In my opinion, ABC should've pulled the plug on '8 Simple Rules' after Ritter died. I knew after when they announced on the news (over a year ago), about John Ritter's unexpected death, that they should've pulled the plug on the show right than and there. He was the main charater of the show, and it was centered around him. With a legendary actor like John Ritter, why is anyone surprised that it was canceled not too long after Ritter died. People tuned in to see Ritter, not Katy Sagal, nor Kaley Cucoc, or Amy Davidson, or Martin Spangers. That was the main reason why I watched the show, because of John.:jack

I think that it should have been cancelled shortly after his death. I didn't just watch the show for him but without him things just didn't seem as intreasting or funny.

At the time, I didn't think so and I am still ambivalent about it. I did tune in to see Kaley Cuoco and I am glad for the laughs and the moments of Season 3. Still, it is sad how ABC let it bleed to death slowly like it did. It may have been more merciful to cancel it after Paul's funeral. I had just as soon it had been cancelled as to have it become The David Spade Show.

People tuned in to see Ritter



That's far from the truth for some fans. I never watched this show when John was in it. I started watching it when they had the goodbye episode. They did the best they could after John's death and I thought it was great.

ABC should have cancelled the show after Ritter's death. He was the centerpiece of a sitcom which became more aimed at teenage girls when more storylines were centered around Bridget and Kerry. I stopped watching after the John Ritter tribute.

In my opinion, ABC should've pulled the plug on '8 Simple Rules' after Ritter died. I knew after when they announced on the news (over a year ago), about John Ritter's unexpected death, that they should've pulled the plug on the show right than and there. He was the main charater of the show, and it was centered around him. With a legendary actor like John Ritter, why is anyone surprised that it was canceled not too long after Ritter died. People tuned in to see Ritter, not Katy Sagal, nor Kaley Cucoc, or Amy Davidson, or Martin Spangers. That was the main reason why I watched the show, because of John.:jack
That's not really true, like myself I tuned in to watch Kaley, teenagers tuned into see some of the kid actors too because it's something they can relate too. Most of the younger viewers had no idea who John was. I'm sure most of the adults only watched because of John but another half tuned into watch the other actors, like Katey, she's a legend herself with her funny acting skills on Married With Children.

Even Mary-Kate and Ashley fans tuned in to watch Martin, he played in Two of a kind. Even fans of the Olsen's tuned in to watch Amy because she played with the olsens in So Little Time, same with Bridget/Kerry's Boyfriend, can't remember his name. John Ritter just happen to be a big bonus because he added the "funny" in the show.

I didn't watch it for John, I didn't even like his character but the show was pointless without him.

It wasn't funny until David Spade came along.With just Jim coming into the show,it wasn't that funny

That's far from the truth for some fans. I never watched this show when John was in it. I started watching it when they had the goodbye episode. They did the best they could after John's death and I thought it was great.

To be honest, I barely knew anything about John Ritter when I initially tuned into the show. I watched it from the start, because it was funny.

Even though Ritter's death was nobody's fault, I phased out of the show after he was gone. Even the title ceased to have a real function anymore. If any new viewers want to find out what the show was REALLY about, they'll be advised to watch only the first season, the best part of the whole run.

I'm gonna be honest, and though John Ritter is one of my favorite people ever, his character was NOT my favorite in 8SR, but i think the show did a good job without him.

I think the majority did watch for John Ritter though and thats the reason the ratings really fell in season 3 when it became more of The David Spade Show. I never liked him on JSM but I did on 8SM but the show was not really the same without John and I did miss a lot of episodes during season 3 even though it was one of the few sitcoms I still watched.

Even if you watch the show because you like the other charectors the main plot line disapeared without him.

Even if you watch the show because you like the other charectors the main plot line disapeared without him.
Thats why they changed the name of the show.

as hard as they tried without mr ritter the heart of the show was gone

In my opinion, ABC should've pulled the plug on '8 Simple Rules' after Ritter died. I knew after when they announced on the news (over a year ago), about John Ritter's unexpected death, that they should've pulled the plug on the show right than and there. He was the main charater of the show, and it was centered around him. With a legendary actor like John Ritter, why is anyone surprised that it was canceled not too long after Ritter died. People tuned in to see Ritter, not Katy Sagal, nor Kaley Cucoc, or Amy Davidson, or Martin Spangers. That was the main reason why I watched the show, because of John.:jack

Personally, I do STRONGLY agree and as an added fact, they've should have aborted the show IMMEDIATELY after Ritter-san's death on 11 September 2003:rip: Unbelievable!

That's not really true, like myself I tuned in to watch Kaley, teenagers tuned into see some of the kid actors too because it's something they can relate too. Most of the younger viewers had no idea who John was. I'm sure most of the adults only watched because of John but another half tuned into watch the other actors, like Katey, she's a legend herself with her funny acting skills on Married With Children.

Even Mary-Kate and Ashley fans tuned in to watch Martin, he played in Two of a kind. Even fans of the Olsen's tuned in to watch Amy because she played with the olsens in So Little Time, same with Bridget/Kerry's Boyfriend, can't remember his name. John Ritter just happen to be a big bonus because he added the "funny" in the show.

I tuned in to watch both John and Katey in first season,but I found that Katey's acting skills were equally as good as John's. When John died, I became hooked on Katey because I had seen Futurama,and before that Married with Children. Katey Sagal is a good actress who deserved a lot more recognition than what they were giving her. You see,I grew up on watching both John's work and Katey's. You are right. Katey is a legend. Katey can be funny too,it's just her humor is displayed differently than John's. John's was physical humor,and Katey's consists of funny lines and facial expressions. Her humor is a bit more serious. John and Katey's humor contributed to the success of 8SR.

I know that John Ritter would of wanted the show to continue, but I personally think there was no point to the show after he was gone. Like some have said, even the title is pointless when he passed away. The only reason why I watched the show was because of him, and after the "Goodbye" episode, I never watched the show again.

What would've kept the show on for another season is if they had Kyle added as part of the cast.That would've been cool

I know that John Ritter would of wanted the show to continue, but I personally think there was no point to the show after he was gone. Like some have said, even the title is pointless when he passed away. The only reason why I watched the show was because of him, and after the "Goodbye" episode, I never watched the show again.

This is the problem 8SR faced. Too many people just gave up on it after John Ritter's death. Everyone watched the Goodbye episode, and then said since John was gone there is no point in watching anymore. These people could not have been any more wrong.

The show took a few months to find itself, but it continued to be a different, but still good show without John Ritter. Katey Sagal, Kaley Cuoco, and the new cast editions kept the show still a good show to watch. It was much different but still worth watching. This is my regret as a big 8SR fan. I wish more people would have given it a chance rather than just giving up on it, because John Ritter was gone. It was still one of the better sitcoms on TV. I really wish more people just would have given it a chance :(