Starring: John Ritter, Don Knotts, Suzanne Somers, Joyce DeWitt, Richard Kline
Genres: Comedy
She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not - S8-E2
Visible crew/equipment: After Jack talks to Larry about the magazine quiz Jack asks Janet if anything's been bothering her, and just as Terri walks out of the kitchen holding the two cans, a crew member's hand can be seen behind Terri placing a bag on the counter. (00:04:15)
Jack Tripper: And speaking of current events, did you read the big news in the paper this morning?
Chrissy: The May Company is having a huge sale on pantyhose.
Jack Tripper: Excuse me, Chrissy, that's not exactly a current event.
Chrissy: It is so, it's going on right now.
An Anniversary Surprise - S3-E20
Trivia: Many TV stations over the years left out the original ending scene (the small party held before the Ropers leave). This scene explains how The New Landlord Mr. Furley knew Jack was supposedly gay in the first episode without anyone mentioning it. This ending reveals Roper told the new owners Jack was gay. Without seeing this ending, the storyline is unclear.
Question: During the first three seasons, all the main cast appeared in every episode (except one without Joyce Dewitt by season 3), but it seems once Suzanne Somers left the show, episodes had some cast members absent on a regular basis (mainly Richard Kline and Don Knotts who both only appeared in selected episodes in the later seasons). Was it a sudden budget cut or another reason for this?
Answer: Richard Kline and Don Knotts were supporting cast members, who could be replaced at anytime. It was John Ritter, Joyce DeWitt and Suzanne Somers who were the star vehicles they relied on to carry the show.