MovieChat Forums > Three's Company (1977) Discussion > What's with all the kissing?

What's with all the kissing?

posted 7 years ago by deeporiginal
12 replies | jump to latest

I know it was the 70s. I know this was a "liberal" show. I know it was considered "shocking" even at times. lol. But why the hell are these three roommates kissing each other all the time? Do you kiss your friends (who are the opposite sex) on the mouth? And I don't mean a massive, all out make out. I mean just a peck. No, you don't.

I'm all for good friends of the opposite sex, but the second I see my gf kissing him on the mouth goodbye... ummmm... what? LOL.

I always found this weird, and anticlimactic for the episode where Jack and Janet go on the computer date. They make a big deal about preparing for a kiss, like somehow they've never done this before. lol.

[–] SmokyBrownEyes 7 years ago

All the kissing, hugging, and smacks on the bottom, coming out of the bathroom wearing just a towel. They were very free-spirited during the 70's/early 80's. If I had a roommate like Jack I wouldn't mind if he kissed me though. The women didn't see Jack as a threat so they went along with the kissing and hugging.

What I found odd was in the last episodes, Terri and Janet asked each other if Jack really ever made a pass at them and they each said "no". I was like "okay?".

This wouldn't work today because nowadays some men are more forward and won't take no for an answer but that's another topic for another board.

[–] deeporiginal 7 years ago

You're absolutely right! I agree 100%. However, to generalize that the time of the 70's and 80's was free spirited in the general sense, and this was nothing more than a reflection of everyone's day to day wouldn't be totally accurate. It was a niche area of society for sure, that dribbled over from the 60s, and they decided to capitalize on the last bit of it. I actually think the reactions and jokes coming from Mr. Roper and Mr. Furley about Jack's "homosexuality" was more an accurate reflection of the time period.

What I found interesting and a little annoying (despite seeing the boom mic in almost every single episode lol) is how often they contradicted themselves. For example, Jack knows he shouldn't be dating two woman at the same time (and often tries to hide it from the other woman) but somehow feels it's appropriate to smack the asses and kiss the lips of his roommates. lol.

I don't agree that they didn't see Jack as a threat. A serious threat no. But his character was clearly developed into someone you absolutely would not want to give the wrong impression to.

You said,

"If I had a roommate like Jack I wouldn't mind if he kissed me though."

Well of course! And if I was single (that's the key word there, single) I wouldn't mind if Janet or Terry kissed me either. But it's certainly not appropriate if you're dating someone, and certainly not appropriate if you don't want to give the wrong impression to a guy who, as you pointed out, was consistently making passes at you. lol

The problem with establishing a relationship with a friend of the opposite sex that includes ass smacking and kissing on the lips, is eventually this (what many would see as a luxury) will have to cease if any of the two involved hope to have a meaningful relationship with anyone. I know I wouldn't feel comfortable dating a woman who lived with a guy that kissed her on the lips goodbye and smacked her ass on the way out. lol.

[–] xsabresx 7 years ago

I have had several female friends in my life who were very much about pecks on the lips if everyone were single. They'd never consider doing it if the other person were in a relationship. Some people just show affection differently. There doesnt always have to be sexual overtones.

[–] deeporiginal 7 years ago

No, you're right. But that's the key word.. single. These roommates did a lot of pecking and ass smacking while in relationships. lol. And let's face it, it wasn't always a "peck". Sometimes it was a serious kiss for 5 seconds. The argument is not weather or not You, or I, or anyone else wouldn't mind kissing a hot roommate, the issue is whether or not it was appropriate while dating someone else.

[–] Huskie_Jon 7 years ago

Three's Company was a way of showing a male sex fantasy in a prime time sit-com, and the kissing proves it. Anything past the kissing would not have survived the censors.

Or am I the only one who has ever watched TC and thought about how much farther he would try to get with two pretty, young female roommates?

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A dope trailer is no place for a kitty.

[–] kb541 7 years ago

None of them were in relationships though. They were casually dating people throughout the whole series but it wasn't until Jack met Vicki in the last few episodes and all the sudden Janet was getting married to some guy named David who we'd never seen before the past couple of episodes that they showed any of them in an actual relationship. We never saw any of them with the same date twice until right before the show ended.

[–] SmokyBrownEyes 7 years ago

You mean her marrying Philip Dawson? Yes, none of them were ever in serious relationships that's what made it easier to flirt and play with one another.

[–] BrooklynNellie 7 years ago

Where the kisses are hers and hers and his,
Three's company too

[–] Huskie_Jon 7 years ago

I did not see any hers and hers kisses.

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A dope trailer is no place for a kitty.

[–] jeffmelchior4 7 years ago

I saw Terri kiss Janet on the lips in one episode. It was a peck on the lips, but a kiss nonetheless. Can anyone back me up on this? I was still a kid when I saw it so it wasn't like I was aroused -- I just found it weird.

[–] DeltaHomicide 7 years ago

I don't think the kisses and ass smacking's a reflection of any norms or reality of the 70's and 80's. It's an extension of the male fantasy of living with two hot female roommates.

In the mid-90's I went to college in San Francisco, and there was a sort of hippie revival, with the rave generation in full swing. I lived with three very hot female roommates at one point (along with two male roommates). The girls would sometimes hang around the apartment in very skimpy clothing, and even came out of the shower in just a bra and panties, but no one would kiss or touch each other. Hugs were a different story though - we hugged a lot.

I can't imagine that late 70's / early 80's Los Angeles was any different.

[–] forlorn_rage (139) 7 years ago

Lol, thank you for this thread. I grew up with this show and was often confused as a child as to why these 3 were so... Flirtatious with each other. Especially since every other time the girls would be like "touch me not" to Jack in order to establish, but other times they were perfectly fine with kissing each other.

I haven't seen this dynamic in any other show. So, it's hard to say whether it was cultural or simply that "Three's Company" was the only youth-oriented show that just happened to come along in such a time (late 70's, early 80's) that could get away with such a carefree portrayal of heterosexual friendships.