Fans of classic television just got an unexpected treat: a long-lost pilot intro from Three’s Company has been unearthed, offering a fascinating glimpse into what the beloved sitcom could have looked like before it became a cultural phenomenon.
The footage, which resurfaced 48 years after the show’s debut, reveals striking differences from the version audiences know so well. Most notably, the iconic theme song “Come and Knock on Our Door” is nowhere to be heard. Instead, the intro features playful scat vocals without lyrics, giving the sequence a very different tone.
Even more surprising are the cast changes. Before Jack, Janet, and Chrissy became household names, the characters looked quite different. John Ritter’s role wasn’t Jack Tripper but a character named David, and his female roommates were originally Jenny and Samantha rather than the now-iconic Chrissy Snow and Janet Wood.
The early pilot was filmed in 1976 but shelved in favor of other programming. It wasn’t until the concept was reworked, inspired by the British sitcom Man About the House, that Three’s Company took on its familiar form. Producers kept Ritter at the center of the story but recast his roommates, added the unforgettable theme song, and created the dynamic that turned the series into a hit.
When Three’s Company officially premiered in 1977, it became an instant success, running for eight seasons and cementing its place in TV history. Now, nearly half a century later, this rare pilot intro serves as a reminder of just how close the show came to being something completely different.
