Today, we see how Three’s Company ruined an opportunity to to work its own iconic theme song into an episode.
In Meta-Messages, I explore the context behind (using reader danjack’s term) “meta-messages.” A meta-message is where a creator comments on/references the work of another creator (or sometimes even themselves) in their work. Each time around, I’ll give you the context behind one such “meta-message.”
This is a special edition of “Meta-Messages,” in the sense that there IS no “Meta-Message,” but there easily COULD have been a clever one!
As you likely all know, the popular sitcom, Three’s Company, about a man sharing an apartment with two women (back when that was something unusual enough that you hang a sitcom concept on it) had a very famous theme song. Here are the lyrics:
Come and knock on our door… (Come and knock on our door)
We’ve been waiting for you…. (We’ve been waiting for you)
Where the kisses are hers and hers and his,
Three’s company too.Come and dance on on our floor… (Come and dance on on our floor)
Take a step that is new… (Take a step that is new)
We’ve a loveable space that needs your face,
Three’s company too.You’ll see that life is a ball again, laughter is calling for you…
Down at our rendezvous… (Down at our rendezvous)
Three’s company too![Extended Version continues:]
Down at our rendezvous… (Down at our rendezvous)
Three’s company too!
After a weird Season 5 where Jenilee Harrison was the temporary replacement for the departing Suzanne Somers (who left the show that made her a superstar due to a contract dispute with the show’s producers), Season 6 brought in a new third roommate, Terrie Alden, played by Priscilla Barnes, who remained on the show for the rest of its eight season-run.
After Terri is introduced in the one-hour season premiere (technically a two-part episode), the third episode, “Terri Makes Her Move,” shows Terri officially moving into the apartment. The episode opens with Janet vacuuming as they await their new roommate. Terri then rings the doorbell and Janet lets her in, with Terri exclaiming, “I’ve finally made it!” as she hugs Janet. Janet replies, “We’ve been waiting for you!”
Well, think about it, had they just had Terri knock on the door instead of ringing the doorbell, it would have literally been:
Come and knock on our door… (Come and knock on our door)
We’ve been waiting for you….
A wasted opportunity, show!
If anyone has a suggestion for a good Meta-Messages, drop me a line at brian@popculturereferences.com!
