Where is Suzanne on these DVDs???

[Edster2973]

Hey Pav (or anyone else who may know the answer),

Why isn't a Suzanne Somers interview included in these DVDs? Is she simply not allowed to participate, a la a decree from the producers, or is she simply choosing not to? I think a short 3 minute interview of how she feels about John Ritter is not only a nice idea but is necessary. Her absence is glaringly obvious and doesn't feel right.

I'm glad that Suzanne had a focus in one of the extras as 'Casting Suzanne Somers'. She is part of the show's legacy and it was nice to see her contribution to the show be the focus instead of the famous salary dispute.

If she is choosing to stay away, I imagine it's probably due to fear on her part. She doesn't strike me as someone who would harbor a 25 year grudge, given how she's dealt with other more pressing problems like her father's alcoholism and such. Publicly, when she speaks of Three's Company, she always acknowledges what happened but she still comes across as being grateful for the experience and regretful of how things turned out. If she's choosing to stay away, it's probably because she's afraid she'd be castigated for the dispute again. She worked her butt off to redeem herself within the industry as well as with the public and probably doesn't want to participate in something that would dredge some of that past crap up. Who would want a reminder of things we did wrong from 5 years ago, let alone 25? If this is indeed the case, it's too bad because she has as much to do with that show's success as the show had to do with her success, and that should be celebrated.

If the producers have forbidden her to participate, then it shows, once again, what pricks they really are. And it'd actually help lend credence to much of what Suzanne said about them at the time, even if most of us thought she was lying when she said it. Given how cruel they were to Joyce, Priscilla, Jenilee, Norman, Audra & Richard, I wouldn't put it past them...

Anyway, anyone know if she'll participate for Season 5 and, if not, why?

Ed

[Auntie]

Actly I'm not surprised that she isn't on the dvds(interviews). After all, she did cost them thousands of dollars for missed shows(tapings), she tried to have her fans 'blackball' the show all due to her 'cockyness'(and greedness) thinking that she was the show( in reality it was JOHN, not her) So you ask why she isn't in these interviews?

[chrismann]

Suzanne Somers was approached multiple times by multiple people, and was politely asked to participate in these DVDs -- particularly in the tributes to John and to remember the fun and happy times. I know because I worked on this project and helped coordinate (and also conduct) every interview you've seen on these DVDs so far.

Everyone else who interviewed did so with no strings attached, and most, if not all, interviewed to pay tribute to John's memory. (Ann Wedgeworth flew in from New York specifically to do so.) Suzanne, unlike everyone else who was approached, wanted something major in return as a condition of her possible participation. I won't disclose the specifics or say anything further, but I can assure you that, sadly, this was busine$$ as usual where she's concerned.

I just felt that you, the audience, should know this. Enjoy the show.

[Janet Tripper]

Originally Posted by chrismann

Suzanne Somers was approached multiple times by multiple people, and was politely asked to participate in these DVDs -- particularly in the tributes to John and to remember the fun and happy times. I know because I worked on this project and helped coordinate (and also conduct) every interview you've seen on these DVDs so far.

Everyone else who interviewed did so with no strings attached, and most, if not all, interviewed to pay tribute to John's memory. (Ann Wedgeworth flew in from New York specifically to do so.) Suzanne, unlike everyone else who was approached, wanted something major in return as a condition of her possible participation. I won't disclose the specifics or say anything further, but I can assure you that, sadly, this was busine$$ as usual where she's concerned.

I just felt that you, the audience, should know this. Enjoy the show.

Thanks for the info!!!! The DVD's ROCK!!! Totally! You and everyone else who have been part of this great team and production have done a WONDERFUL JOB!!!! It was great to see Ann Wedgeworth be part of the tributes for John b/c she also was part of the cast! Its very sad that even after all these years and mostly with John's death money is still a big part of everything! But its ok b/c just like w/the show the DVD's have come out for the audience to enjoy with or without SS! Thanks for the info...keep up the great work!!...and please if we can get MORE BLOOPERS!!!!!

[Edster2973]

Originally Posted by chrismann

Suzanne Somers was approached multiple times by multiple people, and was politely asked to participate in these DVDs -- particularly in the tributes to John and to remember the fun and happy times. I know because I worked on this project and helped coordinate (and also conduct) every interview you've seen on these DVDs so far.

Everyone else who interviewed did so with no strings attached, and most, if not all, interviewed to pay tribute to John's memory. (Ann Wedgeworth flew in from New York specifically to do so.) Suzanne, unlike everyone else who was approached, wanted something major in return as a condition of her possible participation. I won't disclose the specifics or say anything further, but I can assure you that, sadly, this was busine$$ as usual where she's concerned.

I just felt that you, the audience, should know this. Enjoy the show.

Well, this is somewhat tragic to learn. The thing is, had Suzanne's bout with cancer a few years ago had resulted in her losing her life, I'd bet John would've been the first to speak out about how wonderful she was and how much he really loved her. I bet even Joyce would have as well. And all without being paid a dime.

It's too bad, really, but I guess she has a right to impose conditions for DVDs and such. She just better remember that we fans have as much of a right to be offended and disgusted with her choice in something as sensitive as this. John deserved better from her and so do the fans.

As Felipé would say: Chame, Chame, Chame...

Ed

[Auntie]

Originally Posted by Janet Tripper

Thanks for the info!!!! The DVD's ROCK!!! Totally! You and everyone else who have been part of this great team and production have done a WONDERFUL JOB!!!! It was great to see Ann Wedgeworth be part of the tributes for John b/c she also was part of the cast! Its very sad that even after all these years and mostly with John's death money is still a big part of everything! But its ok b/c just like w/the show the DVD's have come out for the audience to enjoy with or without SS! Thanks for the info...keep up the great work!!...and please if we can get MORE BLOOPERS!!!!!

Are you kidding me? Where did you get this info from? If at all true, I'm not surprised, some things never change, do they. This really puts a more bitter taste in my mouth about her. If all the others can participate with out strings attached, why not her? Who does she think she is, someone special? With all the money she(Susanne) makes on HSN, she can't offer some words of kindness towards John without $$$$$?

[Edster2973]

Originally Posted by Auntie

Are you kidding me? Where did you get this info from? If at all true, I'm not surprised, some things never change, do they. This really puts a more bitter taste in my mouth about her. If all the others can participate with out strings attached, why not her? Who does she think she is, someone special? With all the money she(Susanne) makes on HSN, she can't offer some words of kindness towards John without $$$$$?

Sad to say, no she can't. The thing that makes me cringe though is that if she had lost her bout with cancer, chances are more than good that both John & Joyce would've spoken about her in the positive and would have paid tribute to her, inspite of what went down. They would've honored her, and all without asking for a dime.

Perhaps Suzanne thinks this is one more way to get back at the producers. Maybe she thinks they're profiting off of John's death, since it's been speculated that sales of the show wouldn't have been as high if he hadn't passed away. Who knows?

Even if this is her reasoning, I think it's basically sad that she'd stoop to that level of being impersonal. It's just sad and I can't help feeling sorry for her. For all of her 'enlightenment' with her alcoholism books, she's still has a ways to go when it comes to learning about what really matters in life.

I'll always be a fan of her work, but more and more I don't think I like her as a person. Sorry, but that's how I feel...

Ed

[matt41277]

Thanks for clearing this up, Chris. Also thanks for your commentaries, looking forward to one or two commentaries on season 5.

[Raisingdad2004]

I think as somebody said. Suzanne would be wanting the money as a "in your face producers" - not as any dis-respect to John, I know she did provide some footage for "Life of Laughter: John Ritter" and for E!, Its a real shame she would not participate though.

[Janet Tripper]

Originally Posted by Edster2973

Perhaps Suzanne thinks this is one more way to get back at the producers. Maybe she thinks they're profiting off of John's death, since it's been speculated that sales of the show wouldn't have been as high if he hadn't passed away. Who knows?
Ed

I don't think that is a very good reason. She claims that John was a great friend of hers well its sad that money or pride comes before a friend.

[Edster2973]

Originally Posted by Janet Tripper

I don't think that is a very good reason. She claims that John was a great friend of hers well its sad that money or pride comes before a friend.

I don't think it's a good enough reason either. It's just speculation on my part. Guess it's the part of me that's trying to find some good in her motivations other than greed.

Either way, it's still so sad. She always mentions how she's put the whole thing behind her and how she tried to make up with the producers, and yet if she's doing this to get back at them (and it's not officially known that this is the case), then who's being the petty one? So much for moving on, eh?

Either way, I don't think John & Joyce would've asked for a dime to pay Suzanne a tribute if she had died from cancer, and someone should make that known to her. If Ann Wedgeworth (Lana) can fly half way across the country to do interviews for the DVDs for FREE, even when the show she's commenting on fired her, then I think Suzanne could donate 5 minutes of her time. If not for John & her past friends, then for the fans. She has to know how much this would have meant to fans of the show.

Without the show and without the fans that still supported her inspite of being demonized by the media at the time of her firing, Suzanne wouldn't be where she is today. Perhaps we should all write her and tell her that, from here on out, she is to pay us for any further future support. We'd only be following her lead, no?

Ed

[Edster2973]

Originally Posted by Raisingdad2004

I think as somebody said. Suzanne would be wanting the money as a "in your face producers" - not as any dis-respect to John, I know she did provide some footage for "Life of Laughter: John Ritter" and for E!, Its a real shame she would not participate though.

Right. And she's always spoken about how she had approached her producers long after Three's Company was cancelled and tried to make peace with them, and how they wouldn't even return her letters and so forth. Funny how she can present herself as the one who isn't holding the grudge, but when it comes to something as sensitive as paying tribute to a fellow castmate and friend who has died, she has to see it as a way of cashing in. This is in such poor taste and I can't defend it. I think her producers were awful at times as well, especially when it comes to their treatment of Joyce DeWitt, Norman Fell & Audra Lindley, Jenilee Harrison, Priscilla Barnes, Ann Wedgeworth, Richard Kline & Suzanne Somers, but clearly, Suzanne is as much the culprit in this show's ugly history.

I can't defend her anymore. She isn't the victim in my book...

Ed