The blonde character in the classic British sitcom Man About the House was Jo, portrayed by actress Sally Thomsett.
Jo: The Token Blonde
Jo, full name Jo Salter, was one of the three flatmates in the shared apartment, living alongside Chrissy Plummer and Robin Tripp. Her character was affectionately known as the 'dumb blonde' of the trio. She was frequently depicted as somewhat ditzy and often misunderstood the simplest of things, which regularly led to comedic misunderstandings.
This characteristic played a significant role in the series' humor, particularly complementing one of the main comedic elements of the show: the pervasive use of double entendre. Much of the comedy in Man About the House stemmed from situations where characters, and often the audience, would initially interpret events in a suggestive or misleading way, only for the innocent truth to be revealed by the episode's conclusion. Jo's innocent misinterpretations often heightened these comedic setups.
Portrayed by Sally Thomsett
Sally Thomsett brought Jo's endearing naivety to life. Thomsett, despite being 22 at the time of filming, successfully convinced producers she was only 16, resulting in a unique clause in her contract that forbade her from wearing makeup and insisted on her having pig-tails to maintain the youthful, innocent image of her character.
Key Characters and Cast
Man About the House ran for six series from 1973 to 1976 and was highly popular, later spawning American spin-offs like Three's Company.
Here's a look at the main flatmates:
| Character | Actor | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Jo Salter | Sally Thomsett | The innocent, often naive blonde flatmate whose misunderstandings lead to much of the show's comedy. |
| Chrissy Plummer | Paula Wilcox | The sensible and often exasperated flatmate who tries to keep order. |
| Robin Tripp | Richard O'Sullivan | A culinary student who moves in with the two women, leading to many social and comedic predicaments. |
