Chris Mann

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 Three's Company Book Author Feels Betrayed

Come and Knock on Our Door: A Hers and Hers and His Guide to Three's Company by Chris Mann

Mann alleges that Greg Gugliotta, the only executive producer credited in the movie's main titles,  stole his book and participated in this NBC movie while he was contractually and legally obligated to sell a movie based on Mann's book.  Whereas I said Man feels betrayed, his words are somewhat stronger, "ripped off, deceived, betrayed and backstabbed."

So what happened?  In September 2002  Mann says he signed a consulting agreement with its other executive producer, Stan Brooks and his company Once Upon a Time Films,   "I signed that agreement (for a quite modest amount of money that seemed fair at the time) based primarily on Stan Brooks' good-faith promise that Greg was NOT and had NOT been involved in the movie and thus my material was not stolen for the movie. In signing that agreement, I never released Greg from his legal/financial responsibilities to me; in fact, I specifically excluded him from any release." say's Mann in a statement to his fans on the PB's Jack's Bistro Web Site. 

Mann alleges that he learned from reliable witnesses that Greg was, indeed, involved in this movie during the movie's development and production, and cut out of the film's development, production, and publicity, thus robbing him  of proper authoritative credit and recognition in the movie as well as "enormous professional opportunity -- as a teleplay writer and co-executive producer -- and money in the six figures. "

"I want Three's Company fans to know that this movie -- which its two executive producers hypocritically claim exposes the greed, manipulation, betrayals and backstabbings of Three's Company's executive producers -- is the product of the very same damaging (and in this case illegal) behavior by Greg Gugliotta." Mann said in his statement.

Jud Tylor, Bret Anthony, and Deanne Moore as Chrissy, Jack and Janet.

But to Mann's dismay, he was cut out of the creative process, and on Monday, May 12th at  9:00PM, the television movie, which has received mixed reviews,  will air.  Joyce DeWitt, who portrayed Janet Wood in the original “Three’s Company,” gives an insider’s perspective as she narrates the story of how three unknown actors reached overnight stardom and how it affected their lives.

The principal “Three’s Company” cast members are portrayed by Melanie Deanne Moore (“Slackers”) as Joyce DeWitt, Bret Anthony (“Seinfeld”) as John Ritter and Jud Tylor (“Ice Angel”) as Suzanne Somers. Wallace Langham (“The Larry Sanders Show”) plays Suzanne Somer’s first manager, Jay Bernstein, and Christopher Shyer (“Phenomenon” – TV version) stars as her husband-turned-manager Alan Hamel. Playing the series producers Ted Bergman and Don Taffner are, respectively Daniel Roebuck (“The Late Shift,” Matlock”) and Michael David Simms (“Masterminds?”). The supporting “Three’s Company” cast members Don Knotts, Norman Fell and Audra Lindley are portrayed by Gregg Brinkley, Terence Kelly and Barbara Gordon, respectively.

The real Joyce DeWitt on the set of "The Unauthorized Story of: 'Three's Company' Behind the Scenes" Read more from Joyce DeWitt Here

So you might think that Mann is calling for a boycott of the movie, no not at all.  "I do, however, want everyone who wants to watch this movie to watch it to support Joyce DeWitt and remember the love behind the show. Joyce has worked very, very hard to give this movie some integrity, and she has been supportive of me throughout her participation in this film. She is a remarkable woman and I understand her need to participate in this film to protect the legacy of the show. Besides that, she looks great and comes across marvelously on screen. She deserves nothing but positives for her work behind-the-scenes on this film. The young (and veteran) actors in the movie also deserve praise. I am glad that my book, the publicity/documentaries resulting from it and my efforts, and the negotiations for an NBC movie based on my book helped create this acting opportunity for these young, rising stars and their talents. I only regret that I was not allowed similar opportunities as the author of the book that led directly and undeniably to this film. "

On May 3rd, Chris Mann was a guest on  Nick Digilio overnight radio program that airs on WGN 720AM in Chicago.  As you would expect, Morty's got the tapes.  Use the link to the left to hear the interview.

Mann explained that in 1998 when his book was first published, he went to E! and suggested they do an "E! True Hollywood Story" on "Three's Company." Until then E! had never done an "E! THS" on a TV show, they were all based on individuals.  This became the most popular "E! THS,"  then in 2000, NBC did "Growing Up Brady" and the ratings were great.  Mann knew that there would be more behind the scenes teleplays.  Mann wanted to write the "Three's Company"  movie and he prepared a script.   

In 2000 NBC expressed interest, but ended up going with a "Cosby Show" reunion. Greg Gugliotta, who was representing Mann, teamed up with Stan Brooks at  Once Upon a Time Films.  In 2001 NBC decided to do the project,  but Mann didn't know until he read about it in a 2002 article in "The Hollywood Reporter."  Greg Gugliotta contended that it was a Stan Brooks project, not associated with Mann's work, however, Mann asserts that Greg Gugliotta is in fact the executive producer.

So that's the scoop.  Mann also observes that Bret Anthony has John Ritter's voice down so pat that it's eerie.  I think we'll all be watching Monday, May 12th at  9:00PM on NBC.

You can find the Chris Mann interview on the WGN web site. 

[May 8, 2003]  The Joyce DeWitt interview on The Steve Cochran Show, has been re-scheduled to Monday at 2:50PM ET/1:50PM CT. on WGNRadio AM-720 3:20PM  ET/2:20PM CT in Chicago.  Don't live in Chicago?  Not a problem, listen live at  www.wgnradio.com  Joyce DeWitt, talks about the TV movie "Behind the Camera: The Unauthorized Story of 'Three's Company," which also airs on Monday, May 12, on  NBC.