings downfall while Chrissy was still there. It's funny how this never gets mentioned. At least, season six brought some viewers back.

Im surprised it was in the top 5 the year Terri joined

If you are going to point out that the show lost 4 million the 5th season (22.4) from the 4th season (26.3) then it should be noted that season 4 lost 4 million viewers from season 3 (30.3) . So the show started it's ratings downfall while Chrissy was still there. It's funny how this never gets mentioned. At least, season six brought some viewers back.

You Said:

" So the show started it's ratings downfall while Chrissy was still there. It's funny how this never gets mentioned'.

The first four years the show was on with Chrissy as a fulltime character it ranked 11,3,2,2 in the season's ratings. On top of that the show lost two main characters at the end of season 3. You can't blame that decision on Somers. The core 5 characters worked well together, the Ropers were very important to that series, and as much as I love Don Knotts, I thought the show was much stronger with the Ropers. In addition to that what I was responding to this statement:

"There's NO WAY this show lasts 8 years with Chrissy's stupid blonde act! The addition of Cindy & the Terri was a well needed breath of fresh air!"

No evidence was presented to support this assertion, no evidence whatsoever. The show dropped out of the top 3 the season her role was reduced. After a partial rebound in season 6, the show dropped again in 7 and was out of the top 30 by season 8. Again, all the evidence is the other way. The Cindy character was dropped after season 6 and Priscilla Barnes was unhappy on the show and wanted out. The series was not working well for the audience which was tuning out and for several main cast members. The two exceptions were Knotts, who by this point in his career was grateful for the work and Ritter who had succeeded in making the show all about his character.

To conclude, if the show had continued with the core 5 characters and the original structure I think it would have been a far better series and more successful rating wise.

And so? The show carried on just fine with Ralph, Cindy and Terri . And did in my opinion some of the best episodes of the show.

And so? The show carried on just fine with Ralph, Cindy and Terri . And did in my opinion some of the best episodes of the show.

Season 7 was very good

And so? The show carried on just fine with Ralph, Cindy and Terri . And did in my opinion some of the best episodes of the show.

The Cindy, Terri, & Furley years were the BEST years of the show hands down! FAR better than the first 4 years although the first 4 years had some very good episodes but that was due to Jack NOT Chrissy!

Here's what the author of the Three's Company book, Chris Mann , had to say in a online interview which is interesting:

As much as I loved the original ensemble, "Three's Company" especially brightened my world and made me laugh from the core of my being during the Priscilla Barnes years. Though the media has always been obsessed with the original trio, Priscilla, in my opinion, knocked it out of the park as an actress and brought just the right level of heartfelt, zany chemistry to the trio. Even though she's stated her years on the show were not happy ones (given her dealings with one producer in particular), I hope she knows and feels how much she's appreciated for adding light and laughter to the lives of viewers. At the risk of sounding hokier than the hokiest hokey-man -- and, to quote, Mr. Furley, oh, what the hell -- Jack, Janet and Terri had a very special place in my heart.



And while the Ropers were brilliant, Don Knotts as Mr. Furley was and will forever be riotously, fall-down funny. Dear God, is that man hilarious! Add Richard Kline -- like John, a really great and talented guy with spot-on comic timing and a mean ability to comically cross-dress -- to the mix, and you've got the perfect farce comedy ensemble.

And please let me mention Jenilee Harrison and Ann Wedgeworth, too. Though their tenures with the show were shorter, their comic contributions were very significant, especially given the pressures they faced in essentially replacing Suzanne and Audra,

Mann has stated that his favorite Three's Company episodes were " Up In The Air" and "Jack Tattoo" .

The Cindy, Terri, & Furley years were the BEST years of the show hands down! FAR better than the first 4 years although the first 4 years had some very good episodes but that was due to Jack NOT Chrissy!

I agree because season 1 and the first half of 2 was so/so. It didnt take off until season 3

Here's what the author of the Three's Company book, Chris Mann , had to say in a online interview which is interesting:

As much as I loved the original ensemble, "Three's Company" especially brightened my world and made me laugh from the core of my being during the Priscilla Barnes years. Though the media has always been obsessed with the original trio, Priscilla, in my opinion, knocked it out of the park as an actress and brought just the right level of heartfelt, zany chemistry to the trio. Even though she's stated her years on the show were not happy ones (given her dealings with one producer in particular), I hope she knows and feels how much she's appreciated for adding light and laughter to the lives of viewers. At the risk of sounding hokier than the hokiest hokey-man -- and, to quote, Mr. Furley, oh, what the hell -- Jack, Janet and Terri had a very special place in my heart.



And while the Ropers were brilliant, Don Knotts as Mr. Furley was and will forever be riotously, fall-down funny. Dear God, is that man hilarious! Add Richard Kline -- like John, a really great and talented guy with spot-on comic timing and a mean ability to comically cross-dress -- to the mix, and you've got the perfect farce comedy ensemble.

And please let me mention Jenilee Harrison and Ann Wedgeworth, too. Though their tenures with the show were shorter, their comic contributions were very significant, especially given the pressures they faced in essentially replacing Suzanne and Audra,

Mann has stated that his favorite Three's Company episodes were " Up In The Air" and "Jack Tattoo" .

Wow! Very smart words from THE authority on Three's Company! I knew Mann was smart enough to realize that the 2nd half of the series was CLEARLY funnier than the 1st half regardless of what the stupid ratings may say!

There are other reasons ratings can fall besides a show's quality.

You Said:

" So the show started it's ratings downfall while Chrissy was still there. It's funny how this never gets mentioned'.

The first four years the show was on with Chrissy as a fulltime character it ranked 11,3,2,2 in the season's ratings. On top of that the show lost two main characters at the end of season 3. You can't blame that decision on Somers. The core 5 characters worked well together, the Ropers were very important to that series, and as much as I love Don Knotts, I thought the show was much stronger with the Ropers. In addition to that what I was responding to this statement:

"There's NO WAY this show lasts 8 years with Chrissy's stupid blonde act! The addition of Cindy & the Terri was a well needed breath of fresh air!"

No evidence was presented to support this assertion, no evidence whatsoever. The show dropped out of the top 3 the season her role was reduced. After a partial rebound in season 6, the show dropped again in 7 and was out of the top 30 by season 8. Again, all the evidence is the other way. The Cindy character was dropped after season 6 and Priscilla Barnes was unhappy on the show and wanted out. The series was not working well for the audience which was tuning out and for several main cast members. The two exceptions were Knotts, who by this point in his career was grateful for the work and Ritter who had succeeded in making the show all about his character.

To conclude, if the show had continued with the core 5 characters and the original structure I think it would have been a far better series and more successful rating wise.


Good post duster. I give John Ritter most of the credit for why the show lasted as long as it did after Suzanne had left. And the ratings by season 8 had fallen off a cliff.

Suzanne was actually ahead of her time in wanting a piece of the pie and a nice raise. In the future celebs did that a lot more. Including women. In the 70's and early 80's it was frowned upon.

I am watching Chrissy's last episodes before the falling out. It's too bad things didn't work out and that Suzanne and John didnt talk to each other for 20 years.