Well, I don't know where to start.

First let me start by saying my deepest apologies to Ritter's family, friends, fans, and cast members.

The most disappointing event for me in TV history as I know it, is Ritter's death and the (possible) cancellation of the show. I am sorry to open a whole other topic for my post, but please reply with your comments to this.

I understand there will be a tribue to John on Tuesday in place of 8SR and I'm hoping the whole cast will be interviewed on it.

As for the show itself, there is no possible replacement for John, as Henry Winkler said himself. To focus around Kate could have positive or negative effects, right now that is hard to decide. She has her own career and could survive on her own as a TV mom. However if that is not the case, something still has to be done. To suddenly drop the show, would bring up the question, what ever happened to the Hennessy Family?

I think the best final episode if there is to be one, should be set in the future, maybe 3 years in the future. As a tribute episode, show the Hennessy family doing well. All three kids have grown, and maybe even a fourth (remember the finale of season 1). Have the fact implyed that 3 years ago their father died peacefully or something like that. And throughout the show, show flashbacks of him from past episodes.

When I first heard the news on Friday morning, I was instantly shocked. My first thought was of my favorite show, myself having every episode on tape (except for the two part season finale I was planning to tape this Tuesday), and looking forward to a whole other season. Polls on this message board were conducted, I remember, asking how long people thought this show would last or who would be the first to leave. NO ONE ever predicted this would ever happen.

I am really hoping something is done with the show and that it is not just cancelled. I am personally very upset and even depressed about this. It feels like we've all lost a friend who we felt we knew so well.

R.I.P. John Ritter, a great comedian

yeah, I agree with you, its a sad loss. I hope they find a way to go on with the show and not cancel it because it was a good show and john ritter was proud of it, but in the end, i think it should be let up to his wife amy yasback and his family if they want the show to continue on without him or cancel.

I dunno what gonna happen to this show. Both possibilities (cancelling the show or finding a replacement for Ritter) don't seem right. It would be wrong to cancel the show right now because we don't know if the pregnancy test will end up positive, and THE SITCOM IS SO YOUNG!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But if they keep the sitcom going, they need to find a replacement for Ritter, and we all know that no one can take his place as the loveable, but sometimes (heck, most of the time) overprotective Paul Hennessy. We all loved you, John. You will be dearly missed.

Originally posted by LizzieLover
THE SITCOM IS SO YOUNG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I know!:( this is so bad. my 2 favorite shows got cacelled this year:crying:

I really hope it turns out that Cate is not pregnant. It would just be too sad for the show to go on with Cate pregnant with Paul's baby. Unfortunately that episode is probably already filmed.:(

The show should go on.

Originally posted by *GoodMorningCalgary*
I know!:( this is so bad. my 2 favorite shows got cacelled this year:crying: what 2 shows?

I do enjoy 8 Simple Rules and watch when I do get the chance and I hope that they don't cancel the show. I think it may be able to be successful as Cate the single mom. ABC should give it a chance as Cate being the single mother. For this season they should have her raising the kids as a single mother. But if the ratings decline ABC should let it finish the season and then have a series finale in May.

I think Henry Winkler should come on as the Uncle, but not have him move into their house. He would be a recurring character, you know just pop in and out to make sure everything's okay.

I keep thinking about Paul Hennessey. This was a man who loved his wife and kids. He seemed like a great dad (as long as you were "The Boy"). It's hard for me to think about that family losing their father. But there's no other way to explain his absense. It would just be wrong to make the character walk out on his family. And I know that none of the show's fans would go for that idea.

Also, I'm sure that the show will either come to DVD or ABC Family in reruns, or both.

I got out my tape the other day of when I taped the first episode. It was rerun on ABC Family, and they had interviews with the cast of 8SR, and the three kids were saying how great John Ritter is, and he always keeps them laughing. It was really sad to see them in tonight's interview crying. I know the episode where the family deals with his death is going to really be sad. And although the "NewsRadio" episode where they remembered Phil Hartman's character was sad, this will be sadder, because it's about a wife losing her husband, and kids losing their father.

Originally posted by mr roper
I really hope it turns out that Cate is not pregnant. It would just be too sad for the show to go on with Cate pregnant with Paul's baby. Unfortunately that episode is probably already filmed.:(

I know. It will be really sad if she is pregnant.

I don't think we have to worry about Cate being pregnant. The write-up in this week's TV Guide says they're going to deal with the pregnancy very quickly. So she probably isn't pregnant. Matt Roush wrote that this show is the closest thing to a classic that ABC has. Let's hope it stays that way.

Originally posted by Freakzilla
I don't think we have to worry about Cate being pregnant. The write-up in this week's TV Guide says they're going to deal with the pregnancy very quickly. So she probably isn't pregnant. Matt Roush wrote that this show is the closest thing to a classic that ABC has. Let's hope it stays that way. yeah, this show was going to be a classic. It might've been the show of the 2000s. And it still might be, but without John Ritter... thats still a "might"

Maybe John's real life good friend Billy Bob Thornton should come aboard. He could play Paul's estranged brother or something.