Three's Christmas

Jack, Janet & Chrissy are NOT looking forward to a quiet Christmas at home. They were hoping to throw a big party (what with the Ropers out of town), but can't find anybody who will attend. Then the Ropers return, and Helen invites them to a get-together downstairs. Jack & Janet would much rather attend a shindig thrown by a couple named the Stephens, pretty much knowing how boring it will be to spend the night with Stanley.

'Three's Christmas' is a very agreeable episode - not as downright hilarious as the series is capable of being, but generally engaging & funny. Amusing bits include Janet & Chrissy both gifting Jack with socks, and him ending up wearing a sock from each pair. Stanley holds true to his nature, throwing a rather inane party; he even sings while Jack plays the piano. It's truly priceless when he brings out a bugle that sends the kids running!

Some of the early scenes are a delight. Jack devises a way to always have mistletoe hanging in front of his face so he can kiss (and kiss) his roommates to his hearts' content. Also, he later phones a girlfriend, indulging in some very raunchy dialogue before he realizes that it was the girls' MOTHER who picked up the phone.

The big twist at the end is a rich one, putting the perfect capper on this episode.

Seven out of 10.

The trio regrets accepting the Ropers' invitation to spend Xmas together after they are invited to a party they'd much rather attend.

A cute episode from the first full season of the show that helps establish Jack, Janet and Chrissy as a kind of makeshift family. Jack's mistletoe headband recalls the jogging and tennis craze of the late '70s and Bjorn Borg. This is where Chrissy reveals her birthname is Christmas Snow. The girls each swap the gifts Jack gave them. Jack refers to Chrissy's offscreen beau as "The Star of Armpit Theater" because he has a deodorant commercial on his acting resume.

When we get to the Ropers' Helen has a good line about how she's appalled at what Stanley did in the fish tank. The kids are bored by Mr. Roper's lame card tricks and when he sits down at the piano, Jack turns on his faux gay act to get Roper to move. It turns out the Ropers wanted to attend the better party just as much as "the kids".

Very thin on plot, but it's the only Xmas episode in the eight-year run, so just enjoy it for a good old nostalgic throwback with some lovable characters. 7/10.

Bill Hobin faithfully directed this family episode, and so many others. Bill was the main director for RED SKELTON for years.

Whether you're a fan of the series or not, this is a Christmas episode you have to catch. Goofy stuff with the gang literally stranded at the apartment for the holiday. Nothings going right (as usual) and Jack, Janet and Chrissy are destined for a party at the Roper's downstairs apartment. Duty calls.

Except comes an unexpected invite to a wowzer party? Now what?

Lots of gags (Jack's Xmas headband) and one liners tossed about, and you know Jack has to hang a mistletoe to kiss the gal friends. Does that include Mrs. Roper? The episode also strengthened the roommates realtionships with each other, minus any guest stars here, which was rare. It's a lot of 70s fun, and Mr. Roper always has the best lines.

Chrissy's real name is Christmas. Great trivia question.

From SEASON 2 remastered colorABC dvd box set.