Was Somers the star of the show?

[estee705]

In the 3's company documentary, Sommers thought she was the real star, or at least equal to Ritter. Thoughts?

[JackJanetChrissy]

Originally Posted by estee705

In the 3's company documentary, Sommers thought she was the real star, or at least equal to Ritter. Thoughts?

They were all strong parts of the ensemble but John was obviously the lead. He was first in the credits for a reason. Everyone behind the scenes and in the audience knew he was the center.

Somers was the breakout star. She became super popular during the show's first couple seasons, probably helped by her massive PR team that put her picture on every magazine cover possible. Had she stayed on the show for four more seasons, her breakout stardom would have quieted down. I think she overestimated her temporary moment in the spotlight.

[SitcomsHeydayfan]

John Ritter was by FAR the biggest star!

You know why? All the other characters could've been replaced or phased out but there was NO show without John.

[cbikle]

Originally Posted by SitcomsHeydayfan

John Ritter was by FAR the biggest star!

You know why? All the other characters could've been replaced or phased out but there was NO show without John.

That was never tested.

[SitcomsHeydayfan]

Originally Posted by cbikle

That was never tested.

Sorry but even the producers said the show could NOT go on without Ritter! They never said that about any other actor on the show.

[jason88cubs]

Ritter

[Mace Dolex]

Although it was ensemble show to me it wouldnt have been the same without John Ritter and plus he never skipped a taping, he was in all episodes unlike Joyce and Suzanne.

[SitcomsHeydayfan]

Originally Posted by Mace Dolex

Although it was ensemble show to me it wouldnt have been the same without John Ritter and plus he never skipped a taping, he was in all episodes unlike Joyce and Suzanne.

Three's Company doesn't exist without John Ritter. PERIOD.

[Heenan Fan]

Suzanne was great. The show lost a lot with her departure in my opinion. I wish she could of worked it out with the producers. As much as I like SS, obviously John was the star and he was the only one that was irreplaceable.

[TheLittleFaerie]

IF by some misfortune John Ritter had to leave the show... I could see Chevy Chase playing the role....either playing a character similar to Jack OR playing Jack himself ~and of course we the audience just are not suppose to notice the change in physical appearance lol like with Darrin from Bewitched ~

I know it would likely never have happened but I could have always seen Chevy Chase playing Jack tripper, AND I think John Ritter could have been a good Clark Griswold.

[SitcomsHeydayfan]

Originally Posted by TheLittleFaerie

IF by some misfortune John Ritter had to leave the show... I could see Chevy Chase playing the role....either playing a character similar to Jack OR playing Jack himself ~and of course we the audience just are not suppose to notice the change in physical appearance lol like with Darrin from Bewitched ~

I know it would likely never have happened but I could have always seen Chevy Chase playing Jack tripper, AND I think John Ritter could have been a good Clark Griswold.

Yeah, I see the similarities too but I don't think Chevy could've done nearly as good as John did. Plus Chevy was already starting to go bald at John's age!

I do see John Ritter doing a good job as Clark Griswold though. Chevy Chase was a good actor but John Ritter was clearly better with his slapstick, pratfalls, hijinks, comic timing, & physical comedy!

[TMC]

Originally Posted by JackJanetChrissy

They were all strong parts of the ensemble but John was obviously the lead. He was first in the credits for a reason. Everyone behind the scenes and in the audience knew he was the center.

Somers was the breakout star. She became super popular during the show's first couple seasons, probably helped by her massive PR team that put her picture on every magazine cover possible. Had she stayed on the show for four more seasons, her breakout stardom would have quieted down. I think she overestimated her temporary moment in the spotlight.

I think about 20 years ago, there was a book about Three's Company that laid the feud all out. Suzanne started off with valid complaints about how she was being treated on the show and the low salary (Joyce DeWitt even admits this). But then Suzanne's husband, Alan got involved and that's really when it all went to hell so to speak. It actually got to the point where Joyce and John Ritter couldn't say anything because they had heard that Suzanne's lawyer was threatening the producers and cast with libel lawsuits if they came out in the media saying anything negative about Suzanne. But then Suzanne went all over the media to air her grievances.

[DEH55]

I have never seen a interview with Suzanne where she said she was THE star of the show. She has said she was the most popular female actress at the time. And that could be true. I remember as a kid how popular she was. Chrissy was huge. And she was definitely the top female on the show. She was a bigger star than Joyce.

But John was the star. Everyone else could leave that show and it would have gone on. But it could not exist without John. I would say Suzanne was No.2 and then the rest.

[TV Guy]

John was the lead, but Joyce and Suzanne were so important to the show. Joyce was wonderful as the straight man, and Suzanne was great in the early years as daffy Chrissy, before she became mentally challenged.

Suzanne was right when she wanted a piece of the profits. All three lead actors should have gotten this. That show made over a half billion dollars in syndication. And Don Taffner and his partners didn’t even have to split that with a studio - they produced and syndicated the show themselves. The cast members should have banded together to renegotiate, a la Friends. Instead, Suzanne and her husband handle the negotiations very poorly. The producers didn’t even have to try to divide in order to conquer. Suzanne did that for them.

[DEH55]

I think If Suzanne had a legit manager handling the negotiations instead of her husband things may have worked out better.