I think that because this was John Ritter's last major project, it's a somewhat sensitive subject to criticize (https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2012/11/25-least-funny-sitcoms-of-all-time/8-simple-rules) the show for what it really was:
Oftentimes thirsty execs will assemble a new sitcom (https://web.archive.org/web/20140407133828/http://forums.televisionwithoutpity.com/topic/3111801-8-simple-rules-for-dating-my-teenage-daughter/?view=getnewpost) with a cast comprised of stars of hit series past and assume that will, above all else, solidify it as a winner. It's obvious that the suits at ABC thought they'd struck gold with the pairing of sitcom legends Jack Tripper and Peg Bundy as the parents of a contemporary suburban family.

Sadly, they wasted the talent because the Hennessy family lacks the hilarious self-possessed cynicism of the Bundy's, and aren't nearly as interesting a foil for Ritter as Joyce DeWitt and Insert Hot Blonde were. Instead, viewers were treated to typical, boring, Modern Day Dad Doesn't Get His Hot Hormonal Teenage Daughters fare. After Ritter's tragic, untimely passing the series only sank lower, with the addition of that show-killing midget David Spade and James Garner, who stumbles through every bland scene and microwaved joke as if he's making up a huge debt he owed to Ritter or someone else on the series.

I liked the show. Ritter’s comedy was unique and has not since been duplicated.

I saw a couple episodes during the first season when we had NO idea John would die soon.

Frankly I didn't like it at all. But looking back it's better than I thought. Plus some guest star episodes were much better like when Terry Bradshaw was on.

Season 2 planned to have John's wife Any on as a teacher for one of the kids & they were going to get in a HUGE argument. That would've been HILARIOUS!! :lol:

I liked the show. Ritter’s comedy was unique and has not since been duplicated.

I think that because John Ritter came from Three's Company, which was a very silly, farcical (and surprisingly risque for its time) show (that was heavily reliant on John's physicality and gift for slapstick) and Katey Sagal came from Married...with Children, which was a very cynical and subversive show for its time (the Ropers on Three's Company could be considered the prototypes for Al and Peggy Bundy), one would think a show co-starring them wouldn't be as decidedly middle of the road and generic. 8 Simple Rules was the type of show that Married...with Children would've satirized had it been on in the '80s-'90s (like The Cosby Show, Growing Pains, and Family Ties).

I saw a couple episodes during the first season when we had NO idea John would die soon.

Frankly I didn't like it at all. But looking back it's better than I thought. Plus some guest star episodes were much better like when Terry Bradshaw was on.

Season 2 planned to have John's wife Any on as a teacher for one of the kids & they were going to get in a HUGE argument. That would've been HILARIOUS!! :lol:

After viewing the Autopsy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bgot2-sbys0) episode about John Ritter's untimely death on Reelz, I do wonder if in hindsight, the signs were visibly there that he was unwell. John at that point in time, obviously had a gut and he didn't look as "fit" as he was in his Three's Company or even Hooperman days. The episode did say that John was a yo-yo dieter and tended to eat unhealthy foods. They also said that John was a smoker, but by the looks of it, he quit around 1979.

One story that I wasn't aware about was that about two weeks prior to his death, John was running up a flight of stairs while on the 8 Simple Rules set. Robby Benson (https://www.huffpost.com/entry/robby-benson-john-ritter_n_4834089), who was directing, noticed that John was out of breath. He always regretted (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaXznW3hH3Y) not telling John about his concerns. But at the time, Benson didn't want to embarrassing him. John also innocently ignored the lingering discomfort in his chest by treating himself with TUMS.

After viewing the Autopsy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bgot2-sbys0) episode about John Ritter's untimely death on Reelz, I do wonder if in hindsight, the signs were visibly there that he was unwell. John at that point in time, obviously had a gut and he didn't look as "fit" as he was in his Three's Company or even Hooperman days. The episode did say that John was a yo-yo dieter and tended to eat unhealthy foods. They also said that John was a smoker, but by the looks of it, he quit around 1979.

One story that I wasn't aware about was that about two weeks prior to his death, John was running up a flight of stairs while on the 8 Simple Rules set. Robby Benson (https://www.huffpost.com/entry/robby-benson-john-ritter_n_4834089), who was directing, noticed that John was out of breath. He always regretted (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaXznW3hH3Y) not telling John about his concerns. But at the time, Benson didn't want to embarrassing him. John also innocently ignored the lingering discomfort in his chest by treating himself with TUM.

Yeah, I saw that REELZ show on Ritter too & started 2 threads on it but I'm surprised hardly anyone has responded!

The biggest shock from that show was he had a full body scan 2 years before his death but LIED to his wife by saying it was clear when it showed CALCIFICATION of the arteries leading to the heart! So John KNEW he had serious heart trouble but REFUSED to get treated!

I don't know if it would've changed anything if Robby Benson told John on that day. John would've likely just blown him off & said it's nothing. It took a brush with DEATH for John to take this seriously but by then it was too late!

Yeah, I saw that REELZ show on Ritter too & started 2 threads on it but I'm surprised hardly anyone has responded!

The biggest shock from that show was he had a full body scan 2 years before his death but LIED to his wife by saying it was clear when it showed CALCIFICATION of the arteries leading to the heart! So John KNEW he had serious heart trouble but REFUSED to get treated!

I don't know if it would've changed anything if Robby Benson told John on that day. John would've likely just blown him off & said it's nothing. It took a brush with DEATH for John to take this seriously but by then it was too late!

We'll never know for sure why John didn't treat his heart problems with more immediacy in the time prior to his death. I suppose that John was one of those people who was concerned that if word got out that he was sick, producers would be reluctant to cast him anymore. I recall that his brother, Tom said that on the Autopsy show. Or maybe, John was one of those, "I'll worry about it when it finally comes" type of people. What I mean is that, he seems perfectly fine at the time, so it's not something that he needed to take care of right away.

The John Ritter episodes of 8 Simple Rules are easily better than John Ritter's more famous sitcom Three's Company. If he hadn't died 8 Simple Rules could have lasted 7 or 8 seasons.

The John Ritter episodes of 8 Simple Rules are easily better than John Ritter's more famous sitcom Three's Company. If he hadn't died 8 Simple Rules could have lasted 7 or 8 seasons.

LMAO!! You on drugs or something?? :lol:

You realize only an extremely TINY minority of people who've seen both shows actually prefer 8 Simple Rules? There's Company BLOWS away 8 Simple Rules by such a HUGE margin it's inconceivable!

Plus don't forget Three's Company was Lucille Ball's favorite show! I think the Queen of Comedy knows better than you! :wave:

We'll never know for sure why John didn't treat his heart problems with more immediacy the time prior to his death. I suppose that John was one of those people who was concerned that if word got out that he was sick, producers would be reluctant to cast him anymore. I recall that his brother, Tom said that on the Autopsy show. Or maybe, John was one of those, "I'll worry about it when it finally comes" type of people. What I mean is that, he seems perfectly fine at the time, so it's not something that need to take care of right away.

But look at Kelly Preston who just died. She was able to hide 2 YEARS of cancer treatment from the public & we only found out she was sick AFTER she died! John could've done the same.

If John simply saw a cardiologist he could've had the same cardiac procedure his brother Tom did & lived DECADES longer!!

LMAO!! You on drugs or something?? :lol:

You realize only an extremely TINY minority of people who've seen both shows actually prefer 8 Simple Rules? There's Company BLOWS away 8 Simple Rules by such a HUGE margin it's inconceivable!

Plus don't forget Three's Company was Lucille Ball's favorite show! I think the Queen of Comedy knows better than you! :wave::rolleyes: Three's Company is the most overrated 70s sitcom that didn't come from Norman Lear. really sleazy writing

:rolleyes: Three's Company is the most overrated 70s sitcom that didn't come from Norman Lear. really sleazy writing

Then how do you explain that it was the Queen of comedy's favorite show??

She would NOT choose some awful show as her favorite! :rolleyes:

I like Lucille Ball in her shows, doesn't mean I have to agree with her being a Three's Company fan. It is nowhere near I Love Lucy's quality.

Then how do you explain that it was the Queen of comedy's favorite show??

She would NOT choose some awful show as her favorite! :rolleyes:

She hated "All in the Family", so I guess we all can't like that show.

It's an opinion. :rolleyes:

She hated "All in the Family", so I guess we all can't like that show.

It's an opinion. :rolleyes:

Yeah , to each their own ! ;) There is no right or wrong just a matter of opinion ! :)

Personally , my favorite role of John Ritter was neither in 3's company nor 8 Simple rules! I loved him as Reverend Matthew Fordwick in The Waltons ! Yes, John Ritter played a recurring role in The Waltons as a Baptist preacher in the 1930's !! :) One of his earliest roles ! He is a wonderful dramatic actor along with being a great comedic actor ! He was also really good in a made for TV movie " Heartbeat" ( 1992 -93 ? ) , another dramatic role !;)

She hated "All in the Family", so I guess we all can't like that show.

It's an opinion. :rolleyes:

That was probably due to Bunker's racism.

Yet Isabel Sanford saw the show BEFORE she was cast in it and said she burst out laughing watching the show! And she was BLACK! I think we'd be surprised how many blacks liked AITF back then.

I'm not saying it's anywhere near a majority but it's more than we think!

That was probably due to Bunker's racism.

Yet Isabel Sanford saw the show BEFORE she was cast in it and said she burst out laughing watching the show! And she was BLACK! I think we'd be surprised how many blacks liked AITF back then.

I'm not saying it's anywhere near a majority but it's more than we think!

I think All in the family was too political for Lucy and the comedy was more in dialogue ! She liked more physical, slapstick comedy like it was in her own (Lucy) shows, and more lighthearted humor that 3's company provided! ;):)

I think All in the family was too political for Lucy and the comedy was more in dialogue ! She liked more physical, slapstick comedy like it was in her own (Lucy) shows, and more lighthearted humor that 3's company provided! ;):)

That's why Three's Company was her favorite show! :wave:

That's why Three's Company was her favorite show! :wave:


I agree ! ;) It was similar to her kind of humor !! :):D

I agree ! ;) It was similar to her kind of humor !! :):D

That's what I don't get! HOW can anyone DISLIKE the Queen of Comedy's favorite show?? :confused:

I do sometimes imagine whenever I think about John Ritter, how things would've turned out had he not passed away when he did? I'm pretty certain that 8 Simple Rules could've had a reasonably solid run had he lived. I mean, the next best comedy that ABC had at the time was arguably According to Jim.

And I do wonder by extension how Kaley Cuoco's career would've panned out had John Ritter lived. With 8 Simple Rules running longer than it did, she likely doesn't show up on Charmed in its final season. And she in all likelihood, wouldn't have landed on The Big Bang Theory if she was already tied to another sitcom.

But look at Kelly Preston who just died. She was able to hide 2 YEARS of cancer treatment from the public & we only found out she was sick AFTER she died! John could've done the same.

If John simply saw a cardiologist he could've had the same cardiac procedure his brother Tom did & lived DECADES longer!!

If there are any silver linings behind John Ritter's death, it's that we can't be denying and lying about our health to the point that it killed us. I also believe that John may have increased the public awareness concerning aortic aneurysms. Doctors seemingly, didn't really know how to diagnose aneurysms up until about the late 1980s. And even then, the doctors under John's care treated his condition like a heart attack, which just made it worse.

Doctor Hunter on the Autopsy show did conclude that he believes that John and Tom may have been genetically predisposed to having aortic defects. Their dad, Tex suddenly died (https://www.nytimes.com/1974/01/03/archives/tex-ritter-67-singing-cowboy-of-screen-and-records-is-dead-country.html) from what was believed to be a heart attack.

I do sometimes imagine whenever I think about John Ritter, how things would've turned out had he not passed away when he did? I'm pretty certain that 8 Simple Rules could've had a reasonably solid run had he lived. I mean, the next best comedy that ABC had at the time was arguably According to Jim.

And I do wonder by extension how Kaley Cuoco's career would've panned out had John Ritter lived. With 8 Simple Rules running longer than it did, she likely doesn't show up on Charmed in its final season. And she in all likelihood, wouldn't have landed on The Big Bang Theory if she was already tied to another sitcom.

John wanted to do 8 years of 8 Simple Rules as his farewell to sitcom television. So, if he lived for all 8 seasons Kaley would've never done Big Bang Theory. I know nothing about Charmed. I don't even like Big Bang Theory but I know it was pretty popular for some dumb reason.

But look at Kelly Preston who just died. She was able to hide 2 YEARS of cancer treatment from the public & we only found out she was sick AFTER she died! John could've done the same.

If John simply saw a cardiologist he could've had the same cardiac procedure his brother Tom did & lived DECADES longer!!

I'm not necessarily saying that this directly implies to John Ritter, but I suspect that there are simply some people out there in the world who are for whatever the reasons (https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/why-more-americans-are-putting-off-going-to-the-doctor), "hard headed" or stubborn when it pertains to going to the doctor (https://www.verywellhealth.com/reasons-people-dont-go-to-the-doctor-4779661#:~:text=People%20may%20resist%20going%20to,experience%20of%20generally%20anxiety%2Dprovoking.) and going what they tell you to do.

My father during the last five and a half years of his life had issues with high blood pressure. But he was quite adamant that he didn't want to take the meds that were prescribed to him to treat and regulate his blood pressure.

In a round about way, it kind of reminds me of that episode (https://threescompany.fandom.com/wiki/Jack_Goes_to_the_Dentist) that John did of Three's Company, where is character Jack Tripper had a toothache but didn't want to go (https://www.quora.com/Why-do-people-avoid-going-to-the-doctors) to a dentist because he was scared of them.

I want to reiterate a simple observation, there are no guarantees in life about anything.

Yes, John may have extended his life by seeking more treatment about his health or it may have ended his acting career anyway. Had John been seeking more treatments, it may have delayed the taping of the show, leaked out to the press and caused him to be replaced. It can and does happen to actors. They can be asked to step down if their "health" is out of control.

I think the best thing that can be said about John Ritter is that he continued working doing something that he enjoyed all the way to the end. True, he may have prolonged his life or the studios could have blacklisted him as a "regular". They are afraid that a person with a known condition may croak on the set and they will be sued into oblivion for allowing a person with adverse health conditions to be working.

I want to reiterate a simple observation, there are no guarantees in life about anything.

Yes, John may have extended his life by seeking more treatment about his health or it may have ended his acting career anyway. Had John been seeking more treatments, it may have delayed the taping of the show, leaked out to the press and caused him to be replaced. It can and does happen to actors. They can be asked to step down if their "health" is out of control.

I think the best thing that can be said about John Ritter is that he continued working doing something that he enjoyed all the way to the end. True, he may have prolonged his life or the studios could have blacklisted him as a "regular". They are afraid that a person with a known condition may croak on the set and they will be sued into oblivion for allowing a person with adverse health conditions to be working.

I have to naturally assume that television productions have insurance polices (https://www.quora.com/How-do-studios-cope-with-an-actor-passing-away-during-a-filming-Are-there-insurance-policies-that-cover-unforeseen-events-like-this-during-filming) just like on feature films (https://www.insurancejournal.com/magazines/mag-features/2001/09/17/18502.htm) just in case something dire happens like if an actor dies (https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1wwc34/eli5_what_happens_if_an_actor_dies_during_the/) in the middle of the production (https://riskandinsurance.com/protecting-movie-productions/).

Next month will officially mark 30 years since John Candy suddenly died (https://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/01/archives/film-from-the-grave-the-show-still-goes-on.html) of a heart attack while in the middle of shooting the film Wagon's East. I read (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wagons_East#Production) that the studio, Carolco received (https://www.cinemablend.com/new/Fast-Furious-7-Insurance-Claim-Largest-Movie-History-43107.html) an insurance payout of $15.3 million after his death.

No one cared about it when it was on

Only now people are acting like it was Full House level lol

She hated "All in the Family", so I guess we all can't like that show.

It's an opinion. :rolleyes:

Lucille Ball famously hosted a "best of" retrospective episode of Three's Company in 1982. This is what she said (https://transcripts.foreverdreaming.org/viewtopic.php?t=66751) at the top of the episode:
You know what I
like about this show?

It doesn't try to change the
world or solve any major problems.

All it does is make us laugh
and forget our own cares.

That's my kind of comedy.

You can if you want, interpret it as Lucille Ball saying that when she's talking about Three's Company not being a show that "tries to change the world or solve any major problems", she's talking directly about Norman Lear (https://ejunkieblog.com/2024/08/19/sitcoms-before-norman-lear/)'s brand (https://www.tellytalk.net/threads/lucille-ball-and-threes-company.10795/post-278978) of sitcoms (All in the Family (https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=293622), Good Times, Maude, The Jeffersons, etc.), which interjected a lot of "its time" social commentary.

Miss Ball says (https://www.csmonitor.com/1984/0516/051606.html) she was in shock when ''All in the Family'' first went on the air. ''My whole lifetime I never called anybody (derogatory ethnic names). Those words had been put out of our vocabulary. And in one night, they were put back in by Archie Bunker. And kids began using them again. And now they're still there. Despite the success of the show, it has left a legacy of those awful words.''