Three's Company

Two single women, Janet and Chrissy, share a sunny Santa Monica apartment and decide to rent a spare room after their former roommate leaves town. They meet Jack Tripper, a friendly, a bit clumsy guy who passes out in their bathtub after a going-away party. The catch is that to keep their strict landlady from getting wind of the odd living arrangement, Jack has to pretend he is gay, a ruse that allows him to stay while the girls juggle secrecy and etiquette. What follows is a string of comic close calls, mistaken identities, and slapstick chases around the apartment building as friendship, loyalty, and a little romance collide. Behind the laughs are genuine moments of support as Janet and Chrissy balance work and dating, while Jack tries to prove he can be independent without breaking their trust. Its animated humor, bright setting, and quick banter helped define a late 70s TV tone.

An American adaptation of the British hit Man About the House, Three's Company debuted on ABC in 1977. The series stars John Ritter with Joyce DeWitt, Priscilla Barnes, Don Knotts, and Richard Kline. Its animated humor, bright setting, and quick banter helped define a late 70s TV tone.

During its run the show earned recognition from major awards, reflecting its broad audience appeal. Its ensemble cast drew praise and the series became a familiar presence in the awards conversation of its era.

Three's Company became a time capsule of late 70s humor, influencing how audiences saw roommates and social mores on TV. Its witty ensemble and physical comedy left a lasting imprint on sitcoms and spurred parodies and familiar tropes that linger in pop culture.

Critics generally praised its brisk pacing and the camaraderie among Jack, Janet, and the roommates, while noting its light tone and reliance on situational humor. The show explores friendship, privacy, and romance within a chaotic but affectionate shared home.