Product: Three's Company: Season One (1977)
Rating: 5.0
Come and Knock on Their Door!
Three's Company first hit the airwaves almost 26 years ago, and it presented its North American viewers with a comedic styling that was truly fresh and new. Both the brilliance and the downside of the series lay in the simplicity of its plots. Usually, the fun and mayhem of the episodes would result from some sort of mixup or misunderstanding would occur which caused a friction, obstacle or problem that the characters would have to overcome. Ultimately, the misunderstanding would always be resolved, leaving the beloved cast of characters pretty much as we found them. But as with all great comedies, the show's strength and uniqueness really did lie in the mix of the show's central characters and the actors that portrayed them. The original casting of John Ritter, Joyce DeWitt and Suzzane Somers as Jack, Janet & Chrissy - the three roommates of apartment 201 - is perfect right from the start. Add to this mix Norman Fell and Audra Lindley as the romantically frustrated landlords Mr. & Mrs. Roper, and you're set for one wild ride of a show. What truly is unique about the series is the fact that the show really was an ensemble piece - and when you revisit this series, you really do find that no one actor rose above the rest. All of the actors involved in the show shared a particular gift for comedy, especially the late John Ritter, whose timing, pratfalls and physical comedy truly were second to none. All-in-all, it adds up to a great series that really has the power to make you laugh. The show didn't start off so smoothly however, as the casting of the female leads took awhile. In fact, three pilots were shot, all involving different actresses, but all involving John Ritter as Jack Tripper. As such, the first season of the series, which is only six episodes long, didn't premiere until March of 1977. And now the entire first season of this series came out on DVD and in spite of a lack of extras, Three's Company is worth adding to any DVD collection.