Three’s Company remains a beloved classic for many, and the chemistry between its cast was pure gold. Sadly, we’ve lost two of its stars — John Ritter and Suzanne Somers — but their unforgettable performances continue to live on through reruns and iconic clips.
Recently, one particular clip has gone viral, stirring up emotions in fans all over again. But why?
Three’s Company thrived on misunderstandings and slapstick humor, built on a simple yet hilarious premise: two beautiful 20‑something women, played by Joyce DeWitt and Suzanne Somers, and one bumbling man, played by John Ritter, living platonically in an apartment in Santa Monica. To keep their nosy landlords at bay, Jack (Ritter) pretended to be gay, creating endless comedic moments filled with innuendo and confusion.
From 1977 to 1983, Three’s Company was a top‑ten hit, adored by critics and audiences alike. Hard as it is to believe, 40 years after the show wrapped, it still has the power to spark strong reactions.
And now, one particular scene from Season 5 is getting a surge of attention — igniting conversation and dividing opinions. What is it about this episode that has everyone talking? Well, you’ll have to stick around to find out…
A Crowded Romance
“A Crowded Romance” was the fifth episode of Season 5 and the 83rd episode overall. Written by Mark Tuttle and directed by Dave Powers, it originally aired on December 2, 1980. In the episode, Larry (Richard Kline) meets a woman he believes is “the one,” so he asks Janet (Joyce DeWitt) to send her flowers.
Janet then asks Jack (John Ritter) to deliver them. After meeting her, Jack agrees she’s perfect — but things take a turn when both Jack and Larry end up dating her, each unaware the other is doing the same.
The situation escalates when Larry brings her to Jack’s new job, setting off a chain of drama, miscommunication, and classic Three’s Company chaos.
What makes the episode stand out?
This episode has a surprisingly interesting backstory. It was the first one taped for Season 5, but not the first to air.
Die‑hard fans will notice Suzanne Somers is nowhere to be seen in “A Crowded Romance.” But before assuming it was due to her contract dispute, there’s more to the story.
The 1980 Screen Actors Guild and AFTRA strike halted TV and film production that summer. Three’s Company’s schedule was pushed from July to October. The show premiered in early November, creating a tight turnaround. Meanwhile, Suzanne had already booked a stage show at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas for September and October. When the strike ended, her Vegas commitments overlapped with the show’s taping schedule.
To avoid conflict, producers wrote her out of this episode and moved its air date to the fifth slot of the season.
Ironically, by the time it aired, her contract dispute had already begun — leading to her absence in several episodes that followed. In a way, this episode unintentionally marks the beginning of her departure from the show.
Why was Suzanne Somers fired?
In 1981, equal pay wasn’t a mainstream conversation. But Suzanne Somers pushed for it anyway. She asked for a 500% raise — from $30,000 per week to $150,000 — matching John Ritter’s salary.
Producers refused, and she was fired.
“I’ve been playing what I think is one of the best dumb blondes that’s ever been done, but I never got any credit,” she told The New York Times. “I did it so well that everyone thought I really was a dumb blonde.”
The nudge — comedy gold or cringe?
With Suzanne absent, Joyce DeWitt took center stage in “A Crowded Romance,” wearing her iconic blue shorts and pink blouse. Janet finds herself in one of the many comedic predicaments that made the show a fan favorite.
In the now‑viral clip, Janet encourages Jack to do wake‑up exercises. Jack jokes that he’s already done “20 hair combs and two sets of teeth brushing” and doesn’t want to “overtrain.”
Moments later, Jack gives Janet a playful nudge on the backside, prompting her to respond, “I hate when you do that.”
While it was played for laughs at the time, many viewers today say the moment wouldn’t make it past modern standards. TikTok reactions have been mixed — some nostalgic, others critical.
One user wrote, “I haven’t watched this since I was a kid, never realized how inappropriate Jack was! 🤣” Another replied, “It was funny stupid humor! Unfortunately gone today 😔.”
But others were harsher: “A full‑on predator,” one comment read, reflecting how humor from the ’70s and ’80s often pushed boundaries that wouldn’t fly today.
Did Jack and Janet share a hairdresser?
Beyond the slap, fans noticed something else: Jack and Janet have the exact same haircut. And once you see it, it’s hard to unsee.
Joyce DeWitt’s hairstyles have long been a topic of debate among fans. Some loved her sleek, full look in the middle seasons, while others preferred her earlier cuts. Her Season 1 style was even compared to the famous “Dorothy Hamill haircut.”
One fan wrote: “Janet (Joyce DeWitt) had the best hair. It was so thick and shiny and beautiful. But how did it get thin and curly at the beginning of the show, then go back to straight and thick? What was up with that??”
The magic behind Joyce DeWitt’s hair
Her signature look was crafted by New York freelancer Harry King, who cut short, even layers all around her head for a light, airy feel. He added extra thickness and length at the neck to balance her face. The result was a wash‑and‑wear style that fell perfectly into place with minimal effort.
Bloop or Nope? The “Set Top” debate
Eagle‑eyed fans spotted what they thought was a blooper in “A Crowded Romance.”
“Anyone else notice you can see the top of the set when he talks about the job?” one viewer asked.
While on‑set slip‑ups are common — equipment in the shot, props appearing unexpectedly — this one seems to be more of a misunderstanding than a true blooper.
