Just about anyone who ever watched "Three's Company" can tell you the story of Suzanne's fallout with ABC, John Ritter & Joyce DeWitt and her (then) 'expensive' salary demands. That, in wanting to be paid on equal level with John Ritter (and male actors, who always get paid more).
Well, after a shouting match, pitting her & husband Alan Hamel against ABC executives, ABC had truly had it. Diminishing her role, practically barring he from the set and and the end of the 1980-1981 season, firing her.
The execs at CBS wasted no time in signing her to a contract. ...but then a shake-up in leadership at the network dashed any hopes for a new sitcom. That and ABC stating that she could not legally use 'any' variations of ' Chrissy Snow', as this originated on their network.
Still CBS made good (sort of) on their contractual promise and gave Suzanne her own TV special. An almost Bob Hope type of gathering, it was filmed in late 1981 and aired February 22nd, 1982. Suzanne basically shows facets of her talents that were not seen on her previous TV series.
Aboard the USS Ranger in San Diego Bay, she performs in front of a most appreciative audience of over 6000+ U.S. Navy Sailors. (This is not to be confused with her follow up special, "Suzanne Somers and 10,000 G.I.'s", which aired January 3rd,1983.)
She not only does comedy to the delight of the sailors, but sings and dances as well. Her choice of outfits didn't hurt either.
Joined by singer Marie Osmond, they duet on songs from the 1940s in a tribute to the USO (as well as World War 2 veterans). She is also joined by the R & B group Gladys Knight & the Pips in a medley of now classic rock & roll songs.
The (now) late great comedian Flip Wilson makes an appearance as his classic 'female' comedy character "Geraldine". Who tries to outdo Suzanne for the Navy's attention. I'm sure Suzanne had a hard time keeping a straight face.
Songs from the show include "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do", "Take Back Your Mink", "I Don't Know Why" and "I'm Coming Home Again", as well as the rock & roll medley. Plus a (tasteful) salute to the Armed Forces and America as well.
Despite the image people had of hr then as someone with an inflated ego and only interested in money. She truly does a wonderful show for the sailors and for the TV viewers that did tune in that night, myself included, I was 13 and it was our first night in a new home.
Shown in the last hour of prime-time network TV, Suzanne's only TV competition that night was (ironically) the 2nd hour of NBC's TV Movie "A Wedding On Walton's Mountain". (The Walton's had aired on CBS previously. That and the last hour of Ryan O'Neal's "Oliver's Story" (1978)
I remember the special quite well and should it ever somehow surface again on TV or maybe even DVD, I'd be glad to revisit it. I urge you to do the same. Because, putting aside what she was dealing with then (and in terms of simply being entertaining) this special was terrific.
Variety shows as regular TV programs were passe' by then and these kind of special were as well. After her second TV special, it would be over 4 & 1/2 years before Suzanne would star in another TV sitcom.
"The Suzanne Somers TV Special" :
Ten Stars from me, there's not better way to express it. (END)
Well, after a shouting match, pitting her & husband Alan Hamel against ABC executives, ABC had truly had it. Diminishing her role, practically barring he from the set and and the end of the 1980-1981 season, firing her.
The execs at CBS wasted no time in signing her to a contract. ...but then a shake-up in leadership at the network dashed any hopes for a new sitcom. That and ABC stating that she could not legally use 'any' variations of ' Chrissy Snow', as this originated on their network.
Still CBS made good (sort of) on their contractual promise and gave Suzanne her own TV special. An almost Bob Hope type of gathering, it was filmed in late 1981 and aired February 22nd, 1982. Suzanne basically shows facets of her talents that were not seen on her previous TV series.
Aboard the USS Ranger in San Diego Bay, she performs in front of a most appreciative audience of over 6000+ U.S. Navy Sailors. (This is not to be confused with her follow up special, "Suzanne Somers and 10,000 G.I.'s", which aired January 3rd,1983.)
She not only does comedy to the delight of the sailors, but sings and dances as well. Her choice of outfits didn't hurt either.
Joined by singer Marie Osmond, they duet on songs from the 1940s in a tribute to the USO (as well as World War 2 veterans). She is also joined by the R & B group Gladys Knight & the Pips in a medley of now classic rock & roll songs.
The (now) late great comedian Flip Wilson makes an appearance as his classic 'female' comedy character "Geraldine". Who tries to outdo Suzanne for the Navy's attention. I'm sure Suzanne had a hard time keeping a straight face.
Songs from the show include "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do", "Take Back Your Mink", "I Don't Know Why" and "I'm Coming Home Again", as well as the rock & roll medley. Plus a (tasteful) salute to the Armed Forces and America as well.
Despite the image people had of hr then as someone with an inflated ego and only interested in money. She truly does a wonderful show for the sailors and for the TV viewers that did tune in that night, myself included, I was 13 and it was our first night in a new home.
Shown in the last hour of prime-time network TV, Suzanne's only TV competition that night was (ironically) the 2nd hour of NBC's TV Movie "A Wedding On Walton's Mountain". (The Walton's had aired on CBS previously. That and the last hour of Ryan O'Neal's "Oliver's Story" (1978)
I remember the special quite well and should it ever somehow surface again on TV or maybe even DVD, I'd be glad to revisit it. I urge you to do the same. Because, putting aside what she was dealing with then (and in terms of simply being entertaining) this special was terrific.
Variety shows as regular TV programs were passe' by then and these kind of special were as well. After her second TV special, it would be over 4 & 1/2 years before Suzanne would star in another TV sitcom.
"The Suzanne Somers TV Special" :
Ten Stars from me, there's not better way to express it. (END)
