Latka Gravas
12-18-2020, 02:33 AM
Three's Company was a clever & funny series, and much of the humor was based on misunderstandings & innuendos - LOL. The show depicted a "swinging" & somewhat care-free, sunny California lifestyle that was definitely a product of it's time.
I didn't see much of the show when it was originally on, but caught it later in re-runs in the latter '80's & early '90's. The female roommates were all great, but my favorite was the tall, statuesque Cindy (Jenilee Harrison). Though she wasn't in that many episodes, I thought she was the most attractive of all the lead female characters - the others being Janet, Chrissy, and Terri.
Though Mr. & Mrs. Roper (the original landords) were mildly funny at times, my favorite landlord was the cheapskate Mr. Furley, played by the late Don Knotts - he was the one that came after The Ropers' left the show. This is quite possibly Knotts' best role; the character was both pathetic & funny - LOL. He thought of himself as a ladies man, but was in fact the exact opposite. His ugly leisure suits & obvious rug were hilarious; I cracked up just looking at him - LOL.
Also very memorable was the sultry neighbor Lana Shields (played by the late Anne Wedgeworth).
I can't see a show like this being released & becoming that popular today. For one thing, very few viewers these days would believe that a landlord would get upset/give a damn that a single man & two single women are all roommates.
I finally started watching Three's Company on the DVD set(s). I've only seen the first season so far. This is my first time watching the show in about 30 years.
My review:
The PQ is below average, but still probably slightly better than a VHS rip; and, I've seen worse PQ on TV shows (on DVD) from this era. I suspect the problem(s) lie with the limitations of the original prints/source material.
This 1st season is short, and only has 6 episodes. The reason for this was that it originally aired in Spring 1977, which was late in the TV season.
The show itself is great & laugh-out loud funny. It's very clever & well-written, with amusing characters & storylines. That being said, due to the content there is NO WAY a show like this would fly today.
I liked how Jack Tripper's becoming a new room-mate of Chrissy & Janet was organically done, and not just shoe-horned in as an unrealistic plot device. I.e., their 3rd room-mate had recently left due to her being pregnant & planning to get married. And, the morning after the 3rd room-mate's going away party, Jack was found asleep in the bath-tub (presumably because he was drunk) - ha ha. Jack's clothes were wet, so while they dried he stuck around & decided to cook everyone breakfast. After the ladies quickly realized he was an excellent cook & because they needed a 3rd person to help with the rent, they decided to choose him as the 3rd new room-mate.
The Ropers were funnier than I remember them being. All of their dialogue is great. One of their most humorous exchanges was early on, when Jack was trying to convince the Ropers that he would be a good choice for a room-mate - and that there would be no hanky-panky between him & the two women:
Jack Tripper: "It would be strictly platonic."
Mr. Roper: "What does that mean?"
Mrs. Roper: "Just like you and me, Stanley." - LOL
I didn't see much of the show when it was originally on, but caught it later in re-runs in the latter '80's & early '90's. The female roommates were all great, but my favorite was the tall, statuesque Cindy (Jenilee Harrison). Though she wasn't in that many episodes, I thought she was the most attractive of all the lead female characters - the others being Janet, Chrissy, and Terri.
Though Mr. & Mrs. Roper (the original landords) were mildly funny at times, my favorite landlord was the cheapskate Mr. Furley, played by the late Don Knotts - he was the one that came after The Ropers' left the show. This is quite possibly Knotts' best role; the character was both pathetic & funny - LOL. He thought of himself as a ladies man, but was in fact the exact opposite. His ugly leisure suits & obvious rug were hilarious; I cracked up just looking at him - LOL.
Also very memorable was the sultry neighbor Lana Shields (played by the late Anne Wedgeworth).
I can't see a show like this being released & becoming that popular today. For one thing, very few viewers these days would believe that a landlord would get upset/give a damn that a single man & two single women are all roommates.
I finally started watching Three's Company on the DVD set(s). I've only seen the first season so far. This is my first time watching the show in about 30 years.
My review:
The PQ is below average, but still probably slightly better than a VHS rip; and, I've seen worse PQ on TV shows (on DVD) from this era. I suspect the problem(s) lie with the limitations of the original prints/source material.
This 1st season is short, and only has 6 episodes. The reason for this was that it originally aired in Spring 1977, which was late in the TV season.
The show itself is great & laugh-out loud funny. It's very clever & well-written, with amusing characters & storylines. That being said, due to the content there is NO WAY a show like this would fly today.
I liked how Jack Tripper's becoming a new room-mate of Chrissy & Janet was organically done, and not just shoe-horned in as an unrealistic plot device. I.e., their 3rd room-mate had recently left due to her being pregnant & planning to get married. And, the morning after the 3rd room-mate's going away party, Jack was found asleep in the bath-tub (presumably because he was drunk) - ha ha. Jack's clothes were wet, so while they dried he stuck around & decided to cook everyone breakfast. After the ladies quickly realized he was an excellent cook & because they needed a 3rd person to help with the rent, they decided to choose him as the 3rd new room-mate.
The Ropers were funnier than I remember them being. All of their dialogue is great. One of their most humorous exchanges was early on, when Jack was trying to convince the Ropers that he would be a good choice for a room-mate - and that there would be no hanky-panky between him & the two women:
Jack Tripper: "It would be strictly platonic."
Mr. Roper: "What does that mean?"
Mrs. Roper: "Just like you and me, Stanley." - LOL