How come there were never any location shots - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 07-21-2023, 04:59 AM

Unless I missed something, it seemed like the only time that they went out on location for Three's Company instead of shooting everything on a soundstage was during the opening credits, when we would see Jack, Janet and company (no pun intended) go to beach, pier, or zoo. We do see an on location shot in the "Moving On" episode, which is actually the pilot for The Ropers, but has since been added to Three's Company's syndication package.

BestTVever · 07-21-2023, 07:01 AM

All true but that is fairly common in sitcoms both new and old. Its all shot on a set. Its actually rare to see true outdoor scenes in sitcoms. Besides when the Ropers went looking for a house, we see more outdoor scenes in the Ropers episode when Jenny comes. Mr Roper is in a parking lot talking on a pay phone. Later Mrs Roper and Jenny join Mr Roper in the parking lot and we see Mr Roper drive away.
Mamas Family also had brief outdoor scenes when Mama learns to drive, Mama runs for mayor, and when Mama buys a car.

stevea · 07-21-2023, 10:14 AM

Single camera sitcoms are more likely to go on location at times. Multi camera ones are mostly always shot on the soundstage.

thejasoomian · 07-23-2023, 03:35 PM

On the episode "Days Of Beers and Weeds" there was a outdoor scene in the garden. Not sure if that was really outside though. Probably not.

i29u · 07-23-2023, 04:29 PM

Three's Company had a live audience, which would have made location shots impossible, unless they did away with the live audience for that episode (or for that part of an episode). Compare The Andy Griffith Show (no live audience, lots of outdoor shots) with what was in a lot of ways its "sister" show, The Dick Van Dyke Show (live audience, practically no outdoor shots).

Superswiper · 07-23-2023, 05:02 PM

I always thought it would be cool to have an episode or two where they are at the beach shown in the original intro.

Mace Dolex · 07-24-2023, 12:01 AM

In a way it's a relief they never did the cliche Hawaii episode that every sitcom did, I mean just think the trio could barely come up with the monthly rent how would they afford to travel?

Quote:

Originally Posted by thejasoomian

On the episode "Days Of Beers and Weeds" there was a outdoor scene in the garden. Not sure if that was really outside though. Probably not.

Yeah that looked shot on a soundstage, the shrubbery was probably decoration but the backdrop looked fake.

07-21-2023, 04:59 AM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 126,962	How come there were never any location shots Unless I missed something, it seemed like the only time that they went out on location for Three's Company instead of shooting everything on a soundstage was during the opening credits, when we would see Jack, Janet and company (no pun intended) go to beach, pier, or zoo. We do see an on location shot in the "Moving On" episode, which is actually the pilot for The Ropers, but has since been added to Three's Company's syndication package.

07-23-2023, 04:29 PM	#5
i29u Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jan 05, 2004 Posts: 237	Three's Company had a live audience, which would have made location shots impossible, unless they did away with the live audience for that episode (or for that part of an episode). Compare The Andy Griffith Show (no live audience, lots of outdoor shots) with what was in a lot of ways its "sister" show, The Dick Van Dyke Show (live audience, practically no outdoor shots).
	Last edited by i29u; 07-23-2023 at 04:33 PM. Reason: spacing, adding info

07-21-2023, 07:01 AM	#2
BestTVever Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 29, 2021 Location: Miami Posts: 1,936	All true but that is fairly common in sitcoms both new and old. Its all shot on a set. Its actually rare to see true outdoor scenes in sitcoms. Besides when the Ropers went looking for a house, we see more outdoor scenes in the Ropers episode when Jenny comes. Mr Roper is in a parking lot talking on a pay phone. Later Mrs Roper and Jenny join Mr Roper in the parking lot and we see Mr Roper drive away. Mamas Family also had brief outdoor scenes when Mama learns to drive, Mama runs for mayor, and when Mama buys a car.

07-21-2023, 10:14 AM	#3
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,942	Single camera sitcoms are more likely to go on location at times. Multi camera ones are mostly always shot on the soundstage.

07-23-2023, 03:35 PM	#4
thejasoomian Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 15, 2019 Posts: 329	On the episode "Days Of Beers and Weeds" there was a outdoor scene in the garden. Not sure if that was really outside though. Probably not.

07-23-2023, 05:02 PM	#6
Superswiper Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 14, 2016 Location: United States Posts: 192	I always thought it would be cool to have an episode or two where they are at the beach shown in the original intro.