ETMC Salutes Mrs. Roper: Lilly Pulitzer O.G.

Three's Company was my one of my favorite shows growing up, even though I didn't get most of the sexual innuendos and jokes until I hit my teens. Now as an adult when I watch the show, I appreciate it even more. But I can't help feeling bad for the character of Mrs. Roper.

Mrs. Roper was the hippest old lady in California within the Three's Company universe. She was always invited to Jack and the girls' parties, she was always helping them get out of jams when they were in trouble and she always was up for going down to the Regal Beagle to get her drink on. And her dresses were the 1970's version of Lily Pulitzer. She was like the Lily Pulitzer O.G.

When the day was done, all she wanted was some lovin' from her hubby Mr. Roper who she affectionately called "Stanley". On the other hand, Mr. Roper was always more tired than a hypoglycemic patient. He never wanted to lay the pipe down with his woman except when he wanted her to do something for him. It really was bizarre. I mean, isn't the man always supposed to be the hornier one in the relationship? Isn't that how the stereotype goes?



Well I have questions for Mr. Roper. Not only does the man not pleasure his wife, but he also a discriminate mofo against homosexuals. Or was he the one who was really hiding in the closet? Let's look at the evidence shall we:

1) He never wanted to be intimate with Mrs. Roper, ever. And for her age, Mrs. Roper seemed like a major freaky-deak. So what was the issue?

2) Mr. Roper was WAY too excited about Jack and his faux alternate lifestyle. He was ok with Jack living there but not if he was straight. Ket me say that another way: he was ok with Jack living there if he was gay. Hmmm.

3) Mr. Roper, who could use several sessions of diversity and sensitivity training, also could not turn down a chance to call Jack a "fairy" or "fruity" any time he got a chance. Seriously, the man always needed to take a shot at Jack's sexual preference and took the stereotype to the next level.

4) Mr. Roper loved to do his "fairy" impression, but liked to do it way too often, And he did it very well. Too well. Like someone who is very, err, extremely comfortable with their sexuality.



The verdict? I'll leave that to you to decide, but for someone who liked to take insensitive shots at homosexuals, he was certainly living out loud with his "fairy" impression.

Which takes us back to poor, poor Mrs. Roper. She deserved better than Stanley.

ETMC salutes you Mrs. Roper. The hippest old lady in TV Land and the innovator of Lily Pulitzer designs. Remember ladiesto respect Mrs. Roper...because Mrs. Roper was pimping Lily Pulitzer before Lily Pulitzer was "cool".