The Three's Company Moment That Aged Poorly

[TMC]

https://www.looper.com/836292/the-th...t-aged-poorly/

While the show did have quite a few heartfelt moments, modern audiences would likely reject some aspects of the series. For one, the entire premise of the sitcom hinges on Jack pretending to be gay to live with Chrissy and Janet. Due to this, most episodes are laced with homophobic lines. For instance, one of the final scenes in Season 5, Episode 2, titled "And Justice For Jack," has aged poorly for this very reason. However, this is not the only reason the episode is offensive, especially by modern standards.

Jack was sexually harassed



The entirety of "And Justice For Jack" is questionable. The episode focuses on Jack having issues after being hired to be a diner cook. During his first shift, his female boss sexually harasses him, which is supposed to be humorous, as evidenced by the laugh track. When he returns to his apartment, he tells Janet and his friend Larry Dallas (Richard Kline) that she forcefully groped him. While Janet and Larry find the incident funny, they encourage him to speak to his manager. He takes their advice and lets his boss know that she has made him uncomfortable. She responds by promptly firing him.

Jack decides to take legal action against her. Unfortunately, his female lawyer also sexually harasses him. He hires a different attorney, but the judge brands Jack as a womanizer and dismisses his case. His landlord, Ralph Furley (Don Knotts), attempts to help by proclaiming that his tenant is not interested in women and therefore, did not want his boss's advances. Before he can do so, the chef covers his mouth and says he lied about the sexual harassment, implying that he would rather be accused of perjury than be viewed as gay.

It is later revealed that Jack got hired at another job. When Janet asks about his day, he makes a joke about sexually harassing his boss's daughter, accompanied by a laugh track. At this moment, the show appears to be doubling down on the upsetting belief that sexual harassment is a laughing matter.

[BestTVever]

Its a comedy show. Its not meant to be taken seriously and is light hearted. Threes Company never did one of those "serious shows" that most 80s comedies did now and then. I am thankful for that.
Sexual harassment is not funny but comedy has a right to poke fun at just about anything. Earlier episodes always showed the girls getting sexually harassed. It was a new take and yes funny to see Jack have to deal with it.
I have to disagree with your post. Threes Company is not supposed to change the world. Its just suppose to make you smile and laugh a little. Making fun of gay people is not funny but Jack was not gay. That was part of the joke. You can laugh at Mr Roper's stupidity just like you laugh at Archie Bunker's bigotry.

[Wawwie]

That picture is not from "And Justice For Jack." The picture is from "Jack's Other Mother."

BTW, I also think it's outrageous that Jack's sexual harassment wasn't taken seriously at all.

[BestTVever]

I think its a mistake to take situations from 40 year old make believe sitcoms and judge them by today's standards in real life. Its comedy and what made Threes Company cutting edge and hysterical was situations just like this sexual harassment episode. Its a sitcom, it would have been a mistake to turn it into a real life reality. If anything the episode demonstrated that men could be sexually harassed too which was NEVER covered on TV before. That alone proves the episode was nothing else but brilliant!

[TheLittleFaerie]

Many things are offensive by today's standards, but it was a different time, I just don't judge it by today's standards. LGBTQ ppl could be VERY offended, 99% of the time when gay or trans ppl are talked about in the show it's in a negative way, gay ppl were always the butt of the joke, being gay was something you should NOT want to be

[BestTVever]

Originally Posted by TheLittleFaerie

Many things are offensive by today's standards, but it was a different time, I just don't judge it by today's standards. LGBTQ ppl could be VERY offended, 99% of the time when gay or trans ppl are talked about in the show it's in a negative way, gay ppl were always the butt of the joke, being gay was something you should NOT want to be

Times change. Before the 70s gay people were never even acknowledged on TV. I think its ok to laugh at bigotry though and makes it easier for people to accept. All in the Family and Maude were pioneers with key gay episodes trying to defy gay stereotypes. However even in the 80s gay stereotypes were in full bloom even in gay friendly TV sitcoms. On the Golden Girls it was ridiculous for Dorothy's gay friend not to be able to control herself and want to make moves on Rose. Even Sophia talks negatively towards Dorothy's friend because she is gay. But its for comedy and comedy really should not have boundaries.
I think real life is where the focus should be. Its hard to believe but just 20 years ago Ellen lost a sitcom over uttering the words "I'm Gay." Wendys and other corporations pulled advertising from the show and Ellen almost lost her career.
Today there are so many gay shows and characters on TV its not really a big deal. But you must take baby steps to get there. In the 70s and 80s the talk shows had gay people as guests and were treated like aliens with entire shows like Donahue, Oprah, and Sally asking gay people a bunch of dumb questions.

[TVFactFan]

The sexual harrassment was kind of weird since she did it all out in the open lol


And Jack didnt need to go to court for a sandwich shop job

[Wawwie]

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

The sexual harrassment was kind of weird since she did it all out in the open lol


And Jack didnt need to go to court for a sandwich shop job

It was the principle. Jack's boss sexually assaulted him (illegal) and fired him because he wouldn't submit to her demands (also illegal.) It is a travesty that Jack's claims of abuse were not taken seriously in court simply because he's a man. He was also discriminated against and never did receive any justice.

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by Wawwie

It was the principle. Jack's boss sexually assaulted him (illegal) and fired him because he wouldn't submit to her demands (also illegal.) It is a travesty that Jack's claims of abuse were not taken seriously in court simply because he's a man. He was also discriminated against and never did receive any justice.

But why didnt he let furley help him win the case and let him tell the judge that he is gay lol He could have told the boss he was gay

[Wawwie]

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

But why didnt he let furley help him win the case and let him tell the judge that he is gay lol He could have told the boss he was gay

He should have won the case regardless of being gay or not. His sexuality wasn't the issue. The fact that he was assaulted and wrongfully terminated was the issue. That judge was a hag. She reminded me of those sexist cops who blame women for wearing makeup and pretty clothes for the actions of perverted men. In Jack's case, he was assaulted by a perverted woman.

[BestTVever]

Originally Posted by Wawwie

He should have won the case regardless of being gay or not. His sexuality wasn't the issue. The fact that he was assaulted and wrongfully terminated was the issue. That judge was a hag. She reminded me of those sexist cops who blame women for wearing makeup and pretty clothes for the actions of perverted men. In Jack's case, he was assaulted by a perverted woman.

That was the comedy of it. How boring for a serious ruling. However in the 70s it was unheard of that a man could be sexually harassed. Still today its not taken very seriously. Comedy has wide latitude in scripts. Since when are things taken seriously on Threes Company?

[Wawwie]

Originally Posted by BestTVever

That was the comedy of it. How boring for a serious ruling. However in the 70s it was unheard of that a man could be sexually harassed. Still today its not taken very seriously. Comedy has wide latitude in scripts. Since when are things taken seriously on Threes Company?

I don't find humor in men being sexually assaulted and then dismissed when they seek justice. I guess that's just me.

[BestTVever]

Originally Posted by Wawwie

I don't find humor in men being sexually assaulted and then dismissed when they seek justice. I guess that's just me.

Then how do you watch comedy shows because there are worse scenarios that are even more trivialized for humor. The woke culture is now trying to rewind time and attack innocent sitcoms. Last year Hulo banned the Golden Girls episode where Blanch and Rose had mud on their face. The joke was the black woman thought Dorothy was a housekeeper because she was white and Blanch and Rose were Michael's parents. It was a reverse stereotype and was funny. Yet it gets attacked by today's standards. If this sexual harassment episode bothered you, Lord help you if you watch anything from All In The Family. A comic's job is to make people laugh. Its simple light humor. You are taking it way too serious. I would never want to live in a world that you want to live in.

[Wawwie]

Originally Posted by BestTVever

I would never want to live in a world that you want to live in.

Ditto

[Dude111]

Originally Posted by BestTVever

Its a comedy show. Its not meant to be taken seriously and is light hearted.......

No one understands that now,all they want is PC garbage on air now!!