Decades may have passed since Three’s Company graced our screens, but its laughter still echoes in our hearts.
With unforgettable characters and side-splitting misunderstandings, this classic sitcom revolutionized the genre. Now, Joyce DeWitt reveals what really made the show a timeless treasure…
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From the hilarious antics of three single roommates to the unforgettable performances of John Ritter and Suzanne Somers, Three’s Company remains a beloved staple of American television. It’s hard to believe it’s been 40 years since the series finale aired on ABC, yet its charm and humor still resonate today.
To illustrate how long ago Three’s Company became a hit, I just watched the intro. Seeing the shots from Santa Monica Pier during the show’s prime reminds me of how much has changed since they filmed there.
Sadly, neither John Ritter nor Suzanne Somers are with us anymore; both were taken from us far too soon. But keeping the spirit of Three’s Company alive is Joyce DeWitt, 75, who shares her vibrant stories and cherished memories from the beloved show.
”The most dear, precious, tender – and utterly unexpected – experiences that have come from working in ‘Three’s Company’ are the many, many adults who have told me that ‘Three’s Company’ was a safe haven they could count on during their teen years – for some, the only safe haven,” Joyce DeWitt told US Weekly.
Joyce DeWitt circa 1978. (Photo by Images Press/IMAGES/Getty Images)
Starring as Janet Wood alongside John Ritter and Suzanne Somers, DeWitt became a television icon and she was such a day brightener for millions.
She appeared in 171 episodes of the show between 1976 and 1984.
“It was such a gift. I mean, it was iconic. But who would have thought it?” Joyce DeWitt told The Spec. “All we were trying to do was make people laugh. When I think about it, the show was really an attempt to do a contemporary version of a 16th-century farce. It was about silliness running wild. I mean, we were talking about serious issues at times, but that was always somewhere underneath.”
“John Ritter used to say, ‘We don’t want people to just laugh but to fall over their couch laughing,’” she added. “The real issue was always the depth of friendship and the love those characters had for each other. That’s what drew people to them.”
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After Three’s Company ended, DeWitt stepped away from the spotlight for over a decade before making her comeback to acting.
Yet, no matter what she has accomplished or plans to do in the future, the vast majority will always connect her with that iconic show. And there’s a very simple reason for that, according to DeWitt.
“It was a ‘time out’ from the oppressive, challenging, difficult circumstances they were navigating in their young lives,” DeWitt says and adds:
“And, oh by the way, they say the characters also did stupid, crazy stuff that made them laugh. But it was the love, trust and support of the characters, one to the other, that made them lifelong fans.”
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When you look at unedited photos from the Three’s Company set, the camaraderie among the cast shines through, especially in the images of Joyce DeWitt and Suzanne Somers, who played the beloved Chrissy Snow.
Both actresses delivered iconic performances, portraying young women navigating a male-dominated industry. They contributed just as much to the show’s success as John Ritter, and in those early days, their smiles in photos tell a story of friendship and collaboration.
Yet, beneath the laughter, tensions simmered. While Somers was celebrated for her role as “the dumbest blonde in America,” her fight for equal pay created rifts that would grow over time. As she demanded a 500% salary increase — from $30,000 to $150,000 — her relationship with DeWitt became strained. The set, once filled with joy, was now fraught with conflict.
Dollar Tree Makes Shocking Announcement, That Leaves Customers Fuming
Inflation has hit the United States hard, with a shocking 4.2 percent rate in July, the highest in decades. This economic pressure has forced businesses, incIuding Dollar Tree, known for selling items at $1, to make significant adjustments.
Dollar Tree faced a decline in stock prices, dropping nearly seventeen percent in one trading session, as it grappled with rising shipping costs and the need to combat inflation. Dollar Tree’s decision to sell items for more than a dollar came after investors saw a hit of $1.50 to $1.60 per share of profits, a substantiaI blow for a retailer focused on the one-dollar price point.
The company cited the economic challenges posed by inflation and the pandemic as reasons for the pricing adjustments. CEO Michael Witynski acknowledged the shift in a prepared statement, stating, For decades, our customers have enjoyed the ‘thrill-of-the-hunt’ for vaIue at one dollar – and we remain committed to that core proposition – but many are telling us that they also want a broader product assortment when they come to shop.
Despite the drop in stock prices, Dollar Tree emphasized its commitment to providing value to customers. Witynski stated, We will continue to be fierceIy protective of that promise, regardless of the price point, whether it is $1.00, $1.25, $1.50.
The announcement sparked mixed reactions among customers, with concerns about the impact of the price change on the store’s appeal. While the stock prices have shown signs of recovery, the decision to sell items for more than a dollar raises questions about whether customers will continue to shop at Dollar Tree.
In a market where consumer goods are becoming more expensive due to increased shipping costs and inflation, retailers face the challenging task of balancing prices to remain competitive and meet customer expectations. Whether Dollar Tree can navigate these economic challenges whiIe retaining its customer base remains to be seen.
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