Do You Consider "Three's Company" A Breakthrough Sitcom?

[Brian Damage]

Two girls and a guy living together, The Star was pretending to be gay, while the co-stars were scantily clad. Was this breakthrough TV or just an ordinary, yet successful sitcom?

[Retro4Life]

In terms of situation, yes, it was rather breakthrough for the reasons you state. American television had become more adult with All in the Family, Hot L Baltimore, The Jeffersons, Maude, etc. but the youth and sensual (though not outright sexual) nature of the characters was new, as was their living situation.

But in terms of actual comedy, the show was really an old fashioned bedroom farce, with intertwining misunderstandings breathing life to most of the laughs.

I don't think the show would have been nearly as successful had it just been a "shock value" show; that would have worn out fast. It was the zany comedy of the show and the very appealing stars that really made it so popular, IMHO.

[Mr. Television]

I thinkTC and Soap both pushed the boundaries concerning sex on tv during 1977-78. In that regard TC was a breakthrough sitcom. I know that some of the religious leaders targeted TC and considered it a dirty joke. Looking at the show now, it looks tame compared to all the crap that is on TV nowadays. TC was not just about sex. It was about people who really cared for each other and acted as a real family. I think some of todays shows could learn a few things from TC.

[Smartboy]

Originally Posted by Retro4Life

In terms of situation, yes, it was rather breakthrough for the reasons you state. American television had become more adult with All in the Family, Hot L Baltimore, The Jeffersons, Maude, etc. but the youth and sensual (though not outright sexual) nature of the characters was new, as was their living situation.

But in terms of actual comedy, the show was really an old fashioned bedroom farce, with intertwining misunderstandings breathing life to most of the laughs.

I don't think the show would have been nearly as successful had it just been a "shock value" show; that would have worn out fast. It was the zany comedy of the show and the very appealing stars that really made it so popular, IMHO.

I am familiar with all of the shows that you compared "Three's Company" with except for "Hot L Baltimore". Could someone please elaborate on what that show was?

[The Flying Dutchmans]

Originally Posted by Clint Eastwood Fan

I thinkTC and Soap both pushed the boundaries concerning sex on tv during 1977-78. In that regard TC was a breakthrough sitcom. I know that some of the religious leaders targeted TC and considered it a dirty joke. Looking at the show now, it looks tame compared to all the crap that is on TV nowadays. TC was not just about sex. It was about people who really cared for each other and acted as a real family. I think some of todays shows could learn a few things from TC.

Lets not forget that the idea for TC came from man about the house. I british sitcom. And that as u already know was also the name of the 1st episod.

But on the family idea of TC. I agree with Clint Eastwood Fan. They did act like a real family. I recall In the EP Chrisys Date, that jack made her feel bad when joking about the idea of her being mistaken for a hooker, and then feelling like crap himself when he made her cry. Then he tries to knock out the guy who insulted her. As U may recall, Jack was not a fighter so to stand up to a guy twice his size as James cromwell was, he really must have felt very protective over her.

[treky]

Originally Posted by Smartboy

I am familiar with all of the shows that you compared "Three's Company" with except for "Hot L Baltimore". Could someone please elaborate on what that show was?

this is a little late, but I hope SMARTBOY sees it. "HOT L BALTIMORE" was a short-lived Norman Lear sitcom in the mid 70s about a group of people living in a hotel named the HOTEL BALTIMORE. The E was burned out on the neon sign, though so it read HOT L BALTIMORE. Among the residents there was a gay couple and two prostitutes one of whom was played by Conchita Farwell from "TWO AND A HALF MEN". That's all I remember.

Oh yea, just remembered. I think one of the other residents was a teenage girl who had run away from home, and James Cromwell I remember, played the desk clerk.

I remember it aired on ABC and was originally an off-broadway play.

[Smartboy]

Originally Posted by treky

this is a little late, but I hope SMARTBOY sees it. "HOT L BALTIMORE" was a short-lived Norman Lear sitcom in the mid 70s about a group of people living in a hotel named the HOTEL BALTIMORE. The E was burned out on the neon sign, though so it read HOT L BALTIMORE. Among the residents there was a gay couple and two prostitutes one of whom was played by Conchita Farwell from "TWO AND A HALF MEN". That's all I remember.

Oh yea, just remembered. I think one of the other residents was a teenage girl who had run away from home, and James Cromwell I remember, played the desk clerk.

I remember it aired on ABC and was originally an off-broadway play.

Thank you very much for getting back to me on this issue! I will be sure to check this show out sooner or later.