8 Simple Rules...

[Dogbert0228]

I really enjoyed this ABC sitcom, in large part to John Ritter. With his passing, I feel that it should not return for a second season. It would be disrespectful, and the show would lose it's quality without Ritter.

Does everyone agree?

[dr_evil]

i think that they will only have a half season ( like 3 episodes)

i think they will air what they have filmed and then make a final episode to end it all:(

[Skinny]

Originally posted by dr_evil
i think that they will only have a half season ( like 3 episodes)

i think they will air what they have filmed and then make a final episode to end it all:(

Man... i seriously think im gonna cry... he is a good and funny man and 8 Simple Rules is a funny show... its really sad to see it all end if it comes to that, and it proably will...

[Raiden]

I think they should air the new episodes, and leave it at that. There is no way the show could continue without Ritter, and I doubt the cast & crew would want to, as well. This is just a tragedy and unfortunately it couldn't have been avoided.

[PapaGeorgioSmrf]

he was in a lot of great movie, i loved problem child, i loved IT, and he was in a lot of other awesome movies and did a lot for family television. it's a shame, and he will be missed

[Darrin1]

There has been some shows where there was a death, main character unable return like "Bewitched" or the main person got booted off or forced off the show and was quickly replaced by another actor managed to continue on a few more seasons. As for the fate of "8 Simple Rules..." If they do plan to continue, they will obviously change the title of the show to something else. And since I only saw a few episodes, there is still some energy from the rest of the cast members. I am just wondering Ritter's character will be mentioned on the show.:(

[teewee1432]

As I said elsewhere I LOVED this show it was one of my favorites and I was just getting prepared to watch the season premire. I loved John Ritter and still am very shocked and saddened by his sudden passing. As of this time no one knows whats gonna happen to the show or if it will still premire on the 23 as planned. They will probley make an annoncement this week on entertainment tonight and access hollywood. I still want them to air the three eposodes that john ritter shot before he died, and maybe do a fourth eposode on dealing with his death on the show. I thought they should end it at that, but now when I heard they abc is weighing there options before they cancel. I think that maybe katey sagel can handle the show on her own as a single mother now. I am completly against a recast and abc better not even try. The cast as a whole had great chemisty and enjoyed working with one another. I stand behind abc's decison to cancel it after all the eposodes are aired, or contiung it with kateys character raising the kids and coping with their dads death. Long as they give ritter the respect he deserves, but either way the show will never be the same. Plus Clifford the big red dog in which ritter did the voice of the dog, and Scrubs in which ritter had a recurring role as Jd's dad is being effeted also.

[Lasgalen]

I love 8 simple rules, but I never know whether to laugh or cry when my brother calls me "Ceri"

[sniktawt]

Originally posted by Darrin1
There has been some shows where there was a death, main character unable return like "Bewitched" or the main person got booted off or forced off the show and was quickly replaced by another actor managed to continue on a few more seasons.

When Redd Foxx Died on the set of his Show, The Royal Family, the show continued for a the rest of the 1991-92 season but it was never the same.8 simple Rules will not be the same without Ritter.Like Red Foxx, he cannot be replaced.
It will be interesting to see what they do.

[Dogbert0228]

Originally posted by teewee1432
As I said elsewhere I LOVED this show it was one of my favorites and I was just getting prepared to watch the season premire. I loved John Ritter and still am very shocked and saddened by his sudden passing. As of this time no one knows whats gonna happen to the show or if it will still premire on the 23 as planned. They will probley make an annoncement this week on entertainment tonight and access hollywood. I still want them to air the three eposodes that john ritter shot before he died, and maybe do a fourth eposode on dealing with his death on the show. I thought they should end it at that, but now when I heard they abc is weighing there options before they cancel. I think that maybe katey sagel can handle the show on her own as a single mother now. I am completly against a recast and abc better not even try. The cast as a whole had great chemisty and enjoyed working with one another. I stand behind abc's decison to cancel it after all the eposodes are aired, or contiung it with kateys character raising the kids and coping with their dads death. Long as they give ritter the respect he deserves, but either way the show will never be the same. Plus Clifford the big red dog in which ritter did the voice of the dog, and Scrubs in which ritter had a recurring role as Jd's dad is being effeted also.


Great points. I too will stand behind a decision to air his taped shows and then air a farewell episode... But I will be against any attempt to recast... But he was such a huge part of the show, despite the other actors' talent and energy, that I just don't see it continuing...

And I had forgotten about Scrubs... His guest role was awesome, and it is dissapointing he won't be returning... I wonder if JD will deal with the death of his father on the show, or if he just won't be mentioned anymore.

This is just such a shame and tragedy... Only 54... And such a good man...

[teewee1432]

Originally posted by Dogbert0228
Great points. I too will stand behind a decision to air his taped shows and then air a farewell episode... But I will be against any attempt to recast... But he was such a huge part of the show, despite the other actors' talent and energy, that I just don't see it continuing...

And I had forgotten about Scrubs... His guest role was awesome, and it is dissapointing he won't be returning... I wonder if JD will deal with the death of his father on the show, or if he just won't be mentioned anymore.

This is just such a shame and tragedy... Only 54... And such a good man...

I know what you mean. I don't watch scubs and didnt really know that ritter played on there untill recently, but still I hope that they won't recast and just write his death on that show also. I really dont see 8 simple rules going on either i was just hoping it might because in a way it would be a truibute to John and it will be like he's still a part of the show in a way. I am still in shock of his passing and I dont wanna let the show go either. But I guess in the end we have no choice. I wonder when there gonna air the 3 taped eposodes though. Abc has some tough decisions to make to fill ritters time slot since that show was such a hit they have to fill it with something equally as great if they decide to cancel it. They really need shows for the whole hour of 8-9 because I was at a critics meeting last thursday and we screened that show I'm with her and I can tell you that that show wont be around to long.

[BlakeAE77]

For those who are curious I heard some news about the show on the radio this morning....The show will go on. They will play the death of Ritter in to the show and find a new cast mate to be either a house cleaner or sitter. I guess like a nanny. But yes, the show will continue.

[Dogbert0228]

Yes, it will continue, and it sounds like ABC is doing so in a very respectful manner. However, I doubt, no, I KNOW the show will never be as good as it was with Ritter, but should remain a good, fairly solid comedy despite. Heres the official news:

Ritter completed three episodes before taking ill last Thursday, a day before taping the fourth. The 54-year-old Emmy-winner died Thursday night of what's believed to be a congentital heart defect.


The three Ritter episodes, featuring special intros from the surviving cast members, will air in order beginning with next week's year-two opener. After, the show will go into reruns in its Tuesday time slot until a revamped, reworked sitcom is ready to air.


What that revamped, reworked sitcom will look like remains to be seen, and more precisely, to be written. About the only details ABC execs were sure of was that Ritter's befuddled father figure would be not recast, and that the show's title would not be changed, even if the "my" in 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter, referred to Ritter's character.


"Future episodes will take viewers into the Hennessy household as they experience the loss of a father," Braun said. "We will not be recasting John. We will play out the situation as real life."

[_manuel_]

Originally posted by Dogbert0228
Yes, it will continue, and it sounds like ABC is doing so in a very respectful manner.

No it doesn't.
From Yahoo news:
Executives said they considered a number of options, including canceling the show.

"This is a business," analyst Steve Sternberg of the ad-buying firm Magna Global USA said of the network's decision. But it's a risky one, he said.

"Initially, the show could benefit from the publicity," Sternberg said. "But they will have to do it well. If they don't, it could flop quickly and ABC will look bad doing it."

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=514&e=9&u=/ap/20030916/ap_on_en_tv/tv_ritter_show_1

[dr_evil]

the show will be cancelled before this year if they continue it without ritter:(

[Kris Hodgson]

I heard a possibility of Ritter's real life friend, Henry Winkler, taking over for him. The episode that was about to be filmed was to feature Henry Winkler playing the kid's uncle. They may (if Winkler is up for it) write it in that the uncle comes to live with them to help deal with the loss of their father.

[Miasma]

Richard Kline is also being considered to replace Ritter (for those who don't remember, he played Jack Tripper's friend on Three's Company.)

[Tony_samo]

I know who can replace Ritter, maybe Tim Allen!!!

[Dione]

I can't believe they're even considering continuing. There's no way it will last.

[Jack's Thumb]

at least they aren't replacing his character as if nothing happened at all. I'm curious to see how a comedy is going to handle the death of a major character. I'll probably keep an eye on it.

[Dione]

Yes, I will watch it on tuesday too, because the actors are going to be talking about him before the show. I will watch it and have a good cry.

[Kris Hodgson]

Yeah, won't it turn a sitcom into a drama. That's pretty heavy material to be on a sitcom.

[teewee1432]

Originally posted by Kris Hodgson
Yeah, won't it turn a sitcom into a drama. That's pretty heavy material to be on a sitcom.

But they have to do what they have to do. Just because its a sitcom doesnt mean its got to be funny all the time. They deal with real life problems to, and unfortunitly that invovles death. With ritters untimely and unfortunate death they have no choice but to deal with this situation the best they can. It will be heartbreaking and funny all in the same time. Because ritter brought laughter and joy to us all, and we'll all be there to see his season premire next week. I plan on sticking with the show in the long run, becuase in a way it's like ritter is still with us.

Plus the tribute show they showed this tuesday was welll done and heartbreaking at the same time. Abc has did a good job with this.

[Dogbert0228]

Going to be watching tonight... Hard not to :(

[youthinasia]

I watched and thought it was great.

[dr_evil]

i watched it last night:)
i thought it was good (not great)
my only problem was that they did a lot of jokes that i heard form other shows:(

[Dione]

I thought it was very funny. It was so weird to laugh and feel so sad at the same time. I didn't cry though, which suprizes me. Probably if my sister would have been with me I would have.

I like the simple dedication at the end...We love you. What more needs to be said?

[slinger]

Never watched the show before, just some brief parts. last night I didn't really watch the cafeteria stuff but I enjoyed it and still watching it I can't really accept that he's gone.

[mo mizzy 215]

I taped the show and I will watch it tonight. I know it will be good.

[dr_evil]

oh i was wondering on the begining of Less than perfect it said "To John"
were they talking about ritter?

[teewee1432]

I saw less then perfect and I assumed that they were referring to john ritter.

I watched and taped 8 simple rules, and I thought that the show was bitter sweet. I liked it though, and I taped it on the back of the john ritter tribute show abc did last tuesday, and I will tape the next 2 eposodes along with the 1 hour one when his character dies.

[Skinny]

im definitely gonna watch those upcoming episodes for 8 Simple Rules... Its gonna be sad...

[Radiohead]

it was kind of funny.
weird seeing him alive, though.

[Dione]

Very weird, I agree. It's so hard to watch someone on TV that you grew up watching and now they're gone. It will take getting used to.

[Diablo]

The first episode of 8 Simple rules was alright... I just didnt like the cafeteria part... kind of weird where they look at each other for the longest time...

But yea it was weird watching John Ritter...