The Bizarro Three’s Company: Unseen Pilot Shows a Version That Almost Was
Before Three’s Company became one of the most recognizable sitcoms of the late 1970s and early ’80s, it nearly went in a very different—and far stranger—direction. An unseen early pilot, long discussed among TV historians and hardcore fans, reveals a “bizarro” version of the show that almost made it to air.
This original pilot featured a different cast and noticeably different character dynamics. While the basic premise remained—young roommates sharing an apartment under questionable circumstances—the tone felt less playful and more awkward. The chemistry that later defined the series was simply not there. John Ritter’s iconic physical comedy, which would become the heart of the show, was absent, leaving the concept feeling flatter and far less memorable.
Even the female leads in the unseen pilot came across as more conventional, lacking the sharp humor and exaggerated personalities that Joyce DeWitt and Suzanne Somers eventually brought to life. Without that spark, the show felt like just another sitcom experiment rather than a breakout hit in the making.
Recognizing this, ABC and the producers made the bold decision to recast and retool the series. That gamble paid off. When Three’s Company finally premiered in its familiar form, it struck the perfect balance between farce, charm, and controversy—quickly becoming a pop culture phenomenon.
Looking back, the unseen pilot is a fascinating reminder of how close Three’s Company came to being something else entirely. Sometimes, success isn’t just about a good idea—it’s about finding the right people to bring it to life.
