Claims of John Ritter making $150,000 an episode were FALSE!

[ge]

Originally Posted by BestTVever

I don't dispute the show was created and centered around the character Jack. However that is not how the show turned out. The 3 roommates each shared leads in scripts. Even the landlords had scripts centered around them and the kids were supporting roles .
Suzanne was on the cover of every magazine. It annoyed Joyce and John that the press was more interested in her. That People or Time magazine cover really irked them with Suzanne dominating the photo. People can say John was the star of the show to the cows come home. Its a fact that Suzanne was just as big if not bigger. She was a major part of the show's success. How could they tell her....oh you are not the star of the show, John is. It was sexist and wrong. She went about it the wrong way but her points were spot on.

I can't believe people still care about this. They all got paid.

[Dude111]

Ya people care about stupid things!!

Its good to see you active here buddy


I love you Sonny!!

[BestTVever]

We are having a conversation and discussion about topics related to sitcoms. If you are not interested just ignore the thread. Salary disputes on sitcoms especially Threes Company almost broke the show. Its a fair topic. No one is forcing you to read threads you don't want to read.

[TJ]

There's no need for any personal attacks in this thread. Let's try to keep things decent and friendly.

I don't understand why Suzanne Somers would ask for $150,000 an episode if she thought or knew John Ritter was making $50,000 an episode. It didn't make any sense for her to ask for what other top sitcom stars were getting paid if that story was true.

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by TJ

There's no need for any personal attacks in this thread. Let's try to keep things decent and friendly.

I don't understand why Suzanne Somers would ask for $150,000 an episode if she thought or knew John Ritter was making $50,000 an episode. It didn't make any sense for her to ask for what other top sitcom stars were getting paid if that story was true.

Because at that time she had a contract with CBS so thats why she was demanding a raise since she had something to fall back on. I didnt understand it either until years later when I found out she signed with CBS in between season 3 and 4 of TC

[BestTVever]

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

Because at that time she had a contract with CBS so thats why she was demanding a raise since she had something to fall back on. I didnt understand it either until years later when I found out she signed with CBS in between season 3 and 4 of TC

Ha Ha. YES. That important part is sometimes left out of the discussion why ABC was enraged with her. Not only was she costing money with calling in sick at the last minute but she was conspiring with another network for a show based on the Chrissy character. She really went about getting a pay increase the wrong way. But those are important points that sometimes get forgotten.

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by BestTVever

Ha Ha. YES. That important part is sometimes left out of the discussion why ABC was enraged with her. Not only was she costing money with calling in sick at the last minute but she was conspiring with another network for a show based on the Chrissy character. She really went about getting a pay increase the wrong way. But those are important points that sometimes get forgotten.

Dont know why she would do something so stupid while on a hit show with ABC. I can see if the show was failing but it was number #1

[opus]

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

Dont know why she would do something so stupid while on a hit show with ABC. I can see if the show was failing but it was number #1

Never underestimate ego.

[BestTVever]

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

Dont know why she would do something so stupid while on a hit show with ABC. I can see if the show was failing but it was number #1

True but I think CBS approached her. It also sort of made her point that John was not the only star of Threes Company which definitely fed her ego.

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by BestTVever

True but I think CBS approached her. It also sort of made her point that John was not the only star of Threes Company which definitely fed her ego.

Did u know she made a guest appearance on a CBS sitcom called Billy during season 4 of TC? It was on hiatus for 5 weeks so everyone could watch the Ropers in April of 1979. She appeared on Billy on april 28, 1979 and would then be back on TC about 8 days later in the episode Jack Moves Out that aired may 8, 1979

[Lyverbe]

Going off topic

[TMC]

Come and knock on our door... because we’re unlocking the vault on the shocking finances behind one of television's greatest sitcoms! 🚪💰

While the cast of Three's Company wasn't pulling in the $1 million-per-episode paydays seen in modern TV, the financial drama behind the scenes was absolutely massive. In this video, we break down exactly what John Ritter, Suzanne Somers, and Joyce DeWitt made at the peak of the show's success—and how a brutal contract dispute completely fractured the original trio.

You won't believe how much the cast earned Then compared to their staggering net worths Now (including the fired star who got the ultimate revenge by building a $100 million empire!).

⏱️ WHAT’S INSIDE THIS VIDEO:

• The Leading Man: John Ritter's peak physical-comedy payday.
  
• The $150K Ultimatum: The contract strike that got Suzanne Somers fired and blacklisted from TV.
  
• The Blindsided Roommate: How the contract feud fractured Joyce DeWitt’s relationship with her co-stars.
  
• The Landlords & Neighbors: Where Don Knotts, Richard Kline, and the Ropers ended up financially.

🔔 Subscribe for more classic TV deep dives, behind-the-scenes drama, and cast updates!