The moment Diane Smith saw a post about Mrs. Roper’s Romps -- parties inspired by a feisty character from a throwback sitcom -- she wanted to plan one.
Smith, 55, remembers watching “Three’s Company,” a show that aired from 1977 to 1984, about three single roommates living together in an apartment complex owned by Stanley and Helen Roper. The comedic premise of the show required the male lead, Jack Tripper, played by John Ritter, to pretend to be gay because Mr. Roper would not allow unmarried men and women to live together.
Mrs. Roper quickly figures out the ruse, but conspires with the friends to keep up the facade.
“It was a little risque for its time, but it was harmless,” Smith says. Helen Roper, played by Audra Lindley, wore oversized glasses, billowy caftans and a carrot-red mop of curls. The show had a running gag of her trying to seduce her disinterested, cheapskate husband.
If only Stanley could see her now.
In 2013, Bud Moore of New Orleans was trying to come up with a group costume for the city’s over-the-top Southern Decadence parade. He suggested Mrs. Roper to a group of friends, and they loved the idea.
“I’m 53, my friends are all Gen X,” Moore says. Helen Roper was more than just a laugh line in a TV show.
“She’s a feminist icon, a gay icon, a fashion icon,” he says. “She didn’t take any (nonsense) from her husband or anyone else. A real fireball.”
That first parade featured about 55 Mrs. Ropers -- all men. Moore figured it would be a one-time thing, but he had just gotten the ball rolling.
In 2023, after Smith saw a Facebook post about the Helen Roper-themed events, she called the owner of Roper’s Regal Beagle in Godfrey, Illinois. That was also the name of the local bar in the show, making it the perfect place to host the region’s first Roper Romp. Smith explained that the gatherings were becoming a national phenomenon, and the owner offered a party room and drink specials. About 20 people, most in costume, showed up for the event.
The next year, Smith moved the party to Just John Club in St. Louis. Nearly 200 people attended that year. Moore had started a Facebook page about the events, and the group has gone from 7,000 members in 2023 to nearly 85,000 members now -- in 49 states, seven Canadian provinces and 15 other countries.
Romps take place everywhere from winery patios to neighborhood bars, with attendees ranging from their 20s to their 70s and older. There have been more than 1,000 events worldwide.
On a humid June evening, the patio of LaTeaDa Tea Room in Clinton, Illinois, was filled with bold, floral muumuus and a crowd of red-orange wigs. Lisa G and the Good Reasons played '70s hits while Helens sipped on themed cocktails and wine and danced the night away.
The Romps are part costume party, part nostalgia trip and part love letter to Helen. The gatherings celebrate her sassy spirit and devil-may-care attitude.
Sondra DeVries, 55, of Litchfield, Illinois, was on a weekend camping trip with friends, one of whom told her about the gathering nearby. They found the perfect Mrs. Roper costumes and accessories. Amazon even has an entire section dedicated to Helen Roper-inspired attire and accessories.
“We danced a lot that night,” DeVries said. “It’s a great way to meet new friends and have a little party.”
After the Romp, she rewatched clips of "Three's Company" on YouTube. "It was just funny," she said.
Smith thinks part of the appeal is that Helen was ahead of her time: “She was a person of few lines, but they were meaningful.”
The events have flourished because attendees are drawn to Helen’s iconic style and attitude. There’s also the strong pull of nostalgia. Some of the romps are part of bigger events, like Pride parades or neighborhood pub crawls. Others might involve destination gatherings at wineries, campgrounds or historic taverns.
The show, which consistently ranked in the top 10 for six consecutive seasons, found additional fans in syndication and through DVD releases. The Ropers had their own spinoff series. “Three’s Company” and the characters became a part of pop culture. It has an enduring appeal even though its premise has become ridiculous and dated.
At the time, it was considered edgy. Those who watched the show as children and adolescents are doing more than remembering a TV hit; they’re channeling Helen’s spirit -- irreverent and a little rebellious.
Some past attendees said there’s something empowering about stepping into that dress. Helen embraced her individuality with self-confidence without taking herself too seriously.
Helenistas have committed to the caftan, the wig and the wink.