Lowest ranked episode of season 3 was............. - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TVFactFan · 01-10-2026, 03:53 AM

"Sister's Keeeper" aired on Oct 17, 1978. Ranked #8. Mainly due to the World Series. There was a total of 4 episodes that ranked #1 for the week during season 3

Love Dairy..........Sept 20, 1978
The Fast.............Oct 3, 1978
Chrissy and the Guru........Oct 24, 1978
The Party's Over............Dec 5, 1978

BestTVever · 01-10-2026, 04:19 PM

Its funny because season 3 was playing on Logo yesterday and I always go back and forth which is the best season 2 or 3. I can officially say Season 3 is my favorite. Gosh some of the best episodes aired back to back like The Older Woman, Eleanor's Return, etc. Those episodes use ALL the characters especially Larry for fall out of the chair laughter. I forget what its called in comedy after the joke there is another punchline and then another one, etc. Gosh it was so FREAKING GOOD. When Jack serves the cake made out of sawdust is funny but when he finds out the party is for him he freaks out and steals everyone's cake. Then Roper turns around and says the cake is delicious. The laughs just keep coming.
I was also thinking WHAT IF the Ropers stuck around for season 4 and then got their spin off in 1980 instead of 1979. I look at the episodes and its fun to think how the Ropers could have been written in those episodes. But it really would have crushed the show to have Suzanne and The Ropers leave all at the same time. All the episodes are good. But season 3 is simply brilliant.

TVFactFan · 01-10-2026, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BestTVever

Its funny because season 3 was playing on Logo yesterday and I always go back and forth which is the best season 2 or 3. I can officially say Season 3 is my favorite. Gosh some of the best episodes aired back to back like The Older Woman, Eleanor's Return, etc. Those episodes use ALL the characters especially Larry for fall out of the chair laughter. I forget what its called in comedy after the joke there is another punchline and then another one, etc. Gosh it was so FREAKING GOOD. When Jack serves the cake made out of sawdust is funny but when he finds out the party is for him he freaks out and steals everyone's cake. Then Roper turns around and says the cake is delicious. The laughs just keep coming.
I was also thinking WHAT IF the Ropers stuck around for season 4 and then got their spin off in 1980 instead of 1979. I look at the episodes and its fun to think how the Ropers could have been written in those episodes. But it really would have crushed the show to have Suzanne and The Ropers leave all at the same time. All the episodes are good. But season 3 is simply brilliant.

Thats the season the show took off

BestTVever · 01-11-2026, 08:39 AM

The comedic scenes hold up just like I Love Lucy. When Larry tries to seduce Mrs Roper's aunt is hysterical. He comments her on her scent and asks what she's wearing and she says Ben Gay. Then she slaps Larry trying to get out of the apartment and the Ropers are at the door. Mr Roper calling Larry weird after being told by Aunt Martha a young man was trying to seduce her. Mrs Roper then says "i hope you got his name and number"

None of the main 3 TC cast members appear in this scene. Larry and the Ropers land such comedic punches. Its just the icing on the cake to a fantastic show and episode. It does not get any better than that.

TVFactFan · 01-11-2026, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BestTVever

The comedic scenes hold up just like I Love Lucy. When Larry tries to seduce Mrs Roper's aunt is hysterical. He comments her on her scent and asks what she's wearing and she says Ben Gay. Then she slaps Larry trying to get out of the apartment and the Ropers are at the door. Mr Roper calling Larry weird after being told by Aunt Martha a young man was trying to seduce her. Mrs Roper then says "i hope you got his name and number"

None of the main 3 TC cast members appear in this scene. Larry and the Ropers land such comedic punches. Its just the icing on the cake to a fantastic show and episode. It does not get any better than that.

My worst episode of season 3 was ranked #1.........Chrissy and the Guru

BestTVever · 01-12-2026, 12:51 PM

Its not my favorite of season 3 but its a time capsule of the 1970s when Gurus were around especially in southern California. It was spooky the episode aired right before the Jonestown massacre. In the movie Airplane that was filmed in 1979 they also show those flower selling cultists at the airport in a comedic way. I was very young then but I remember seeing them at airports always begging for money. My favorites from season 3 are: Good Old Reliable Janet, The Kleptomaniac, Larry's Bride, The Older Woman, Eleanor's Return, The Catered Affair, The Bake Off, and Helen's Rendezvous, and Stanley's Hotline.

BuffaloBill · 01-14-2026, 01:44 AM

Having to go up against a World Series clinching game 6 by the Yanks over the Dodgers is no shock The World Series was clearly number 1 in 78. Even in mondern day TV with the millions of choices seems like now to watch - you needed another great World Series like this year to top ratings, such as games 6 and 7. Now ABC MNF being ranked 27th that week is truly shocking to the todays TV viewer, being it would still take about another decade for NFL to wipe out competition and become the king in the 80's. An additional note, what the hell was Operation Petticoat that finished in the top 20. Now obviously if you were alive in the 70's you had about 5-6 channels to choose from. remember pretty much all the shows accept Operation Petticoat - it was truly a dark day when MNF got beat in ratings by that. LOL

TVFactFan · 01-14-2026, 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuffaloBill

Having to go up against a World Series clinching game 6 by the Yanks over the Dodgers is no shock The World Series was clearly number 1 in 78. Even in mondern day TV with the millions of choices seems like now to watch - you needed another great World Series like this year to top ratings, such as games 6 and 7. Now ABC MNF being ranked 27th that week is truly shocking to the todays TV viewer, being it would still take about another decade for NFL to wipe out competition and become the king in the 80's. An additional note, what the hell was Operation Petticoat that finished in the top 20. Now obviously if you were alive in the 70's you had about 5-6 channels to choose from. remember pretty much all the shows accept Operation Petticoat - it was truly a dark day when MNF got beat in ratings by that. LOL

I never paid much attention to that show and now I have to look into it. I see it aired after Welcome Back Kotter on Mondays

BestTVever · 01-14-2026, 10:27 AM

OMG the World Series of 1978 was insane especially for ratings. I still enjoy listening to Yankees fans describe being there and running on the field. It was crazy in those days. The following year in 1979 The Pittsburgh Pirates came back after being down 3-1 and won the World Series. Willie Stargell is actually mentioned in an episode of Threes Company. Back in the 1970s people listened to the games on the radio just sitting on the front porch.

TVFactFan · 01-14-2026, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BestTVever

OMG the World Series of 1978 was insane especially for ratings. I still enjoy listening to Yankees fans describe being there and running on the field. It was crazy in those days. The following year in 1979 The Pittsburgh Pirates came back after being down 3-1 and won the World Series. Willie Stargell is actually mentioned in an episode of Threes Company. Back in the 1970s people listened to the games on the radio just sitting on the front porch.

was he that good? I remember chrissy mentioning him in season 4

opus · 01-14-2026, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

was he that good? I remember chrissy mentioning him in season 4

Stargell? He was a big name player back in that era.

TVFactFan · 01-14-2026, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by opus

Stargell? He was a big name player back in that era.

just read he is in HOF and he hit the longest HR in Veterans stadium history

opus · 01-14-2026, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

just read he is in HOF and he hit the longest HR in Veterans stadium history

I forgot he made the HOF. I always get him mixed up with Dave Parker, another Pirate from that era who also made the Hall.

James28 · 01-14-2026, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

"Sister's Keeeper" aired on Oct 17, 1978. Ranked #8. Mainly due to the World Series. There was a total of 4 episodes that ranked #1 for the week during season 3

Love Dairy..........Sept 20, 1978
The Fast.............Oct 3, 1978
Chrissy and the Guru........Oct 24, 1978
The Party's Over............Dec 5, 1978

According to the List of U.S. Broadcast Television Ratings archives at Wikipedia, I think that number was seven (in terms of originals):

"The Bake-Off" - Feb 27, 1979 (32.5 rating)
"An Anniversary Surprise" - Mar 13, 1979 (38.5 rating, possible series high)
"Triangle Troubles" - May 15, 1979 (25.8 rating; season three finale)

TVFactFan · 01-14-2026, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James28

According to the List of U.S. Broadcast Television Ratings archives at Wikipedia, I think that number was seven (in terms of originals):

"The Bake-Off" - Feb 27, 1979 (32.5 rating)
"An Anniversary Surprise" - Mar 13, 1979 (38.5 rating, possible series high)
"Triangle Troubles" - May 15, 1979 (25.8 rating; season three finale)

Yes that is correct, I miss those

01-10-2026, 03:53 AM	#1
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 98,950	Lowest ranked episode of season 3 was............. "Sister's Keeeper" aired on Oct 17, 1978. Ranked #8. Mainly due to the World Series. There was a total of 4 episodes that ranked #1 for the week during season 3 Love Dairy..........Sept 20, 1978 The Fast.............Oct 3, 1978 Chrissy and the Guru........Oct 24, 1978 The Party's Over............Dec 5, 1978 Attached Images

01-10-2026, 04:19 PM	#2
BestTVever Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 29, 2021 Location: Miami Posts: 1,874	Its funny because season 3 was playing on Logo yesterday and I always go back and forth which is the best season 2 or 3. I can officially say Season 3 is my favorite. Gosh some of the best episodes aired back to back like The Older Woman, Eleanor's Return, etc. Those episodes use ALL the characters especially Larry for fall out of the chair laughter. I forget what its called in comedy after the joke there is another punchline and then another one, etc. Gosh it was so FREAKING GOOD. When Jack serves the cake made out of sawdust is funny but when he finds out the party is for him he freaks out and steals everyone's cake. Then Roper turns around and says the cake is delicious. The laughs just keep coming. I was also thinking WHAT IF the Ropers stuck around for season 4 and then got their spin off in 1980 instead of 1979. I look at the episodes and its fun to think how the Ropers could have been written in those episodes. But it really would have crushed the show to have Suzanne and The Ropers leave all at the same time. All the episodes are good. But season 3 is simply brilliant.

01-11-2026, 08:39 AM	#4
BestTVever Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 29, 2021 Location: Miami Posts: 1,874	The comedic scenes hold up just like I Love Lucy. When Larry tries to seduce Mrs Roper's aunt is hysterical. He comments her on her scent and asks what she's wearing and she says Ben Gay. Then she slaps Larry trying to get out of the apartment and the Ropers are at the door. Mr Roper calling Larry weird after being told by Aunt Martha a young man was trying to seduce her. Mrs Roper then says "i hope you got his name and number" None of the main 3 TC cast members appear in this scene. Larry and the Ropers land such comedic punches. Its just the icing on the cake to a fantastic show and episode. It does not get any better than that.

01-12-2026, 12:51 PM	#6
BestTVever Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 29, 2021 Location: Miami Posts: 1,874	Its not my favorite of season 3 but its a time capsule of the 1970s when Gurus were around especially in southern California. It was spooky the episode aired right before the Jonestown massacre. In the movie Airplane that was filmed in 1979 they also show those flower selling cultists at the airport in a comedic way. I was very young then but I remember seeing them at airports always begging for money. My favorites from season 3 are: Good Old Reliable Janet, The Kleptomaniac, Larry's Bride, The Older Woman, Eleanor's Return, The Catered Affair, The Bake Off, and Helen's Rendezvous, and Stanley's Hotline.

01-14-2026, 01:44 AM	#7
BuffaloBill Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 07, 2004 Location: Cheektowaga(Buffalo),NY Posts: 427	Having to go up against a World Series clinching game 6 by the Yanks over the Dodgers is no shock The World Series was clearly number 1 in 78. Even in mondern day TV with the millions of choices seems like now to watch - you needed another great World Series like this year to top ratings, such as games 6 and 7. Now ABC MNF being ranked 27th that week is truly shocking to the todays TV viewer, being it would still take about another decade for NFL to wipe out competition and become the king in the 80's. An additional note, what the hell was Operation Petticoat that finished in the top 20. Now obviously if you were alive in the 70's you had about 5-6 channels to choose from. remember pretty much all the shows accept Operation Petticoat - it was truly a dark day when MNF got beat in ratings by that. LOL

01-14-2026, 10:27 AM	#9
BestTVever Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 29, 2021 Location: Miami Posts: 1,874	OMG the World Series of 1978 was insane especially for ratings. I still enjoy listening to Yankees fans describe being there and running on the field. It was crazy in those days. The following year in 1979 The Pittsburgh Pirates came back after being down 3-1 and won the World Series. Willie Stargell is actually mentioned in an episode of Threes Company. Back in the 1970s people listened to the games on the radio just sitting on the front porch.