The argument that "Three's Company" is a hit '80s sitcom that hasn't aged well

[TMC]

https://www.looper.com/2156045/hit-8...not-aged-well/

BY CHRIS HODGES
APRIL 27, 2026 5:18 PM EST

Just as there are 1980s movie hits that haven't aged well, some of the most beloved TV shows from that decade are also tough to revisit now. Outdated humor that has subsequently — and rightfully — been deemed offensive is usually the assumed reason when considering why '80s media might have aged poorly, and there is certainly some of that here. But it's not the only criteria for this list by a long shot, and there are some reasons why these shows aren't particularly timeless that might surprise you.

Pop culture had a particularly strong identity in the '80s, one that ensured a lot of television from that era became horribly dated not long into the '90s. Sometimes that can serve as a fun time capsule for a bygone era, but there are examples here where it just makes the shows — to borrow a modern phrase, which is apropos for the spirit of this list — cringeworthy. In other cases, there are certain social values that just aren't viewed the same way now as they were in the '80s, which even makes shows that were rather progressive in their day tough to revisit.

And beyond all that, sometimes shows that were hits in the '80s weren't even particularly good at the time, which became apparent as soon as the fans of those shows stopped being easily impressed 8-year-olds.

Three's Company



The very premise of "Three's Company" got things off on the wrong foot. A man named Jack Tripper (John Ritter) tries to share an apartment with two female roommates, but their landlord won't allow such a sinful arrangement. So Jack tells the landlord he is gay, thus ensuring that there won't be any funny business between him and his roommates. And of course, in order to keep up the lie, Jack has to "act gay" around the landlord. Cue shallow stereotypes and cheap gags at the expense of so-called "gay" behavior. That said, "Three's Company" won a surprising number of awards, so what do we know?

But that's not where the badly aged elements of "Three's Company" stop. The show also doesn't have a particularly high opinion of women, either. The blondes are ditzy airheads, the brunettes are buzzkill feminists, and pretty much all of them are just prizes to be won by both Jack and neighbor Larry (Richard Kline), the latter of whom in particular is all about bedding them quick and sending them packing before pesky feelings get involved. And, no, Larry never learns any lessons from that behavior, nor is he particularly vilified for it.

To top it all off, the humor just isn't particularly timeless anyway. An ongoing gag — one that happens at least once per episode, if not multiple times — is that two people are engaged in a completely innocent activity, but are saying things that sound naughty to the person in the next room who happens to overhear them. When that isn't happening, Mr. Roper (Norman Fell) is probably going on about what a nagging harpy his wife is. Ah, the good old days, when every sitcom husband seemed to despise his wife for no apparent reason.

[BestTVever]

I love the 1970s so none of this matters to me. One thing that was not mentioned was gay people were laughed at and men could do drag and people think they were women. The women only seemed to still be secretaries, flower shop workers and even a nurse. The 1970s were a magical time. It was the last decade before everything changed from technology and social norms.

[Chocolate Moose]

That's what it was then.

[TMC]

Originally Posted by TMC

https://www.looper.com/2156045/hit-8...not-aged-well/

I really hate to nitpick, but if you actually watched the end of the pilot, "Man of the House", you'll see that was Janet (not Jack himself) who first came up with idea that Jack was "gay" in order to convince Mr. Roper to let him live with her and Chrissy.

Also, if you're going to call the blondes "ditzy airheads", then I suppose that Terri by definition, is being grouped up alongside Chrissy and Cindy. This is despite the fact that Terri as a character, was far more sophisticated, mature, and levelheaded than the other blonde women on the show.

[DEH55]

the clothes, the gay bashing and the sexism. but making fun of gay people was popular back then right or wrong. most people were not complaining about it back then. the ratings were great.

The most annoying thing i find is that the girls had no interest in fooling around with Jack. they seemed so prudish. they were horrified if Jack came in their rooms or jumped on their beds or showed interest in them. back in those days i think there would have been action going on if it were realistic.

[thejasoomian]

I think season 1 and 2 Chrissy would have been up for some fooling around with Jack but in later seasons she would get annoyed if he even caught a glimpse of her body.

Janet- forget about her ever fooling around with Jack, she would have just come up with some lame reason why they shouldn't.

Terri - maybe because Jack was attracted to her. Plus she did ask the question to Janet if Jack ever made a pass at her. And she repiled her either which she seemed disappointed.

Cindy- nah he would have ended up in the hospital.

[ClarenceAlabama]

Originally Posted by thejasoomian

I think season 1 and 2 Chrissy would have been up for some fooling around with Jack but in later seasons she would get annoyed if he even caught a glimpse of her body.

Janet- forget about her ever fooling around with Jack, she would have just come up with some lame reason why they shouldn't.

Terri - maybe because Jack was attracted to her. Plus she did ask the question to Janet if Jack ever made a pass at her. And she repiled her either which she seemed disappointed.

Cindy- nah he would have ended up in the hospital.

I don't think Janet or Terri would do anything with Jack.

Chrissy admitted to Janet in one of the earlier episodes that she would hook up with Jack.

Cindy was ready to marry Jack and have his babies.

Those Snows...

[BestTVever]

Originally Posted by ClarenceAlabama

I don't think Janet or Terri would do anything with Jack.

Chrissy admitted to Janet in one of the earlier episodes that she would hook up with Jack.

Cindy was ready to marry Jack and have his babies.

Those Snows...

I don't know. If Jack puts on a fake mustache Terri is his

[ClarenceAlabama]

Originally Posted by BestTVever

I don't know. If Jack puts on a fake mustache Terri is his

You're right! I forgot about that.