Monday Musings: Remembering Suzanne Somers, First Look at ‘The Crown’ Final Season, Pete Parodies ‘Barbie’ 🩷Gilligan’s Island Anniversary, and Best TV Show Theme Songs + A Spooky Wine Cocktail 🍸

Just another a’musing Monday

Oct 16, 2023

Oh hello there 👋🏻 ! I know, it’s been awhile since we’ve met on a Monday and now there’s so much TV to talk about! Are you enjoying Lessons in Chemistry? The Fall of the House of Usher? Have you binge watched all 1 million seasons of Suits on Netflix more than three times? Who caught the season finale of the new generation of The Real Housewives of New York City?

Here’s What I’m ‘musing about this week!

Remembering Suzanne Somers

I grew up watching Three’s Company so Suzanne Somers as I’m sure for many of us made up the fabric of our television viewing of yesteryears. What would have been her 77th birthday today, Suzanne Somers passed yesterday after a very long battle with breast cancer. Somers was known for her iconic roles in television (Chrissy in Three’s Company), inventions-gone-viral (the Thighmaster), and as an author of over thirty books, predominately in the self-help and holistic health space.

Somers was born in 1946 to a father who worked loading beer onto boxcars. He was abusive and an alcoholic and she lived in constant fear as a child, along with her three other siblings. She was not a great student, having been diagnosed with dyslexia at a young age, however she was a curious student of the arts and excelled in her school’s theater program.

She became pregnant shortly after earning a collage scholarship for music and married the baby’s father, Bruce Somers. In 1965, baby Bruce Somers was born, but Somers was unhappy in her marriage and began an affair with her former drama teacher. Her marriage ended after just two years. In 1967, Somers took a chance on modeling in San Francisco to support herself and her son.

A year later she won a job as a prize model on The Anniversary Show, a game show that was hosted by her future husband, Alan Hamel. The two began dating and she became pregnant while he was still married. Somers had an abortion. She landed some small roles here and there, but it wasn’t until 1976 when she landed the role of Chrissy in the sitcom, Three’s Company. A year later, Somers married Hamel and they would stay married up until her passing.

She was fired from Three’s Company after asking for a raise at the beginning of the fifth season (she was asking for $150,000 per episode from $30,000 per episode + 10% ownership of the series).

She then became a successful performer, singing in Las Vegas and wrote her autobiography “Keeping Secrets” which was turned into a TV movie. In 1991 she landed the sitcom Step By Step co-starring Dallas’ Patrick Duffy.

Where To Stream Suzanne Somers

Three’s Company (Pluto TV)
American Graffiti (Showtime)
Step by Step (Freevee, MAX)

Fun Facts About Three’s Company

During the early seasons’ opening credits, the brunette woman walking on the beach causing Jack to fall off his bike is Suzanne Somers in a wig
Chrissy’s full name is Christmas Noelle Snow
Janet and Chrissy had another roommate named Eleanor before Jack moved in. Eleanor was portrayed by Marianne Black who made only one appearance in Season 3
Suzanne Somers based her character of Chrissy on Dick Clark’s wife

‘The Crown’: Final Season - First Look Pics

The sixth and final season of The Crown will premiere on Netflix on November 16 (Part 1) and the second half on December 14.The season will chronicle the events that took place during the final days of Princess Diana’s life and the impact that it had on her children, the royal family and the world.

SNL Highlights: Pete Davidson Parodies ‘Barbie’

Leave it to Pete Davidson to do an epic music video parody during his hosting gig at last weekend’s Saturday Night Live.

On This Day In History 1992: ‘Gilligan’s Island’ Pilot Is Aired For The First Time

Believe it or not, it took this long to air the pilot episode of this beloved sitcom that originally aired from 1963-1967. Fun fact: the opening was shot in Newport Beach, California!

Best TV Show Theme Songs: 80s Edition

There were so many memorable theme songs from the 1980s. Here are five bangers that really hit it during that era. Vote for your fave at the end!