I just finished watching this episode from Season 6, which I DVR'd last night. First time I had seen it in years. Not as cringeworthy as most other "very special" sitcom episodes tend to be. There were a couple strange things though, like referencing "AIDS" throughout the episode without mentioning "HIV" even once. I was a little bothered by David walking around a hospital wing with a friggin video camera, filming with patients in plain sight. And the one guy telling David that Rich is down the hall "with all the other AIDS patients." There was another strange moment where Sandy was telling David about HER friend who had died from AIDS. It was just kind of a long & awkward scene. They never mentioned how Rich got AIDS, although at the end David preached to students about practicing safe sex ... (yet no mention of needles?). Finally, this is one episode where Antenna TV's credit crunching really bothered me. The closing credits were flashback shots of Dave and Rich from older episodes. But because of the stupid crunching, we didn't get the full picture or the accompanying music.

I really enjoyed that episode, but didn't like the fact that Rich's character died. I never noticed the things you pointed out before, but you're right. I remember watching that episode not long ago, and those things were true! Guess the HIV thing had to do with it being filmed in late 90, but you'd still think they would. I do remember reading somewhere (I'll have to see if I can remember where) that Rich supposedly stayed in Europe or something for a year, or he was away or something, I'm having trouble remembering what exactly I read. I always assumed he got it from sleeping around, but you're right, they never really say anything about that, except what David said at the end about safe sex. I wish they had been more clear on that. This episode is supposed to be coming back on soon, I think.