Suzanne’s departure ruined everything

[groberts]

Once Suzanne Somers left the show in 1981 the show was never the same. They tried to replace her with characters like her cousin Cindy and Terri but they both weren’t anywhere close to Suzanne’s comedic greatness and they tried to make Cindy like her but it only made things worse to the point where they had to replace her since the ratings were going down. I’m currently on season 6 on my binge watch and let me say this has been the most boring and forgettable season due to the storylines were dragged out and uninspiring and Terri is pretty boring and nothing special. I don’t even know what seasons 7 and 8 will be like. I feel that if Suzanne didn’t leave the show would still end at 8 seasons but she would still bring more funny moments and laughs and her departure was basically the end of the show.

[TMC]

Well quite frankly, Suzanne and her husband brought it all on to themselves.

From IMDb:

“Five seasons into the show's very successful run, Suzanne Somers demanded a salary increase from $30,000 per episode to $150,000 per episode, along with 10% ownership of the series, which would continue to pay major income thanks to syndication. The producers and ABC balked at Somers' demands, as she and Joyce DeWitt had pairing clauses in their contracts, meaning that the actresses would receive the same pay for each episode. John Ritter, the obvious star of the show, had a clause in his contract that he would receive the most money out of any of the performers. Faced with incredible cost increases for each episode, the producers denied Somers' demands. She then refused to return to work, claiming a broken rib prevented her from performing, though several members of the wardrobe staff dispute her claim. Somers ended up missing three episodes, which resulted in expensive and hasty rewrites, and infuriated her costars. Rather than fire Somers over her behavior, the producers opted to reduce her part to the notorious minute long epilogue scenes which were filmed away from the rest of the cast. Somers was also banned from visiting the set or interacting with the other actors. When the actress took her grievances public, describing the backstage treatment on various talk shows, the producers fired her. Her tattered reputation also led rival network CBS to drop her from a three series deal Somers had signed during the tense period of negotiations. In essence, she ended up blackballed from television for years.”

During Suzanne Somers contract dispute in 1980, Somers was asking for $150,000 and episode plus 10% ownership in the series. Somers has claimed this is what John Ritter was making. However, in reality Ritter was only making $50,000 an episode in 1980 and had no ownership in the show. This was $20,000 more than Somers and DeWitt. Ritter received more money due to his star billing on the show. Ritter would receive a substantial raise plus ownership when he did the spinoff series Three's A Crowd which featured neither Somers nor DeWitt.”

The bottom-line is that after Suzanne was denied a raise and part ownership of the show, she would show up late to work or not show up at all. The producers put up with it until John and Joyce had enough and refused to film with her. They wouldn’t even be in the same room as her, that is when the character was given those added tag-ons to the end of each episode that were filmed early in the day, before John and Joyce were on set. By the end of the season, she was fired and Chrissy was never heard from again. Keep in mind that John made $50k an episode during Season 5 and Joyce and Suzanne in comparison, made $30k an episode. Suzanne wanted to be paid over $100k an episode. John as far as I know, wasn't even making six figures until the final season (Season 8).

[groberts]

Oh yea totally, I watched the unauthorized story of threes company from 2003 and it showed Suzanne’s husband being a absolute prick towards the producers and ultimately convincing Suzanne that the producers were “under paying her” and she wanted way more that what Johnny was making which was ridiculous since he never did anything bad to her and treated her good. At least she revived her career with the thighmaster.

[BestTVever]

I have mixed feelings about this because the l think the last half season of 4 and the first couple of season 5 Chrissy became annoying. She had bleached blonde hair, wore toddler outfits, and turned into a complete idiot. I fear what a full episode 5 would bring to her character. I think Suzanne's departure followed by the Roper's departure the year earlier hurt the show but it was so great the reset kept it going even though it was not the same.

[groberts]

They did a good job with the ropers leaving with adding Don Knotts who did incredible but Jenilee Harrison and Priscilla Barnes never really amazed me.

[CJMD03]

I can only handle 01-03 Chrissy. 04-05 was unbearable.