LATEST INSTALLMENT OF ABC NEWS’ ‘SUPERSTAR’ SERIES JOURNEYS THROUGH THE LIFE AND CAREER OF 1970s COMEDIC GENIUS JOHN RITTER

Primetime Event Features New Interviews with Jason Ritter, Nancy Ritter and Amy Yasbeck
‘Superstar: John Ritter’ Airs Wednesday, Aug. 25 (10:00-11:00 p.m. EDT), on ABC


The latest installment of ABC News’ new series “Superstar” journeys through the life and career of comedic genius John Ritter. The program chronicles how Ritter became a top comedy icon of the 1970s, how he landed his starring role on the ABC hit “Three’s Company,” and how he found success as an actor outside of comedy. The television event also dives into his personal life and sudden and tragic death at just 54 years old that stunned the world. “Superstar: John Ritter” has new interviews with his son, Jason Ritter, and his first wife, Nancy Ritter, who open up about their memories of him and his legacy. The program includes interviews with top actors who worked with and were influenced by Ritter, including “Three’s Company” co-star Suzanne Somers, Bryan Cranston, Jimmy Kimmel, Kaley Cuoco, Henry Winkler and Raven-Symoné. “Superstar: John Ritter” also features footage from the ABC News archives, including Ritter’s interview with ABC News’ Barbara Walters, never-before-seen family videos as well as an interview with Ritter’s wife Amy Yasbeck, on her efforts to raise awareness for the aortic disease Ritter passed away from. “Superstar: John Ritter” airs Wednesday, Aug. 25 (10:00-11:00 p.m. EDT), on ABC. It can also be viewed the next day on demand and on Hulu.

“Superstar” is produced by ABC News. David Sloan is senior executive producer. Muriel Pearson is executive producer.

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Ironically, a lot of us are Unsolved Mysteries
bloggers as well, going against Circleville Letter Writer on 48 Hours on CBS.
Thank God 4 DVR’s. Lol

I'm surprised that Hooperman, which was John Ritter's next big TV show after Three's a Crowd wasn't even mentioned. Especially since it was an ABC show. After Three's a Crowd, the show discussed John's dramatic acting work in made for TV movies before getting to Problem Child.

Plus, why was Raven-Symone interviewed? Can anybody explain the connection other than John Ritter (along with his wife Amy Yasbeck) were once on The Cosby Show. And Amy Yasbeck herself, was on That's So Raven as Chelsea's mom.

I wonder why they couldn't get Joyce DeWitt for the special?

I'm surprised that Hooperman, which was John Ritter's next big TV show after Three's a Crowd wasn't even mentioned. Especially since it was an ABC show. After Three's a Crowd, the show discussed John's dramatic acting work in made for TV movies before getting to Problem Child.

Plus, why was Raven-Symone interviewed? Can anybody explain the connection other than John Ritter (along with his wife Amy Yasbeck) were once on The Cosby Show. And Amy Yasbeck herself, was on That's So Raven as Chelsea's mom.

I wonder why they couldn't get Joyce DeWitt for the special?

That puzzled me as well. I mean, they worked together for eight years on the biggest show of both their careers.

And Raven Symone? Yeah, that was baffling. Most of the people interviewed were family, friends, or co-workers, so I didn't understand why she was there.

I wonder if Joyce declined their request for an interview.

That puzzled me as well. I mean, they worked together for eight years on the biggest show of both their careers.

And Raven Symone? Yeah, that was baffling. Most of the people interviewed were family, friends, or co-workers, so I didn't understand why she was there.

I wonder if Joyce declined their request for an interview.

My natural instinct told me that Joyce once got wind that Suzanne Somers was going to be on that special, she decided that she wanted no part of it. And I can't help but laugh that Suzanne was being deadly serious that she felt that Three's Company should've ended up with Jack and Chrissy together. Many fans of the show, including myself, believed that it would've been more plausible for Jack to wind up with Janet, since Janet had more substance to her (and wasn't a ditsy bimbo like Chrissy) and they had more chemistry with each other. Plus, Jack (due in no small share to Suzanne's firing), knew Janet much longer than Chrissy.

My natural instinct told me that Joyce once got wind that Suzanne Somers was going to be on that special, she decided that she want no part of it. And I can't help but laugh that Suzanne was being deadly serious that she felt that Three's Company should've ended up with Jack and Chrissy together. Many fans of the show, including myself, believed that it would've been more plausible for Jack to wind up with Janet, since Janet had more substance to her (and wasn't a ditsy bimbo like Chrissy) and they had more chemistry with each other. Plus, Jack (due in no small share to Suzanne's firing), knew Janet much longer than Chrissy.

Yeah, I'm sure most TC fans wanted to see Jack & Janet ending up together.

The Ritter special was great.

It was agonizing to hear Jason say he thought John's hospital trip was going to be a wake up call & scare to show them how much they appreciated each other yet SHOCKINGLY that was the END!

My natural instinct told me that Joyce once got wind that Suzanne Somers was going to be on that special, she decided that she wanted no part of it. And I can't help but laugh that Suzanne was being deadly serious that she felt that Three's Company should've ended up with Jack and Chrissy together. Many fans of the show, including myself, believed that it would've been more plausible for Jack to wind up with Janet, since Janet had more substance to her (and wasn't a ditsy bimbo like Chrissy) and they had more chemistry with each other. Plus, Jack (due in no small share to Suzanne's firing), knew Janet much longer than Chrissy.

I could see Jack and Chrissy as a one night stand, max in one of those episode where they both agree they went too far, hug and are "just friends."

Yes, Jack and Janet would have made far more sense and besides, there was no way in hell the producers were ever going to bring Chrissy back for the spinoff. Hell, they never even acknowledged the character was gone: She did a few cameos from "out of town" and once season 6 began, was never never mentioned again.

And it's funny how Joyce and Suzanne had that "reconciliation" on a talk show a while back, I wonder if they were just making nice for the camera and trying to get some media attention since John had passed.

I could see Jack and Chrissy as a one night stand, max in one of those episode where they both agree they went too far, hug and are "just friends."

Yes, Jack and Janet would have made far more sense and besides, there was no way in hell the producers were ever going to bring Chrissy back for the spinoff. Hell, they never even acknowledged the character was gone: She did a few cameos from "out of town" and once season 6 began, was never never mentioned again.

And it's funny how Joyce and Suzanne had that "reconciliation" on a talk show a while back, I wonder if they were just making nice for the camera and trying to get some media attention since John had passed.

LOL..I wonder if Joyce got paid for that staged reunion? I bet they've not spoken since!

I could see Jack and Chrissy as a one night stand, max in one of those episode where they both agree they went too far, hug and are "just friends."

Yes, Jack and Janet would have made far more sense and besides, there was no way in hell the producers were ever going to bring Chrissy back for the spinoff. Hell, they never even acknowledged the character was gone: She did a few cameos from "out of town" and once season 6 began, was never never mentioned again.

And it's funny how Joyce and Suzanne had that "reconciliation" on a talk show a while back, I wonder if they were just making nice for the camera and trying to get some media attention since John had passed.

Heck, even Terri would've been a more believable or plausible option as a "legitimate" romantic interest for Jack before Chrissy.

LOL..I wonder if Joyce got paid for that staged reunion? I bet they've not spoken since!

I agree.

Joyce seemed like she was "on" that day. And what was really bad was that she and Suzanne dished the dirt on what a horndog John Ritter was, laughing about his affairs.

I wonder how his wives felt about that.

Yeah, unlike John, who planned to have Suzanne guest on 8 Simple Rules, I don't think that Joyce and Suzanne are friends.

There was a recent reunion of the surviving cast members and Suzanne was not included or even mentioned, as I recall.

I agree.

Joyce seemed like she was "on" that day. And what was really bad was that she and Suzanne dished the dirt on what a horndog John Ritter was, laughing about his affairs.

I wonder how his wives felt about that.

Yeah, unlike John, who planned to have Suzanne guest on 8 Simple Rules, I don't think that Joyce and Suzanne are friends.

There was a recent reunion of the surviving cast members and Suzanne was not included or even mentioned, as I recall.

Suzanne was going to guest on 8SR??

What about Joyce?

Heck, even Terri would've been a more believable or plausible option as a "legitimate" romantic interest for Jack before Chrissy.

Exactly!

Suzanne is completely DELUSIONAL!

Even John Ritter would've shot that stupid idea down.

Suzanne was going to guest on 8SR??

What about Joyce?

Have no idea.

Suzanne discussed appearing on 8 Simple Rules many years ago on an interview.

I guess Suzanne and John's wife Amy were doing a project (I think it was a play) together and Amy brokered a reunion between Suzanne and John.

Apparently, John showed up backstage and said to Suzanne, "Come home, Chrissy...all is forgiven."

So at least John and Suzanne reconciled in real life before he passed.

So I take it they never made the Henry Winkler episode of 8SR?

So I take it they never made the Henry Winkler episode of 8SR?

They never actually filmed the episode that Henry Winkler was supposed to be on. They only got as far as rehearsing when John was stricken. I don't know when they were scheduled to actually film the episodes for 8SRFDMTD. I would assume that they would've shot the actual episode the very next day.

They never actually filmed the episode that Henry Winkler was supposed to be on. They only got as far as rehearsing when John was stricken. I don't know when they were scheduled to actually film the episodes for 8SRFDMTD. I would assume that they would've shot the actual episode the very next day.

Ritter collapsed on set on a Thursday, so yes, they would have to have filmed the episode the next day.

They never actually filmed the episode that Henry Winkler was supposed to be on. They only got as far as rehearsing when John was stricken. I don't know when they were scheduled to actually film the episodes for 8SRFDMTD. I would assume that they would've shot the actual episode the very next day.

That would've been cool if someone took video of the rehearsal so we'd get an idea of what the episode was about.

But they don't normally do that. However, if they knew what was about to happen, I bet someone would've been filming that rehearsal!

They didn't have good cellphone video back then. If they did there could be 30 second to 1 minute clips of the rehearsal out there.

Have no idea.

Suzanne discussed appearing on 8 Simple Rules many years ago on an interview.

I guess Suzanne and John's wife Amy were doing a project (I think it was a play) together and Amy brokered a reunion between Suzanne and John.

Apparently, John showed up backstage and said to Suzanne, "Come home, Chrissy...all is forgiven."

So at least John and Suzanne reconciled in real life before he passed.

From what I recall and I could be wrong but Suzanne turned down doing 8 Simple Rules because she had commitments to taping appearances on QVC or Home Shopping Network. I forget which one she was connected to. Whatever it was she missed out on working with John for one last time which is a shame. I think it would have been the 8 Simple Rules Three's Company tribute episode too.

From what I recall and I could be wrong but Suzanne turned down doing 8 Simple Rules because she had commitments to taping appearances on QVC or Home Shopping Network. I forget which one she was connected to. Whatever it was she missed out on working with John for one last time which is a shame. I think it would have been the 8 Simple Rules Three's Company tribute episode too.

They already did an 8SR Three's Company tribute episode with Don Knotts.

And having a comedy legend like Don Knotts is INFINITELY better than a CRYBABY money whore like Suzanne!