Gail Edwards claims she was the producer's choice to play Vicky

[Road Dog]

In case you don't know who Gail Edwards is she is a TV actress who had guest spots on many 80's sitcoms, but is best know for playing Dot Higgins on the sitcom "It's A Living."

Anyway, on her website she claims she was chosen by the producers to play Vicky on TAC, but John Ritter said no. She did make a guest appearance on TAC in the episode "A Friend In Deed."

Here's the quote from her website:
As for “Three’s a Crowd,” the producers/writers originally wanted me to star across John Ritter but John—who had final decision—wanted Mary [Cadorette] who he worked with on “Three's Company.” Mid-season, when the show began to tank, the producers asked me if I'd guest star to prove their point that I would have been the better choice. What a strange biz it is...

[thejasoomian]

I've always liked Gail Edwards . I used to watch "It's A Living" some. She looks a little like Bonnie Bedelia too me . She was also on a season of " Full House" as a character oddly enough named Vicky. I remember the episode of 3's A Crowd she was in, it's a funny one. She's a friend of Vicky's who stays the night while Vicky is at work . She had a contact lens dry problem that causes her to wink all the time. And of course , Jack thinks she's coming on to him.

This is the first of this I've ever heard. I wonder who the producers are that she is talking about. I've seen interviews with Sunga and Burditt and it's always been Mary. That's the way it sounded to me. I'm glad John Ritter chose Mary Cadorette. Absolutely stunning lady and perfect for the role.

Another funny thing here is I have a rare bloopers reel VHS tape that has a lot of " Three's Company" and "Three's A Crowd" bloopers on it. And one of the blooper reels is from the episode " A Friend In Deed" . Gail has a major wardrobe malfunction while she running. Her boobs keep popping out of the top of her dress. LOL

Do you have a link to that interview ? Thanks.

[TVFactFan]

Never understood why this show wasnt added in the TC complete series DVD as a bonus

[Road Dog]

Originally Posted by thejasoomian

I've always liked Gail Edwards . I used to watch "It's A Living" some. She looks a little like Bonnie Bedelia too me . She was also on a season of " Full House" as a character oddly enough named Vicky. I remember the episode of 3's A Crowd she was in, it's a funny one. She's a friend of Vicky's who stays the night while Vicky is at work . She had a contact lens dry problem that causes her to wink all the time. And of course , Jack think she's coming on to him.

This is the first of this I've ever heard. I wonder who the producers are that she is talking about. I've seen interviews with Sunga and Burditt and it's always been Mary. That's the way it sounded to me. I'm glad John Ritter chose Mary Cadorette. Absolutely stunning lady.

Another funny thing here is I have a rare bloopers reel VHS tape that has a lot of " Three's Company" and "Three's A Crowd" bloopers on it. And one of the blooper reels is from the episode " A Friend In Deed" . Gail has a major wardrobe malfunction while she running. Her boobs keep popping out of the top of her dress. LOL

Do you have a link to that interview ? Thanks.

Here's the link. Scroll to the very bottom.
https://web.archive.org/web/20130118...com/living.htm

I always felt Mary Cadorette was stunning, too. It's not her fault the show was a flop.

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by Road Dog

Here's the link. Scroll to the very bottom.
https://web.archive.org/web/20130118...com/living.htm

I always felt Mary Cadorette was stunning, too. It's not her fault the show was a flop.

Her dad is why the show was unwatchable

[thejasoomian]

Thanks for that link. I really appreciate it as it was a good read. It's interesting that's for sure.

Regarding Three's a Crowd being a flop. It really wasn't and neither was The Ropers. The two series dominated during the reruns. They just canceled them too early.

Here's a piece from a guy that did some research on Three's A Crowd :


I just did a bit of research about this since, after seeing some of the episodes on Antenna TV, I was curious as to why it vanished so quickly. According to news articles of the time, this show finished higher in the ratings than "Miami Vice" during the 1984-85 season. What's more, it had about the same popularity of "Who's the Boss." Interesting, when you consider how long those other two survived. Also, "Three's a Crowd" began it's run with decent ratings (one of ABC's few modest successes that season), yet after showing initial promise (September-October 1984) was already considered for the chopping-block within a few months (February-March 1985). Also of note is that plans were underway, in the spring of 1985, for a second season in which Stuart Pankin would join the cast as the next door neighbor. Most intriguing, Season Two was to begin with the leads getting married (see "The Philadelphia Inquirer" 10 April 1985 p.D11 for these last two points). Moreover, after the show was announced as cancelled in early May, 1985, it was shown in reruns throughout the summer. I located several articles that list it as finishing in the top ten rated programs for the week, even as late as the early part of September. On the flip-side, ABC was really struggling at that time and John Ritter was making a lot of money ($100,000 per episode). Still, when the show finished taping in February, 1985, plans were to begin work on it again that August. I suppose the rumor (which I was unable to verify via my search) of John Ritter turning-down ABC's offer of a half-season renewal is the reason it did not last. Regardless, while it wasn't necessarily a good show, it seems that it may have perhaps been cancelled prematurely.

By the way, most of the information I gleaned was from the "Boston Globe," "New York Times," "Philadelphia Inquirer," and "Providence Journal" as well as the Canadian publications "The Gazette" (Montreal) and "The Globe and Mail" (Toronto).

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by thejasoomian

Thanks for that link. I really appreciate it as it was a good read. It's interesting that's for sure.

Regarding Three's a Crowd being a flop. It really wasn't and neither was The Ropers. The two series dominated during the reruns. They just canceled them too early.

Here's a piece from a guy that did some research on Three's A Crowd :


I just did a bit of research about this since, after seeing some of the episodes on Antenna TV, I was curious as to why it vanished so quickly. According to news articles of the time, this show finished higher in the ratings than "Miami Vice" during the 1984-85 season. What's more, it had about the same popularity of "Who's the Boss." Interesting, when you consider how long those other two survived. Also, "Three's a Crowd" began it's run with decent ratings (one of ABC's few modest successes that season), yet after showing initial promise (September-October 1984) was already considered for the chopping-block within a few months (February-March 1985). Also of note is that plans were underway, in the spring of 1985, for a second season in which Stuart Pankin would join the cast as the next door neighbor. Most intriguing, Season Two was to begin with the leads getting married (see "The Philadelphia Inquirer" 10 April 1985 p.D11 for these last two points). Moreover, after the show was announced as cancelled in early May, 1985, it was shown in reruns throughout the summer. I located several articles that list it as finishing in the top ten rated programs for the week, even as late as the early part of September. On the flip-side, ABC was really struggling at that time and John Ritter was making a lot of money ($100,000 per episode). Still, when the show finished taping in February, 1985, plans were to begin work on it again that August. I suppose the rumor (which I was unable to verify via my search) of John Ritter turning-down ABC's offer of a half-season renewal is the reason it did not last. Regardless, while it wasn't necessarily a good show, it seems that it may have perhaps been cancelled prematurely.

By the way, most of the information I gleaned was from the "Boston Globe," "New York Times," "Philadelphia Inquirer," and "Providence Journal" as well as the Canadian publications "The Gazette" (Montreal) and "The Globe and Mail" (Toronto).

Not sure why ABC expectations was so high since the last season of TC wasnt in the top 10

[Schmo]

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

Her dad is why the show was unwatchable

Mary Cadorette’s dad was the problem?

[Schmo]

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

Not sure why ABC expectations was so high since the last season of TC wasnt in the top 10

I think ending the series was a good thing. It gave John Ritter a chance to move on and do new things.

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by Schmo

Mary Cadorette’s dad was the problem?

Her TV Dad, he wasnt needed

[Duster76]

John Ritter wanted the focus of this series on his character and his character alone. This was nothing new, the same thing happened on Three's Company. The producers had a smash hit with Three's Company so from there perspective it must have seemed like a gamble worth taking. On Three's Company every change benefited John, the permanent departure of the Ropers, the departure of Chrissy and the hiring of Priscilla Barnes who essentially was playing the blond version of Janet. Gail Edwards would have brought more to the party than Mary (not that Mary wasn't a competent actress, she just wasn't costarring material), if Gail had caught on the show might have turned into a show about the couple rather than what Ritter wanted which was a show about his character.

[SitcomsHeydayfan]

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

Her TV Dad, he wasnt needed

Are you nuts?? Mr. Bradford was arguably the 2nd best character on the show next to Jack! Jack & Mr.Bradford were rivals who were constantly going after each other. Without that you wouldn't have a show! So many of the storylines involved the comic rivalry/tension between them!

Just like Mr.Brooks & The Ropers went after each other on The Ropers.

[SitcomsHeydayfan]

Originally Posted by Duster76

John Ritter wanted the focus of this series on his character and his character alone. This was nothing new, the same thing happened on Three's Company. The producers had a smash hit with Three's Company so from there perspective it must have seemed like a gamble worth taking. On Three's Company every change benefited John, the permanent departure of the Ropers, the departure of Chrissy and the hiring of Priscilla Barnes who essentially was playing the blond version of Janet. Gail Edwards would have brought more to the party than Mary (not that Mary wasn't a competent actress, she just wasn't costarring material), if Gail had caught on the show might have turned into a show about the couple rather than what Ritter wanted which was a show about his character.

Where did you get these conclusions??

John was the star of Three's Company just like Lucille Ball was the star of I Love Lucy but that doesn't mean the supporting characters weren't really important!

Even Lucille Ball said her show wouldn't have been the success it was without Vivian Vance.

So these 2 Ritter shows were not about Jack Tripper ALONE! His supporting cast was VITAL to the show's success & if John were here you know he'd say the same thing!Ritter

I agree I would have rather seen Gail Edwards in TAC because Mary didn't really work out.

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by SitcomsHeydayfan

Are you nuts?? Mr. Bradford was arguably the 2nd best character on the show next to Jack! Jack & Mr.Bradford were rivals who were constantly going after each other. Without that you wouldn't have a show! So many of the storylines involved the comic rivalry/tension between them!

Just like Mr.Brooks & The Ropers went after each other on The Ropers.

had no interest in seeing vicky's dad over and over

[Road Dog]

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

had no interest in seeing vicky's dad over and over

I think the real problem with TAC was the cast wasn't large enough. On TC there were several recurring cast members like Mr Furley, the Ropers, Larry, Lana, Mr Angelino, etc. that they could bring in for various story lines and comedic moments. With TAC there just weren't enough people for Jack to play off of for comedy.