Three’s Company continues to captivate audiences decades after it first aired, thanks to its unique blend of humor, memorable characters, and iconic cast. The show’s simple premise—Jack Tripper pretending to be gay to share an apartment with Janet Wood and Chrissy Snow—created endless comedic misunderstandings, making it a top-ten hit from 1977 to 1983. Although its humor is rooted in the norms of the 70s and 80s, some moments have recently sparked renewed discussions about their appropriateness by today’s standards.
A particular episode from Season 5, A Crowded Romance, has gone viral and reignited interest in the show. Known for its hilarious twists and misunderstandings, this episode features a love triangle involving Jack, Larry, and a woman they both unknowingly date at the same time. While the comedic chaos unfolds, one scene involving Jack and Janet has drawn fresh attention, sparking mixed reactions from fans.
In the clip, Janet encourages Jack to start his day with morning exercises. Jack jokes that he has already done “20 hair combs and two sets of teeth brushing” and doesn’t want to “overtrain.” Moments later, he gives Janet a playful nudge on her backside, prompting her to say, “I hate when you do that!” The scene, which was intended as lighthearted humor in the 1980s, has drawn divided responses online. Some fans view it as harmless and emblematic of the era’s humor, commenting, “It was funny, stupid humor! Unfortunately gone today.” Others have taken a more critical stance, calling Jack’s behavior inappropriate by modern standards.
