LINDA CAN’T RESIST CHARM OF ‘THREE’ MOVIE – ‘OK, I TAKE IT ALL BACK’
“Behind the Camera: The Unauthorized Story of Three’s Company” [ ]
LOATHE as I am to admit my failures and shortcoming (yes, it’s singular), I fear that I must take back all those horrible things I said just last week about the stupidity of making TV movies about old TV shows.
I believe the words I’m about to eat were something on the order of: “Hello! It was a television show – it wasn’t real life!”
And now along comes the improbably good “Behind the Camera: The Unauthorized Story of Three’s Company.”
Yes, that’s right, it’s not only good and well acted, but – even more improbable – it’s well written by TV-movie veteran Elisa Bell.
How Bell turned an old story about a sitcom so ancient it has barnacles on it into something interesting and compelling (I swear!) is a feat not seen too often in TV land.
The movie, which was overseen by Joyce DeWitt who played Janet on “Three’s Company” (the real show not this movie), is the supposedly true story of how Suzanne Somers turned the friendly, fun-loving set into a nightmare and was forced to quit after just three years. (The show stayed on the air as a top-10 show without her for four more years.)
Since this version of the story is clearly told from DeWitt’s point of view, you probably have to believe half of what you see.
For one thing, it’s hard to believe that anyone can be as stupid as Somers – who according to the movie, let her husband, a failed actor himself, Alan Hamel (Christopher Shyer), ruin her career with his nutty demands after becoming her manager.
It’s also hard to believe that anyone under the pressure of a hit TV show would have remained as saint-like as DeWitt and Ritter did – even though Ritter also turned and stabbed DeWitt in the back in the, er, end.
Maybe it’s all true, and maybe it’s not. But it’s kinda like reading a supermarket tab; the nasty side of you hopes that the horrid stories about the stars are true while the nicer side of you hopes that they’re not.
The main characters – Jud Taylor as Suzanne Somers, Melanie Deanne Moore as Joyce DeWitt, and Bret Anthony as John Ritter – are all quite exceptional, as are the side characters like Wallace Langham who does a helluva job as Jay Bernstein the agent.
As much fun as all the actors are, Brian Dennehy as ABC’s top honcho, Fred Silverman, eats the screen and walks away with the scenery everytime he shows up.
The real Joyce DeWitt shows up as the narrator.
DeWitt and Somers haven’t spoken in many moons, and Somers put out a statement saying that she probably would be upset by her portrayal. (It’s nothing compared to the way her hubby Hamel comes off.)
In fact, may I suggest that Somers and Hamel have their alibis already written in case DeWitt meets with a sudden accident any time in the near future.
No, “Behind the Camera: The Unauthorized Story of Three’s Company,” is not – repeat not – “Masterpiece Theater.” But then again, not much is – but it is fun.
Aside from that, how many times will you get the chance to see me eat my words and humiliate myself in public? I know! I know! Just this once.
LINDA CAN’T RESIST CHARM OF ‘THREE’ MOVIE – ‘OK, I TAKE IT ALL BACK’
“Behind the Camera: The Unauthorized Story of Three’s Company” [ ]
LOATHE as I am to admit my failures and shortcoming (yes, it’s singular), I fear that I must take back all those horrible things I said just last week about the stupidity of making TV movies about old TV shows.
I believe the words I’m about to eat were something on the order of: “Hello! It was a television show – it wasn’t real life!”
And now along comes the improbably good “Behind the Camera: The Unauthorized Story of Three’s Company.”
Yes, that’s right, it’s not only good and well acted, but – even more improbable – it’s well written by TV-movie veteran Elisa Bell.
How Bell turned an old story about a sitcom so ancient it has barnacles on it into something interesting and compelling (I swear!) is a feat not seen too often in TV land.
The movie, which was overseen by Joyce DeWitt who played Janet on “Three’s Company” (the real show not this movie), is the supposedly true story of how Suzanne Somers turned the friendly, fun-loving set into a nightmare and was forced to quit after just three years. (The show stayed on the air as a top-10 show without her for four more years.)
Since this version of the story is clearly told from DeWitt’s point of view, you probably have to believe half of what you see.
For one thing, it’s hard to believe that anyone can be as stupid as Somers – who according to the movie, let her husband, a failed actor himself, Alan Hamel (Christopher Shyer), ruin her career with his nutty dema
nds after becoming her manager.
It’s also hard to believe that anyone under the pressure of a hit TV show would have remained as saint-like as DeWitt and Ritter did – even though Ritter also turned and stabbed DeWitt in the back in the, er, end.
Maybe it’s all true, and maybe it’s not. But it’s kinda like reading a supermarket tab; the nasty side of you hopes that the horrid stories about the stars are true while the nicer side of you hopes that they’re not.
The main characters – Jud Taylor as Suzanne Somers, Melanie Deanne Moore as Joyce DeWitt, and Bret Anthony as John Ritter – are all quite exceptional, as are the side characters like Wallace Langham who does a helluva job as Jay Bernstein the agent.
As much fun as all the actors are, Brian Dennehy as ABC’s top honcho, Fred Silverman, eats the screen and walks away with the scenery everytime he shows up.
The real Joyce DeWitt shows up as the narrator.
DeWitt and Somers haven’t spoken in many moons, and Somers put out a statement saying that she probably would be upset by her portrayal. (It’s nothing compared to the way her hubby Hamel comes off.)
In fact, may I suggest that Somers and Hamel have their alibis already written in case DeWitt meets with a sudden accident any time in the near future.
No, “Behind the Camera: The Unauthorized Story of Three’s Company,” is not – repeat not – “Masterpiece Theater.” But then again, not much is – but it is fun.
Aside from that, how many times will you get the chance to see me eat my words and humiliate myself in public? I know! I know! Just this once.