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.
People were speechless when they saw what emerged from the sea
A profound sense of astonishment gripped onlookers as an extraordinary sight emerged from the depths of the sea along the Romanian coast. The tranquil waters revealed a wounded dolphin, its plight capturing the attention of unsuspecting tourists.
Efforts were made to rescue the distressed marine mammal, but regrettably, its fate was sealed. Experts identified the creature as a member of the Delphinus Delphis species, a species known to inhabit the Black Sea.
Upon closer examination, the dolphin displayed multiple wounds on its body, likely inflicted by the ensnaring nets of fishermen. The Black Sea is home to three distinct species of marine mammals: the Common dolphin (Delphinus delphis ponticus), the Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus ponticus), and the Harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena relicta).
Diverging in morpho-anatomical features and primary food sources, these species exhibit unique characteristics. The Bottlenose dolphin and Harbor porpoise primarily feed on fish and benthic organisms, while the Common dolphin’s diet encompasses fish and other organisms found within the water column.
Each species displays a preference for specific habitats, with the first two favoring coastal areas and the Common dolphin being commonly encountered in offshore zones. The Common dolphin is characterized by a bluish-gray to brown color on its dorsal side, featuring a distinct V-shaped lateral boundary that is remarkably light. A pigmented band, varying in darkness, connects the lower jaw to the insertion of the pectoral fins. The dorsal, pectoral, and caudal fins range from black to gray-brown.
Newborns measure around 0.80-0.95 m, with adults in the Black Sea not exceeding 2 m (males – 177 cm, females – 159 cm). Highly sensitive to chemical and acoustic pollution, they exhibit social behaviors, forming groups of 10-15 individuals, as well as pairs or isolated individuals. With rapid swimming capabilities, reaching speeds of approximately 50 km/h, they engage in short-duration dives and frequent surface breathing at intervals of 1/3 seconds. Their habitat extends to depths of up to 70 meters.
Sexual maturity is reached at the age of 2 years, and the gestation period is 10 months, with weaning occurring at 4 months. Displaying highly developed maternal instincts, their lifespan is estimated to be 25-30 years. Their primary diet comprises small pelagic fish such as sprat, anchovy, and gobies, along with crustaceans.
Additionally, their stomachs often contain other species like horse mackerel, cod, bluefish, red mullet, sea bass, shrimp, and mollusks. The daily food intake for these remarkable creatures is approximately 10 kg.
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