I know John Ritter was the star of the show, but I think he would have wanted it to continue. He wouldn't want it to be cancelled. So I have come up with some replacements for him.

Bill Cosby - The guy is halarious and him being black would make it that much funnier.

Chris Tucker - I loved him in Rush Hour, so why not go from stopping bad guys to being a family guy?

Howie Mandel - Boston Pizza to 8 Simple Rules, I see money in the bank!

Robert Townsend - The star of the Parent 'Hood was a great father back then and would be one now.

Bob Saget - Full House lasted 8 seasons, so this guy has a good track record, plus he would bring a whole new demision with tall jokes.

Add people you think would be good replacements.

William Shatner - The former Captain of Star Trek could make a cross over between Star Trek and 8 Simple Rules could become a "Smurfs lost in Time" show.

Jerry Seinfeld - King of the sitcom, I think he would be a great replacement.

Bea Arthur - I think he could be the grandfather to the show.

I think they should show the episode where he dies to explain what happened to him. In Mama's Family Aunt Fran died, but they continued on. On Cosby, the lady with the red hair died, but they didn't cancel the show, so I think that they should continue this show because John would have wanted it this way.

I think this is a horrible time to talk about this. I mean the man just died less than 24 hours ago. Plus, I'm sure the show will be cancelled. There's no way the cast would continue without John.

The only thing I heard today was that the cast had a meeting on the set. I don't think anythings been decided yet. I don't like any of your suggestions though.

No one should rpelace him. Although I liked the show, it should be cancelled. I watched it because I could see him nowadays, not on 3's Company repeats......and also cause of Kaley Cuoco...but John was the heart of the show.

Originally posted by Sean12
I think they should show the episode where he dies to explain what happened to him. In Mama's Family Aunt Fran died, but they continued on. On Cosby, the lady with the red hair died, but they didn't cancel the show, so I think that they should continue this show because John would have wanted it this way.

Yes, but neither of those characters were main ones. Using those two examples, continuing the show without John would be like having Mama's Family without Vicki or Cosby without Bill. It just wouldn't work.

Originally posted by HuntingtonM15
Yes, but neither of those characters were main ones. Using those two examples, continuing the show without John would be like having Mama's Family without Vicki or Cosby without Bill. It just wouldn't work.

Exactly. John was the backbone of 8SR and Vicki was the backbone of MF...It wouldn't be right if Vicki left MR for other reasons or died...If that had happened, MF would have definitely been cancelled because she is THE person to play Mama. Nobody can play Mama as well as she can.

IMO, 8SR should definitely be cancelled and put out on to DVD.

What about A Different World when Denise left the show? It ended up being better and lasted 5 more seasons! I know she didn't die, but still! They should show the final episodes made though. They could make this Married with Children by adding Al Bundy to the show to be reunited with Peggy...... I'll shut up, that's a stupid idea.

Tony Danza - Failed sitcom, but could use this to help his failing career. Add Mona to the mix and the gay kid Johnathon and boo ya!

Pewee Herman - Who wouldn't want this lovable guy as your parent?

Ben Savage - Hey, he's old enough to be a dad, plus he used to be on Boy Meets World

Tim Allen - Tool Time part 2! Add Wilson and Al and I think this show could be saved.

Will Smith - Would attract more ladies and maybe they could add Carlton and Uncle Phil too!

Omar Gooding - Played Moe on Smart Guy, but I think this guy is ready to settle down and be a father. Plus he's one funny guy!

The show definitely will NOT be back. This was John's show thru and thru. We have seen however how incredibly talented the rest of the cast is. Katey Sagal is a proven TV veteran and Kaley, Amy, and Martin will certainly have many many opportunites to entertain us for many years to come. May "8 Simple Rules" rest in peace with Mr. Ritter.

Originally posted by Sean12

Add people you think would be good replacements.




I know the perfect replacement for John Ritter.............. NO ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is John Ritter's show. No one can take his place, they should not continue this show. It is sad what some fans are doing. Thinking about who can take John's place. ABC should cancel this show.

Personally I think it would be insensitive to the family of John Ritter to take a show that was originally tailored for him and replace him. They should show the few episodes and call it. If many of us remember what Chico and the Man did to Freddie Prinze after he died. Prinze was the heart of the show and the show was not the same when they bought that kid on. Jack Albertson was happy with the situation. Petticoat Junction should had pulled the plug after Bea Benaderet passed away. Instead they bought in June Lockhart and it was irrelevant to the show. The only show I saw that replaced a lead character after their death was Eight is Enough when Diana Hyland passed away. Betty Buckley did an outstanding job as Tom's wife and did not try to replace Hyland but brought her own character to the show.

Nobody can replace John Ritter!
Jerry Seinfeld????
Yeah, right!

No one could replace John Ritter----NOONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1....2....Skip a few....99....100!

Relax.I think this guy is just kidding.I mean he even called Bea Arthur a grandFATHER.He was kidding.Anyway it's rumored that it might be either Henry Winkler or Tony Danza.I'm really hoping for Winkler.

Being a huge Golden Girls fan as well, Bea Arthur is a woman.......and an extremely talented woman at that. Your disrespect of her lacks the humour you were striving for. She has an incomparible talent that kicks like Kung Fu.
So, get a life and stop looking for someone that cannot be replaced. John Ritter was John Ritter....no-one else can fill the void.

I think this show should end. It obvious that it's John Ritter's own show. Having him not in the show wouldn't be the same and I know it won't flow that well without him.

Nobody

I think the show should continue because John would want it to, but he could never be directly replaced. Maybe the show should have Paul reluctantly take a writing job across country by order of his boss, and his family could have phone conversations with him in each episode. Then maybe another character could be introduced as Kate's brother, who comes around daily to help deal with the kids. Just a suggestion! Noone can replace John as the dad though, so don't even try!

Originally posted by HuntingtonM15
Yes, but neither of those characters were main ones. Using those two examples, continuing the show without John would be like having Mama's Family without Vicki or Cosby without Bill. It just wouldn't work.

Yes, and who can forget what a mess "Welcome Back Kotter" turned into after Gabe Kaplan left and they made Kotter's wife the vice-principal? That was absolutely PAINFUL to watch!

Originally posted by divinelady1
Being a huge Golden Girls fan as well, Bea Arthur is a woman.......and an extremely talented woman at that. Your disrespect of her lacks the humour you were striving for. She has an incomparible talent that kicks like Kung Fu.
So, get a life and stop looking for someone that cannot be replaced. John Ritter was John Ritter....no-one else can fill the void.

Hey don't blame me, I called Bea Arthur a man because of Family Guy. In one episode they had the story of Joe, the wheelchair guy, and Peter was played by Bea Arthur! lol Seriously, Tony Danza seems good to me. Maybe they could make him Uncle Tony or something, but they shouldn't let the show die, it's too soon!

Didn't watch family guy....lololol. BUt like I said, she is talented.

How about these people as possible replacements as the male lead for the new revamped show:
1) Billy Bob Thornton
2) Steven Seagal
3) Bob Newhart (could play a grandfather)
4) Don Knotts (a real nutty grandfather)
5) Dick Butkis
6) Pee Wee Herman
7) Bobcat Goldthwait
8) Garry Shandling
9) Leslie Nielson
10) Dennis Farina
11) Robert Downey Jr.
12) Tommy Lee
Just a short list for starters.

For a second I thought Don Knotts was dead, I mean he is really old now. It's sad how he outlived John Ritter.

I would hate to see them "TRY" to replace John Ritter, but I don't think that they are since they are going to have Paul die.

I think that however if they are going to add another character that Henry Winkler would be a great choice. I am not saying they should, but I think in all respect that since he was a great friend of John Ritter that he would have enough respect to stay within the limits of being only a supportive cast member and would never try to take over as the new lead. He just seemed to upset and very sincere about his friendship with Mr. Ritter that I don't think he would disrespect the show, the family or the other cast in a way that would disrespect John Ritter. I think he could/would bring a bit of John with him to the show. As for anyone else, maybe the guy who played Larry on 3's since he is also a friend and former cast mate of John Ritters, he would respect the fact that it is and will always be John's show in life and death

Originally posted by Sitcomwriter
Relax.I think this guy is just kidding.I mean he even called Bea Arthur a grandFATHER.He was kidding.Anyway it's rumored that it might be either Henry Winkler or Tony Danza.I'm really hoping for Winkler. ditto - although I'm not convinced about Bea Arthur...

John Ritter cannot be replaced. He may have wanted the show to go on but it would never be the same without him:(

Originally posted by Sean12
Bill Cosby - The guy is halarious and him being black would make it that much funnier.

Bob Saget - Full House lasted 8 seasons, so this guy has a good track record, plus he would bring a whole new demision with tall jokes.

I know this isn't going to happen, but I felt like posting a reply....

As much as I love Full House, The Cosby Show and all of their actors, I would never, ever have wanted John replaced. I love Bill and Bob to death, but having John replaced? He's one-of-a-kind and a legend. You can't replace anyone. It's like having people replace ourselves for our own families and friends. No fun. I'll tell you one thing, I would've been very angry and pissed had he been replaced for real.

Hi. I think that they made a great decision in deciding not to replace John Ritter, but letting the show continue on. PLaying Paul in "8 Simple Rules" was John's last role, and the show should be remembered as his. It's kind of like retiring an athlete's jersey number when they retire- as a sort of tribute to them. The role should be retired now that John has passed. The show should continue because John Ritter would want it to- he was a generous, fun-loving man, and he wouldn't want the world to miss out on such a fantastic show.