Sunday, October 15, 2023

Suzanne Somers 'Three's Company' & 'Step by Step' star dies at 76

THREE'S COMPANY on ABC (1977-1984). The comedy show became a TV sensation about two girls living with one guy. Suzanne Somers played the sexy, ditzy-blonde, Chrissy Snow. She became a sex symbol and was ranked as one of the most popular women on 1970's television. Because of that popularity. Somers renegotiated her TV contract after 5 seasons with the show. She wanted $150,000 an episode plus a back-end deal. It was the same amount as the popular male TV stars at that time. The creators of the show said "no." Somers was quickly replaced by a new actress.

The comedy was at "one" time the number #1 TV show in the U.S. The chemistry between its' three top stars was incredible and unstoppable. A famous TV director was also brought over from the "Carol Burnett" show. Slapstick comedy was the name of the game. 

The Somers contract dispute was big news at the time. The "Three's Company" TV-Set had spun out of control and lost huge amounts of money. Somers missed several episodes at the beginning of the Fall TV season.

Back then - There were only 3 major TV networks (ABC-CBS-NBC). "Three's Company" grabbed huge TV Ratings which you never see today... Somers as Chrissy Snow was so funny, ditzy and crazy. She was a laugh riot.

Somers went onto the family TV comedy, "Step by Step" (1991-1998 ABC/CBS). But, it never reached the height of "Three's Company" in regards to TV ratings and exposure. 

If you want a great laugh. Check out the first 5 TV seasons of "Three's Company" with John Ritter, Joyce DeWitt and Suzanne Somers (RIP).

via GIPHY

via GIPHY

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