First off, as weird as it sounds, I still am not "over" John's death. I have every episode of 8SR backed up on DVD's as data, as I downloaded them off of BitTorrent when they originally aired (Obviously I watched them on TV as well, but I don't have a TiVo).

Anywho, I spent the whole day yesterday and today after work watching the first season's episodes. I realized that I really miss the show, already, and of course John as well. I almost feel as though I lost a family member.

As sad as it sounds, I got over my great grandmother's death about 13 years ago quicker than John's, and I LOVED her so much. My German Shepard dog Storm, whom we had for 14 years died a couple years ago; and although thinking about him makes me sad, I can go months without thinking of him. However, John just isn't like that. I own all 4 seasons of 3's company on DVD, and any time I pass my DVD shelf and see the DVD's of 3's company, I think of how much I miss him. Anytime I see David Spade in those Capital One "NO" commericals, I think of Ritter. Anytime I see reruns of Married With Children, I think of John. Obviously, any time I see 3's company I think of John...

Watching those 1st season episodes yesterday and today, I realized WHY 8SR got cancelled. I mean, obviously it was the ratings. Yes, it did better than LTP, but either way, it was performing considerably worse than it should have been. Trust me, I wish it had been renewed; but WHY?

Because it was work of Ritter's... Because I love all the actors, I love all the characters? I happen to think Kaley Cuoco and Amy Davidson are both insanely hot and will miss seeing them weekly? I'd say all of the above... Notice what's left out... The comedy.

Now, I am not saying the show wasn't funny anymore; but after watching these first season episodes again, I can't believe how much BETTER the show was back then. I love Garner and Spade, they did the best they could, and they were funny. However, the comedy SHIFTED majorly.

1 thing that changed, was Rory's usage. Rory was #2 on my funny list for the first season, with Paul being #1. Rory was HILARIOUS. The way he was used, he'd have but a few lines per episode, but EVERYTHING he said had the live audience howling. Whether it be "Dad, do you think I'm pretty" in the pilot, which easily drew the largest laugh of the show from the audience, or after just walking inside and hearing that Bridget was caught shoplifting, saying the smartass "I won't go outside, everyone will say 'there goes the shoplifter's brother'".

Everything he said was gold. EVERYTHING. Remember this?

Bridget: "Daddy deformed me; I'm a monster"
Cate: "Oh honey, you're not deformed"
Rory: "Hello Clarice, FghFghFghFghFgh."

Again, drawing a huge laugh. Then following up just minutes later with Paul, Cate, and Rory on the couch trying to avoid Bridget's statement.

Bridget: "It makes me look shallow"
Cate, Paul, Rory: *Looking at shoes*
Bridget: "I said it makes me look shallow"
Bridget: "... Oh my God, you all think I'm shallow"
Rory: "Well, we're not looking at our shoes to check for scuff marks"

Again, HUGE audience reaction.

Paul: "So what's going on with my family"
Rory: "Well, no one loves your daughters"
Cate: "OK RORY, that's it. NO DINNER!"
Rory: "Oh man, and we were having vegetarian meatloaf and palenta"

Just gold. His sarcasm was amazing. He had very few lines, but everyone was perfect.

However, to be honest, the last time I actually laughed OUT loud at Rory, was in the 3rd season episode "Car Trouble", where Rory asked Bridget and Kerry, "So which one of you hoes is taking me". That's IT. After that, I simply did not laugh out loud at any Rory lines. His sarcasm was gone. Basically, he became a male version of Bridget and the "new" Kerry. Always talking on the phone, saying "dude, she's smoking hot", and all. His role had changed HUGELY, and IMO, for the worse.

Kerry broke out of her shell, so she was now popular, and actually was the one to do drugs, to have sex and the like. I don't think it really hurt her comedy aspect, except there is no doubt she was MUCH less sarcastic. She no longer bashed Bridget to hell for being the "dumb" blond, or Rory for being the "geek". Kerry actually had a lot of funny stuff in the 1st season though, but considerably less in the following 2.

Bridget, IMO just was more of the same. However her dumb blond stuff didn't really seem to keep believable. When she did stuff like the "They are going to give me a limo and chauffer" when referring to getting a "full ride" to princeton... It just wasn't believable like her 1st season days of "define sexually active".

Cate, was basically the same, but sadly couldn't have feuds with Paul over what to do. This IMO lead to less comedy on her part, as their "partners" aspect they played was fantastic. She did what she could though.

C.J... What can I say. He's the one who could keep me laughing. David Spade has an aspect about him that I just love when it comes to comedy. His referring to Kerry in "The Drug Dog" of "Kerry Downing Jr." and "Whitney Houston"; or referring to Jim as "Old Yellar". In a similar way in C.J's Party, when talking to his dormmate about the info on the hottie who broke up with her boyfriend, he said "Thanks for the tip Martha", obviously referring to Martha Stewart's conviction. That is what made the C.J. character awesome for me. David Spade's flare about him is played well for C.J.

Jim, was as good as you could ask for a grandpa character without ripping off Everybody Loves Raymond. He was sarcastic, he was serious, he was everything.

The problem of course, is that even these 2 fantastic actors were not able to fill the void that was created after John's Death. Not because they weren't funny, but because their characters were not able to get into the same conflicts that Paul could.

Another thing was lack of recurring characters. What happened to "Anthony W." the "Jehova's Witness", or Lacy, or Jenna, or Missy Kleinfeld, or maybe most important Kyle? Breaking up Kyle and Kerry probably wasn't the smartest decision. Kyle provided some cool "dumb moments", and being paired with smart Kerry was nice.

So, after all that, my conclusion is, I think the change of the characters, specifically Rory, hurt the comedy. I said the last time I laughed out loud at RORY was "Car Trouble". "The last time I laughed out loud at the show in general? "Secrets", when the officer asked for "A Gorgeous blond named C.J."

That's it. Since then, I obviously laughed, lots of good stuff. But nothing mind blowing; and I am afraid that was the case for others as well.

Rewatching these first seasons episodes has really made feel kinda sad. I LOVE them, I LOVE the show, the characters and actors... and of course, John. If I had a genie, and I only had one wish; again, as "pathetic" as it sounds, I'd wish for the terrible tragedy of a death to John so early in his life to never have happened. I never knew the guy, I never have been west of Chicago to have possibly have had the chance to see him in person; but he means/meant SO much to me. 8SR's cancellation almost seems like reliving John's death all over again. He is offically "dead" now. After he died, Bad Santa came out, obviously 8SR was still on, and his character "lived on". BillyBob Thorton when out and about on talk shows promoting Bad Santa always talked about how much he loved John and missed him.

With this being said, since I obviously DON'T have a genie, nor a time machine, I want the next best thing, and that is to see as much of John's work as possible. How? DVD's. I'd LOVE to see 8SR's three seasons on DVD, and most important, with a TON of extras. I've love to see all shows I love with tons of extras, but none more than 8SR and Three's Company. What kinda stuff? How about especially for the 1st season, TONS of behind the scenes stuff. I'm talking actual footage from the tapings, including views of the audience, the introductions, outtakes/bloopers, cut scenes/deleted scenes, line rewrites... EVERYTHING. In the "Remembering John Ritter" special Katey said that John was hilarious behind the scenes and during the tapings when they'd screw up or change stuff. As did Joyce DeWitt and Susanne Somers for 3's Company. I'd love to see it. Even stuff that wasn't necesarily funny. I always wanted to go to a 8SR taping, and was planning on it during it's 4th season, but of course, there isn't going to be one. The reason being besides the obvious of seeing it live, would be to see all the cool behind the scenes stuff. That's how much a fan I am. I'd pay as much as I could afford for a DVD set with hours of cool extras.

I get sad whenever I think of John, and when I watch the 1st season of 8SR, it's almost like he's alive again. Like the show is premeiring for the first time all over again. But switching over to Season 2 Episode 4 brings back the tears... I think another reason why the 1st season bring so many happy things is because I for the most part was happier with my life in 2002/early 2003. Not necessarily because of Ritter or 8SR, but because I hadn't moved to the area I now live, which I hate. I was in HighSchool at the time, and had lived in that area for 11 years, and was leaving all of my good friends and good memories behind. Then, 9/12/03 I was in school in the guidance office and was watching a 9/11/01 memorial special, and was generally depressed because of having to remember a tragedy like 9/11. Later that night I was on my computer and I was on the net, actually discussing the new season of 8SR and how much I was looking forward to it. I overheard from my TV "A classic TV star has died. An interview with costar Jennilee Harrison coming up next". I thought they were talking about Don Knotts dying... They came back from the commercial and they were displaying a picture of John with 1948-2003 under it... I instantly burst into tears... I could NOT believe it.

Ever since that day, I just kinda had an empty feeling regarding that. I still cannot believe it, and I don't think I ever will. He was so young, had so much left to do...

Anyway, this post is long as it is, so I won't drag it on any longer. I guess I just had to get my feelings out; because it's hard to believe I am still feeling this way.

You are not alone! I'm still grieving over John. I miss him more everyday. I think about him 24/7. He was such a wonderful person and I wish that I could have met him and told him how much he ment to me. God I miss him! He was so funny and so prescious! I feel horrible for Amy, Jason, Carly, Tyler & Tom, but most of all for little Stella. She was just way too young to have her beloved father taken away from her! It just breaks my heart to think about it. I watch at least one of John's shows or movies everyday. Three's Company has always been my favorite, with 8 Simple Rules coming in a close second. It was wonderful to see John playing his favorite role, a loving father. Like you, I would love to see 8 Simple Rules on dvd, especially with extras. I'd love to see John making everyone laugh behind the scenes. Even when I've had the worst day of my life, I can come home and watch John fall out of the hammock, or yell at Bridget's boyfriend, and I forget all of my troubles. He can always make me laugh.

I just wanted you to know that you are definately not alone. I still cry every now and then when I think of him. It's just so hard to accept the fact that he is gone.

I'm still not over John's death too. I cry everytime I see him in a movie that they show on Lifetime or Hallmark. My cousin is having her second child and it's going to a boy. She happens to tell me that they are naming the boy John. Last Sunday my priest was talking about John the Baptist. But just saying the word John over and over. I wanted to cry 'cause I just thought of John Ritter. Sadly I think of him everyday and to me it's too hard to not think of him. I try to think of funny moments, my favorite memories or laughing when I'm watching Three's Company. I can't do it. His death just comes in my mind everytime. :crying: :(

I just wish he wasn't dead and maybe this is a bad dream that I want to wake up from. To me, I think John was one of those people who couldn't die. He was one of those people who would be the last person on earth living.

This was a great post-- one of the best I've read in a long time. I agree with you-- John can and never will be replaced in my heart. I would give anything to bring him back here, although that'll never happen in reality :( I do wish we could invent a time machine(hell, we've got nearly everything else). I guess all I can do is dream.


I miss him more and more each day. :(

You know what's freaky? I have thought before, when I am thinking about John's death, how I wish he not been buried, but "frozen" cryogenically. Why? Because of course the latter part of the thinking is that they'd officially find a way to "revive" cryogenically frozen bodies... I know it's kinda sick, but that's just how hard it has hit me.

Also, with time machines, I have thought about that too. Thinking about going back to 9/11/03, and running to the studio and telling John, "you're sickness is serious. Get to the hospital NOW". Afterall, they said that had he gone to the hospital immediately when he felt sick and thought he was food poisoned, he'd likely to have lived.

It's kinda sick, even morbid, especially when you consider how his family would feel. But I just miss him that bad. I think in part it had to do with him still being so young. When Caroll O'Connor died in 01, I was devastated. However, that was mainly because there was officially no chance of an All in the Family reunion. Caroll O'Connor was in his 80's though, and I accepted the fact that he was old. Old people, sadly get sick. I was sad, but was over it in a matter of days.

With John, it's just not that way. Almost 2 years since his death and I feel as though he will still be on TV... It really freaks me out. I think I need to speak to a psychiatrist. :p

Oh, I don't think you need to at all :D I feel the same way, hon....I do wish we could've prevented it, you know? John was just a special guy. I miss him so much.

Two days ago, I was bored and really upset so I thought I would write a letter to you guys and post it on September 11. But I think right now is the best time to tell you guys how John really did change my life. Sorry if it's kinda long! I'm not posting the whole letter, just most of it. Cause it's pretty long!! lol! :p On September 11, I'll post the first half, but for now, I'll just post the part of how special John is to me. :)


When John was alive, I liked him and had respect for him, but I was more into actors and actresses my age. Because I thought I could relate to them more. I found out I was dead wrong when I learned more about John. John and I had the same likes, dislikes, opinions, and interests. I remember thinking, "He's a lot like me!!" I learned so much from John. I've never met him face to face, but sometimes I feel him with me. It now feels like he's apart of me. Some of you might think this is weird but...John was more of a father to me than my own dad. I don't have a dad. Biologically (sp) yeah I do, but I don't need blood to tell me that my mother's ex-husband, Jake, is my father. He has done stuff that shook up my world and it is unforgivable and he continues to do terrible things. I learned important life lessons from John that Jake could have NEVER taught me ever. Before I learned these things from John, I was a cutter and I tried to kill myself last April. When I learned these lessons I stopped cutting. I still have my scars and when I look at them I don't want to cut anymore. And that is because of the life lessons I learned. The lessons I learned from John saved my life. He is my role model, my idol, and the reason why I am alive today. Without him, I don't think I'd even be here.

Thank you John, I love you. And I love all of you guys too! :D
Kristen :)

Oh my god, honey, that was soooo touching :crying: You and I have loads in common too! I am so glad John was there for you when you needed someone most...he seems to fill a lot of voids, huh? *hugs you*








Two days ago, I was bored and really upset so I thought I would write a letter to you guys and post it on September 11. But I think right now is the best time to tell you guys how John really did change my life. Sorry if it's kinda long! I'm not posting the whole letter, just most of it. Cause it's pretty long!! lol! :p On September 11, I'll post the first half, but for now, I'll just post the part of how special John is to me. :)


When John was alive, I liked him and had respect for him, but I was more into actors and actresses my age. Because I thought I could relate to them more. I found out I was dead wrong when I learned more about John. John and I had the same likes, dislikes, opinions, and interests. I remember thinking, "He's a lot like me!!" I learned so much from John. I've never met him face to face, but sometimes I feel him with me. It now feels like he's apart of me. Some of you might think this is weird but...John was more of a father to me than my own dad. I don't have a dad. Biologically (sp) yeah I do, but I don't need blood to tell me that my mother's ex-husband, Jake, is my father. He has done stuff that shook up my world and it is unforgivable and he continues to do terrible things. I learned important life lessons from John that Jake could have NEVER taught me ever. Before I learned these things from John, I was a cutter and I tried to kill myself last April. When I learned these lessons I stopped cutting. I still have my scars and when I look at them I don't want to cut anymore. And that is because of the life lessons I learned. The lessons I learned from John saved my life. He is my role model, my idol, and the reason why I am alive today. Without him, I don't think I'd even be here.

Thank you John, I love you. And I love all of you guys too! :D
Kristen :)

Thank you for sharing that Kristen. :crying: I've been at that point in my life and John helped me through it to. I'm always here for you when you need me! God Bless you! Hugs!

Wow... that letter is really inspirational to me! I feel exactly the same way, only more so on September 11. My emotions on that day are just overwhelming. I also wish that there was a way to bring him back to warn him so he could be fixed. Those doctors are so stupid, if they had taken the right procedures to save his life, that is what would have been done. Amy Yasbeck (John's widow) has filed a wronful death lawsuit, and I hope she wins. She has said so many times that the minute he arrived at the hospital, he should have gone into surgery and if that would have happened, he would still be alive today!!! That is what makes his death not only tragic, but makes you angry :mad: . I mean, we could still have him today if they had just taken the right steps in the first place!!! Sooooooooooo sickening!!! I just miss him so much, he was such a fantastic guy,and actor! Just mrvelous in every sense of the word!! :rip: :jack

*proceeds to hug everyone above me*!!

I listen to this song everyday. I sung this song after his death in my school talent show. Before I sung it, I said, "John this one's for you."

Lyrics[U]

Time passes by so quickly,
But I guess I thought you'd be here forever,
I never even had the chance to say goodbye,
Theres so many things to tell you, Left unsaid until now,

Can you hear me when I talk to you?
Do the words I say ever make it through?
Can you hear me when I talk to you?
Cause' I'd give anything if I just knew..

Everynight I have the same dream,
The one where you get to hold me,
We laugh and talk until the morning, and then you vanish...yea..
It always leaves me feeling helpless, When i wake up and your not there,

Can you hear me when I talk to you?
Do you know how much I'd love to be with you?
Can you hear me when I talk to you?
Cause' I'd give anytihng if I just knew.

Living in this world without you,
I constantly search through my memories,
Hoping that I'll find some treasures that I passed over...yea
All that I took for granted,
Means so much now and I won't let it go.

Can you hear me when I talk to you?
Cause I never said somethings that I meant to
Can you hear me when I talk to you?
Cause I'd give anything if I just knew..

Ya know I never said something that I meant to,
Can you hear me when I talk to you?
Cause I'd give anythign if I just knew...

I Miss You John


p.s. John was like a father to me than my own father. My real father isn't nice. John made me feel warm and safe. A person I could always turn to when I needed a laugh. But I'm just lucky to know him since I was a little girl. Both Nancy and John lived in my neighborhood growing up until my family moved when I was 16. I didn't always stay in touch after that, until I went to L.A. for something.

^^ I know! I hate those doctors too! :mad: I wish he were still alive. But when I look back on his life and hear from his loved ones about his life, I realize he did everything down here on Earth he needed to do! :D He helped people and reached out to people. But then I think of little Stella and it makes me wish even more that he was alive. I actually write letters to John, and put them in the back of a picture frame. It just helps to let it all out!! lol :D