Here's The ONE "Three's Company" TV Episode I BET You Have Never SEEN!

[@alfabdall]

RIP Chrissy, Jack, Mr and Mrs Roper, and Mr Ferley.

[@shawnlord5383]

Suzanne Sommers aka Chrissy is still alive.

[@alfabdall]

@@shawnlord5383 Sorry, but she died last year of breast cancer.

[@geriko1]

RIP Lana as well even though she wasn't part of the main cast.

[@alfabdall]

@@geriko1 I loved Lana and Cindy even though they weren't on the show long.

[@vincesmith2499]

@@geriko1 Lana was part of the main cast.

[@bravoninetyseven]

My favorite episode of Three's Company is the one where there is a misunderstanding.

[@lazyhomebody1356]

Agree! And my favorite Gilligan's Island is the one where they have a plan to get off the island

[@stuartm6069]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@TRDOffRoad2020]

​@@lazyhomebody1356that is almost every episode 🤔🤣😎

[@lazyhomebody1356]

@@TRDOffRoad2020 That was the joke!

[@MicDeluxx]

HILARIOUS!!!

[@sallyn2393]

I’m glad they made the changes they did, the chemistry of the cast was perfection. Very happy that you continue to cover Three’s Company. Such a great show!♥️

[@SuperMarioBrosIII]

@Sally N Plus this early pilot was included on the season 2 DVD of Three's Company as a bonus as I recall! Actually their are two-early pilots taped before the one with the cast we are more familiar with. Joyce Dewitt is in the second pilot with a different hairdo also on the season 2 DVD!🤗📺♥👍

[@donkique956]

Too bad greed reared its ugly face.

[@Lospaghetto]

Three pilots? How appropriate

[@GaryTongue-zn5di]

Yes it is if you don't want the plane to crash!

[@kennethsanderson1172]

Three's Company was a remake of a British sitcom called "Man About The House". It spawned two spinoffs, "George and Mildred" (The basis for "The Ropers") and "Robin's Nest" (basis for "Three's A Crowd"). Thanks for posting about this unseen pilot!

[@kjk7611]

MAN ABOUT THE HOUSE aired on American tv in the middle '80s. Late at night. During the period of British porn on cable tv. Although, MATH was broadcast on network tv.

[@kennethsanderson1172]

@@kjk7611 I did not know that! Thanks for the information. 👍

[@kjk7611]

@@kennethsanderson1172 You're welcome.

[@alisummers7984]

I am a huge Threes Company!!! Still watch the reruns

[@sharonmcentee8615]

I felt SO sad when John Ritter died. Ugh. Too soon.

[@IbrahimOuta-q7g]

😢 Susan Sommer

[@annrodriguez2891]

John Ritter was one of the funniest people EVER ❤

[@tyeishaleisure]

I have this pilot on the season 2 boxset as a bonus feature. So glad they made the changes they did. The season 2 boxset has a ton of bonus content including a tribute to John Ritter done by Joyce DeWitt. It’sa documentary about his life and the many shows and movies he was in. There are also episode commentaries for some of the episodes. Highly recommend if fans do want to see the pilot.

[@acalia_sariah]

I own that same box set. I loved seeing the original pilot and comparing the original and the one that aired.

[@satoncho]

It's true you can only see this pilot episode on the dvd's

[@morganm9040]

I've seen both unaired pilots. The final was the best and more polished. Always like when the girl who comes looking at the apartment and Mr Roper's interaction with her. Fun fact: Valerie Curtin is a cousin of Jane Curtin.

[@JhLee-i9g]

She went on to star 9to5 tv series

[@ravenpoe7093]

So, basically John Ritter was always the star and both roommates were dispensable I think im glad they went with the cast they did

[@pavelsarneki354]

Yep. Everyone knew that. 🤓😎✌🏻

[@lazyhomebody1356]

As a child I was a big fan of Janet

[@Amtcboy]

Susanne Zenor was replaced by Susan Lanier, who was replaced by Suzanne Somers. All three have similar names.

[@judithmitchell4667]

Wow. This was a treat Rick. I didn't know anything about this. Thank you so much, my friend. Blessings - Judith 🎭🎵

[@kkachi]

I am pretty sure that the Doo Doo music was not meant to be the theme song. The composer had the music but didn't have the lyrics yet, so they went with what they had.

[@FranSanTeeth90]

You gotta remember John Ritter was one of the first Nepo Babies. His father was a pretty significant Country star and his mom an actress/singer. They knew John had the combined charisma of both hence three pilots. And they were absolutely correct.

[@lazyhomebody1356]

Genetics doesn't always work. My parents were a cheerleader and football hero.

[@FranSanTeeth90]

@@lazyhomebody1356 But they did for Ritter❤️

[@lazyhomebody1356]

@@FranSanTeeth90 I need to look up his Mom. His dad was pretty cool all right

[@kjk7611]

And Ritter was a premadonna.

[@sharonstark1014]

I'm glad they replaced the 2 female characters with Suzanne and Joyce. What a funny show, glad it's still on TV in reruns. RIP SUZANNE AND JOHN

[@TheCrossoverWriter15]

My mom showed me this show when I was small, so I grew up with it! Even to this day, still my favorite comedy series ever!❤

[@mikeobrien6704]

This original pilot had been on You Tube for years until recently.

[@Jared_Wignall]

Unaired pilots are always interesting to watch. Sometimes there’s different cast members involved, names of characters are different, occupations are different or the entire setting is different. Regardless, it’s fascinating to see what Three’s Company looked like before they started to make a full TV show from the pilot. Thank you for the video Rick, keep up the great work and take care!

[@nickimontie]

I would love to see more info about unaired and forgotten pilots! That would be amazing to see.

[@SuperMarioBrosIII]

@@nickimontie Me too like All In the Family's unaired pilot featuring Archie and his well groomed combed head of hair LOL!🤗🤔📺👍

[@kjk7611]

@@SuperMarioBrosIII Was it the unaired pilot with Carroll O'Connor or the earlier unaired pilot with the other actor who played Archie Bunker?

[@winniebae4alwayyz963]

​@@SuperMarioBrosIII *I was just about to comment about that.*

[@im_agine852]

You found the key to the vault. GREAT!!

[@christopherkraft1327]

Hey Rick, I had no clue that this pilot even existed & that it was so different from the series that we are familiar with. I really like the dynamic of all the characters, especially Stanley Roper, I think that Norman Fell had great comedic timing & was very underrated!!! As always my friend, thanks for sharing another great video!!! 👍👍🙂

[@Bigbadwhitecracker]

All in the family also had three pilots. Valerie Curtain, cousin of Jane Curtain, was married to Barry Levinson and starred in the sitcom version of 9 to 5. She's probably better known as a screenwriter today (and justice for all; Best Friends). Suzanne Zenor was on Days of our Lives for a few years. Looks like she left showbiz around 1980 when she got married.

[@Idafan43]

So I don't know if Suzanne's " Days of Our Lives" interfered with this? or Suzanne Somers was the better fit.

[@TotoFrancey]

The "All in the Family" pilot had three pilots made over two networks with a different Mike and Gloria for each pilot. "Three's Company" was by no means the first show to make more than two pilots with several actors involved.

[@pamelamays4186]

Jack Tripper is like Snow White. Wakes up a strange place. Scares the residents living there. Ends up cooking for them.

[@arthuridis]

I think that Suzanne lady looks familiar. She might have been one of the dealers for a time on "Card Sharks" NBC in the 1978-81 time frame. Looks like her.

[@tron3entertainment]

I remember seeing John Ritter on The Dating Game before Three's company. He came out and acted goofy, we laughed and instantly fell in love with him. It was rather surprising when we recognized him on Three's Company.

[@movieedge7370]

Great Video as always Rick I’m sure glad they went with the cast of threes company we know today 👍🏻

[@Corazanaoro]

Awesome, thx for finding this for us to njoy.

[@johnny-becker]

I was lucky enough to see it here on KZbin. Maybe it is still available.

[@craigfazekas3923]

ROPERRRR !!! 🚬😎👍 Btw, Valerie Curtin played a hippy-drippy chick named Skye on an episode of The Rockford Files.

[@Dirtcake71]

I kinda knew about this but I haven't seen it. It's always interesting to see how a show is developed into a finished product. The cast changes were on point in my opinion because they never seemed to lose chemistry. Having Joyce and John stay throughout the duration of the show 100% helped it stay on the air for as long as it did.

[@Blues.Fusion]

No Larry? No Regal Beagle? Yeah that had to change.

[@TeamForwood]

Larry never came on Three's Company until episode 4

[@rudistorm3348]

​@TeamForwood man he must have had blue balls.

[@DebbieCatalano]

I'm catching up on your videos (and having fun doing so!) and had to tell you I really found this one so interesting! I had no idea about this and have never seen it so it was so cool you shared some images from it! Thank you for sharing!

[@bridgetdavis9752]

How delightful! I grew up with this show and had never seen this pilot. TV Guide magazine was huge then and I don't think they even mentioned it. Thank you : )

[@ricknineg]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@dogzilla1960]

Thanks for posting! ❤

[@ianmccluskey1990]

I remember seeing this on tv briefly, but I don’t remember the year it was

[@BATMAN-gh1nf]

It has been several years, but i remember seeing this pilot episode on TV Land whenever they would air Three's Company marathons.

[@e815usa]

Do you have a link to the actual pilot? And do you plan to do one on the unaired pilot #2 and #3?

[@tyeishaleisure]

I don’t believe it’s online. Rick probably has the season 2 boxset which is where you can watch it.

[@markantinozzi8657]

​@@tyeishaleisureI have all eight season

[@theastewart6721]

Wow! I never knew of this pilot! Very different casting and characters. Thanks for sharing Rick. Very interesting!😊

[@johntuttle2825]

Very interesting, Rick. Similar plot though. My parents told me about the spinoff called, "The Ropers." Like I said before my Dad was a big fan of Three's Company! But I don't think he knew about this pilot. There was one episode that we saw only once where Jack is moving in and the door bell goes out and Stanley tries to fix it, and everytime they would ring the doorbell, Stanley would get shocked and yell! Scare everyone. Thinking it was really the sound of the doorbell. Lol. That episode was hardly showed at either. As far as I know. What is interesting to me. In one later episode with Terri, Jack was applying for a job at Angelino's (Could of been Krissy still.) And Jack took the name as "David Miller." He was a chef that everyone was after! Lol. Maybe this is where they got the idea from. I dk. Sadly, few of the stars are deceased now. Thanks! Take care.

[@Blues.Fusion]

Yeah the Ropers had a few good elements like Jeffrey Tambor and of course Norman and Audrey. But it just didn't have enough plot conflict to stay funny.

[@randytim512]

I love this stuff. So cool to know how the cast and characters changed. Glad they recast the girls because they were terrific in their parts Thanks Rick!!

[@kevinpyne5808]

Amazing video. Thanks!

[@cadeevans4623]

Never saw this one Rick I'm glad they made changes and got the right cast and people to play the parts

[@SuperMarioBrosIII]

@Cade Evans Hello Cade both Three's Company pilot episodes are available on the season 2 DVD set! However one episode that is missing from the season 3 DVD is the two-part episode when the Ropers move into a new Apartment building where they meet their new Neighbor Mr. Brooks portrayed by actor Jeffrey Tambor. Also missing is the episode where Mr. Roper wants to throw a surprise birthday party for Mrs. Roper and he invites Jack Chrissy and Janet help him. Brookes see's Chrissy and Janet dancing with Roper and becomes suspicious LOL! These episodes were included with the syndication package of Three's Company however they are technically "The Ropers" episodes! 🤗📺🏠👍

[@cadeevans4623]

Awesome thanks for sharing and telling me about this thanks bud much appreciated

[@SuperMarioBrosIII]

@@cadeevans4623 You are very welcome Cade. Take care!🤗🙏👍👌

[@cadeevans4623]

Thanks very much buddy you take care also

[@kevinmiller6380]

Wonder if Don Knotts' character, Ralph Furley, had a different first name for the pilot episode?

[@dh12.]

What? His character didn't even exist in season one

[@SuperMarioBrosIII]

@@dh12. Season 4 we would be introduced to Ralph Furley. 🤠👍🙏📺

[@lazyhomebody1356]

They were thinking ahead, and his first name was Fred. Fred Furley.

[@Pygar2]

@@lazyhomebody1356 Not Fred Farkle?

[@brianrebmann5398]

very good video and very interesting topic thanks for a great video

[@JayTemple]

The writer is interesting: Larry Gelbart played a large part in making "M*A*S*H" the hit that it was.

[@jehobden]

I've seen both of the unaired pilots, as they were included as extras in the Season 1 & 2 DVD sets. Larry Gelbart, who wrote the 1st pilot, was the original developer of MASH. This plot comes from the pilot of the UK series, MAN ABOUT THE HOUSE. 1 difference between this US pilot & the pilot as aired on tv was that the potential new female roommate for the 2 ladies actually liked Roper poking her chest (because he thought she was David/Jack), where the aired pilot had a very huffy woman who was deeply offended by Roper.

[@joeyrivful]

Thanks for another great video this is something I never knew about.

[@martinbeneteau309]

Very interesting! ABC must have been dedicated to the series to have 3 pilots made. All in the Family ended up with 3 pilots but ABC gave up on it after the second and CBS made the 3rd. (I'm sure they regretted that decision.) Another mistake was letting Suzanne Sommers go. Couldn't they have at least tried to work it out with her? The dynamics of the show were never the same and in my opinion not as good. The changing of the landlords was fine but not getting rid of the Chrissy Snow character. They also should have let the Ropers rejoin the cast when their show failed.

[@lazyhomebody1356]

I know! The Ropers totally could have and should have come back

[@martinbeneteau309]

@@lazyhomebody1356 Yes, even if it was as special guest stars.

[@eugenekozma2697]

Yes the ropers should have been brought back.audra Lindley and Norman fell got a dirty deal.

[@JBIRDRN8]

I had no idea about this so thank you for bringing it to us!

[@StarryDreamer28]

I remember this one being talked about but never seen it

[@LordBeerusHakaiGod]

Once more Rick, you're right. I never saw this, let alone knew it's existence.

[@The_whimsickal_artist]

This unaired pilot is on KZbin, i just watched it

[@robbey10]

The real apartment building was actually not in Santa Monica, they in the very wealthy neighborhood of Rossmore and I would pass them everyday walking from my house on Plymouth st. going to school.

[@iloveejbgssnoopy]

I agree with you Sally and it was a funny show I agree.

[@judd442009]

You are right again, Rick--I never heard about this pilot before. Third time was a charm.

[@74Spirit1]

Suzanne Somers was the current loss for this iconic show.

[@booksbeautylifestyle256]

I never even knew of this. Never seen it before. Wow! Thanks Rick!

[@ericcriddle9098]

I never saw this and I watched 3's company a lot.

[@keithmuir1137]

Thanks Rick! Never seen this pilot. Have to check it out.

[@WingsAsEaglesMinistries]

Never knew this ! Thank you for sharing

[@CoopyKat]

Everyone who loves Three's Company should check out the British version, which is where the American version comes from. It was called Man About the House. It had a spin-off George & Mildred (which inspired The Ropers spin-off from Three's Company). The third show, Three's A Crowd with just Jack and his girlfriend is also based on the British spin-off Robin's Nest, spun off from Man About the House. Those versions are fun to watch because of the cultural differences between the U.S. and the UK.

[@robocock475]

This version would've flopped big time; thank god for Joyce DeWitt and Suzanne Somers

[@enolamsamoht]

It ran from 1976 to 1984. It didn't run in 1970.

[@markswishereatsstuff2500]

I wish there would be a unaired pilot channel to see the bizarro universe of what ifs.

[@HeatherR-u2o]

I'd rather watch reruns of it. TV sitcoms are dead today

[@elizabethharrison7306]

Three Company Love my favorite one fan Big 💖⭐️🎶

[@Saffrondarling]

Saw this episode on Facebook

[@theriddler8695]

I’ve seen both pilots. Loved this show as a kid…still do. Great memories.

[@stephaniej3462]

Thank you. Long time fan of the show. Never seen this. Love your content

[@Tim-57]

Hey Rick Fun video, thank you. Take care

[@bubbadano1508]

Another great video sir. I don't remember exactly where I remember Valerie Curtin from but I always liked her. A beautiful smile and woman.

[@georgiaayres5805]

Wow!! I am sure glad all the changes were made. The series would have never been the same

[@canuck21]

Well I have this on DVD.

[@majorneptunejr]

I see the framed print of the life magazine cover also made it into the actual show.

[@jamesniezgoda5454]

I saw the pilot. So glad they decided to stick with what we are familiar with

[@mgl5104]

All in the family had 3 pilots as well

[@angieburnett4341]

Awesome! I knew about the pilots/other actors but I've never seen all these photos. Thanks so much, my all-time favorite show...I still turn it on when I want to leave the world behind and have a smile. I have a replica of the life magazine frame/pic from the set but I still wonder what happened to the original. Thanks again!! 💕

[@stevenpagnani7005]

There was actually two episodes that was never aired on TV. You have to buy the complete series to see it

[@michaeltaylor1603]

A lot of these shows have to be reworked. Case in point Archie Bunker (Carol O' Conner) wrote that part. Gilligan's Island reworked, there was to be a different Mike Brady & Alice on the Brady Bunch. Now I kinda want to see that episode. Thanks Rick!

[@tj921able]

This was great, TY for sharing it. God Bless You and stay safe

[@FLStelth]

That's Tex Ritter's boy? Isn't it?

[@dwsh1]

Yes.

[@patricial8255]

Rick you are so right! I never saw this episode and never knew any of the information you gave is today. How do you get this stuff? It is so awesome knowing these tid bits 😂

[@christopherramon-reid2000]

The pilots are on the 3s Company DVDs. There are no secret “connections”

[@rickyn1135]

I’m sorry Rick I forgot I dropped you from Patreon when I started ll my health issues. Will renue in June .

[@leslieo5947]

Very interesting, I did not know this.

[@canadaman6191]

thank gosh they changed it

[@eastkingstonnh]

Didn't realize Larey Gelbart wrote the pilot. He is of MASH fame.

[@kimmoore6445]

Never knew, thanks for sharing

[@BATMAN-gh1nf]

It has been a while, but this pilot episode has aired before. When TV Land and other networks would air Three's Company marathons, this original pilot episode was often included, and/or the pilot episode of the British "Man About The House."

[@-greentoad]

I think you're right that it's aired before. Because I remember that pink bathrobe and remember David (John Ritter) sleeping in the tub. And the different girls. Not sure when or where but I'm sure it aired at some point as well.

[@johntuttle2825]

I know they had a couple of pilots of the Original Star Trek too. The Cage and something else. Not sure this is true though.

[@stuartm6069]

"The Cage" was the first pilot for Star Trek. They eventually reused it in the 2 part episode "The Menagerie". The second pilot was titled "Where No Man Has Gone Before" featuring Gary Lockwood and Sally Kellerman. Lucille Ball (who owned Desilu Studios where Star Trek was filmed) convinced NBC to order a second pilot. So we have Lucille Ball to thank for the history that became Star Trek.

[@johntuttle2825]

I knew about the Menagerie. My Dad thought "Where no Man has gone before." Was the better pilot. I like both of them myself. I only found out recently that Lucy and Desi were responsible for NBC keeping Star Trek on the air. Thank you!

[@MicahThomason]

How do I get the connections to watch the pilot, Rick?

[@timbragg4546]

Threes Company was based on a British sitcom Man of the House.

[@gailwatson4927]

Wow! Thanks Rick. Loved it.

[@MsBackstager]

I noticed that on the TV was a picture of NYC kiddie show host SONNY FOX.

[@LyleFrancisDelp]

Good show from my high school years. Rip off from the BritCom “Man About the House”

[@lazyhomebody1356]

Now, now. It was "inspired by"

[@badcompany-w6s]

I'm glad they finally came up with some lyrics for the theme song.

[@oantech4252]

Janet and Chrissy look more like Southern California girls than these two.. Just saying..

[@tankzilla6785]

How about this old mate the original show was done in UK it was called man about the house and the sequel was called Robin's nest, just like Archie Bunker first started in the UK as well as the Ted Knight show also was a spinoff from a UK show check it out you be amazed

[@lazyhomebody1356]

The UK version is good but not as funny. I love that Robin was best friends with the sexy blond one and madly in love with the intellectual quiet brunette!

[@EdgedShadow]

Where did you find the episode?

[@lazyhomebody1356]

Season 2 dvd set, according to the comments

[@pamelamays4186]

I enjoyed hearing John Ritter's voice as Clifford The Big Red Dog.

[@mdooms76]

Wow I would have never watched this show if that was the cast. 3s Company is one of my favorite shows of all time with Jack, Janet and Terri. They just fit perfectly together and I always loved their apartment.❤😊

[@kjk7611]

You mean Jack, Janet & Chrissy, don't you?

[@rickystar5]

This pilot can be seen on TikTok in its entirety.