 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Three's Company
Common Sense Media says
Classic comedy of errors is still swingin'.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this still-hilarious '70s sitcom relies on sexual innuendo, silly physical humor, and monumental misunderstandings for its well-earned laughs. Throughout the series, Jack pretends to be gay so that his traditional landlords will allow him to live with two single women. There's no substantive negative commentary on homosexuality (though Jack sometimes camps it up a bit), but the masquerade is played for humor time and time again. The onscreen chemistry between Janet, Chrissy, and Jack (who fancies himself a ladies' man but rarely enjoys great luck with them) brings the subject of sexual attraction to the forefront, but the constant slapstick comedy keeps the tone light enough for family viewing with tweens. Even the innuendos seem pretty tame by today's standards; Chrissy's dumb-blonde shtick might raise more eyebrows among modern parents. Some kids might find the characters' constant mix-ups stressful.
What's the story?
For eight seasons in the late 1970s and early '80s, THREE'S COMPANY effortlessly combined slapstick, physical humor, and double entendres. The show (which was based on the British hit Man About the House) centers on aspiring chef Jack Tripper (John Ritter), who shares an apartment in Santa Monica, Calif., with two female roommates -- slightly neurotic florist Janet Wood (Joyce DeWitt) and ditzy blonde Chrissy Snow (Suzanne Somers). In later episodes, after Somers left the show amid salary disputes, Chrissy was briefly replaced by her cousin, Cindy Snow (Jennilee Harrison), and then by the much more grounded Terri Alden (Priscilla Barnes). While the trio's co-ed bunking situation works well for them, their conservative older landlord, Mr. Roper (Norman Fell), thinks otherwise. He decides to live with it only after Jack lets Mr. Roper believe that he's gay -- when, in truth, Jack is happily heterosexual and even prides himself on his attraction to the ladies (though his roomies would probably disagree).
Is it any good?
As you can imagine, a premise based on one major misunderstanding just begs for more to follow -- and they certainly do. The name of the game here is comedy of misheard comments, misinterpreted situations, slapstick clumsiness, and drawn-out double entendres. Over the course of the show's eight-year run, Jack & co. weathered many personnel changes (including the memorable addition of Don Knotts as new landlord Mr. Furley), but their onscreen chemistry held strong.
Although plenty of Three's Company's humor has sexual tones, the mood is so light and silly that it's really pretty harmless. Kids old enough to pick up on the flirting and longing gazes likely will understand their place in the overall comedy, and younger tweens will miss most of it amid the clumsy physical humor that's so prevalent. The only thing to really watch out for is the mild teasing that surrounds Mr. Roper's belief in Jack's homosexuality. While even that's kept very light, it's pretty frequent (he often refers to Jack as "one of the girls") and may raise questions from kids.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about getting along with siblings (and/or roommates). How does sharing living space with someone affect your relationship with them? What challenges does it bring? Families can also discuss the dangers of prejudging people. Have your kids ever felt like they were unfairly judged or labeled? How does it make them feel? How do they respond if they're teased? Also, what's the best way to handle a misunderstanding?
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AGE
I really like this show as a kid. Topics go over many young kids heads along with the jokes, but has slapstick that can keep them entertained. The show's main characters are caring and loving towards one another, but sadly have to lie to stay together. The sexual innendo is pretty mild and the drinking is probably the worst part of the show. Some of the girl cast has flings with bartenders and everybody has some kind of beer at the bar everytime they go. The language isn't strong, mainly mild curse words present.
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AGE
Wonderful Sitcom
It is a very funny, light hearted, good natured show. However, it is showing its age, and some of the more decade specific and cheesy stuff is wearing thin. But, it is still very funny, especially specific scenes.
Even though some characters have attitudes that people today would frown upon (Mr. Roper's relationship with Helen for example, in one episode they have a fight over her allowance) they generally have their heart in the right place. Women are objectified, and it should be noted it was written and produced by all men for at least the first few seasons (then one woman writer was added) but despite this intentions are good, and the characters really care for one another.
I think it is the perfect show for young tweens and teens who are just starting to watch shows not aimed specifically at kids.
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AGE
Awesome!
Love this show! It's great for the whole family to watch, but there are really not too many positive messages.
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Kid, 12 years old
October 16, 2010
AGE
13 or 14, but not 10!
I'm not allowed to watch it at this age, We're not allowed to watch this show no more until we're 13. This Show should be 13 or 14 and over because this stuff can be inappropriate for 10 year olds.
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AGE
13 or 14, but not 10!
I'm not allowed to watch it at this age, We're not allowed to watch this show no more until we're 13. This Show should be 13 or 14 and over because this stuff can be inappropriate for 10 year olds.
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Kid, 11 years old
October 16, 2010
AGE
13 or 14, but not 10!
I'm not allowed to watch it at this age, We're not allowed to watch this show no more until we're 13. This Show should be 13 or 14 and over because this stuff can be inappropriate for 10 year olds.
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AGE
Not for under fifteen
I can't believe this site "recommends" this show for ages 10+. Jack's message is always "get some, get some" and CommonSense thinks that is ok for ten year olds? My eleven year old is not even allowed to watch this.
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AGE
Don't Even Think About It
It's a little inappropriate, Should be TV-MA, sanford and son is better and i don't think Three's Company is Appropriate For Kids under 13 or 14.
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Kid, 12 years old
July 20, 2010
AGE
e.g. Shut up, idiot! Should be 13 with parental guidance and 14+ alone, but definetly not 8, 9 or 10!
sanford and son is better (because 3's compiny can be a little inappropriate for 12 or 11 year olds and under, it's iffy for 13, on for 14 and over, don't watch this if you're a kid, it's inappropriate to me).
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| TV rating: | TV-PG |
| Network: | TV Land |
| Cast: | John Ritter, Joyce DeWitt, Suzanne Somers |
| Genre: | Comedy |
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