First of all, I was deeply shocked and sad for him and his family, that John Ritter passed away last Thursday.

I was also shocked to find out that it doesn't look like they will air Ritter's last episodes, or possibly deal with his passing in an episode.

I ran a search on both tvguide and zap2it.com and it seems as though the show is wiped out for good. Tomorrow, 9/16/03
ABC will air a tribute to John Ritter with host Diane Sawyer.

How John's death is similar to other classic comedy stars.

John Ritter died on the set of his last series "8 Simple Rules".
Redd Foxx died on the set of his last series "The Royal Family".

John Ritter died of a ruptured aorta.
Lucille Ball (who was on his show Three's Company, and who appeared in an episode of Lucille Ball's 1986 series "Life With Lucy") died of a ruptured aorta.

Katy Segal's curse:
Katy Segal may now more than ever be forever typecast as Peggy Bundy from "Married With Children".

In 1985, Katy Segall was a cast member of another famous television icon's (Mary Tyler Moore) show "Mary". The show only lasted one season.

Katy was on Married With Children from 1986-1997. Her biggest success.

In 2002, she shyed away from the Peg Bundy image to be the mother on "8 Simple Rules". Unfortunately now, this tragedy has brought her back to 1986.

Back to John Ritter: Does anyone remember the sequel series "Three's A Crowd" where he lived with Vicki Bradford? I only have one episode, and I liked it.

I'm taping it tomorrow night as well as the GSN tribute also airs tomorrow morning.

I think they should air the last seasons. Whether they cancel it or not, at least air them. Im sure John would want it that way.

It would be a nice tribute to him and the fans if they aired the last episodes. As MsConanObrien said, John would have wanted it that way.

So 8 Simple Rules is cancelled? Awww... I wish they'd just find a replacement!

I think it was Access Hollywood but one of those Entertainment shows said that they might be looking for a replacement for John, they are considering Henry Winkler, and a couple others, I can't remember who though.

Originally posted by Topanga
I think it was Access Hollywood but one of those Entertainment shows said that they might be looking for a replacement for John, they are considering Henry Winkler, and a couple others, I can't remember who though.

Well, Barbara Walters DID interview John in 1980 and he DID say he wanted the show to go on even after he passed on...One should honor his wishes...Still, tho, it sucks. :crying:

nothing has been announced concerning the show yet.

I think they should air the last episodes that were made. Just because John's gone there's no reason not to air these-he worked hard in his last precious days to make the show, the ;east they can do is air them. Is not like airing them will mean that they still can't replace John a few episodes into the series. Apparently he was due to appear on The Ellen DeGeneres show on the 23rd, no one's sure what will happen instead. It's sad that it won't happen: John, along with ellen degeneres: both great comedians.

I'm really going to miss that show, even if they do replace him...because if they do it just won't be the same. :(

They just said on the John Ritter tribute on ABC that the next three weeks ABC will air the final works of John Ritter, then after that a one hour episode where on 8 Simple Rules they deal with the death of their beloved father, so I guess the show will continue on, which everyone says John would have wanted.

Originally posted by Topanga
They just said on the John Ritter tribute on ABC that the next three weeks ABC will air the final works of John Ritter, then after that a one hour episode where on 8 Simple Rules they deal with the death of their beloved father, so I guess the show will continue on, which everyone says John would have wanted.

Yeah. :( It's going to be so weird watching it without him, but I'm definately going to.

Originally posted by *A TV People*
Yeah. :( It's going to be so weird watching it without him, but I'm definately going to.

I know they can bring in new character(s) but it won't be the same, John was the heart and soul of 8 Simple Rules. I don't think I can bear to watch the One Hour Special cause I know I will bawl through the whole thing.

Sadly, this isn't the first time something like this has happened. When Jean Harlow died at the age of 26 the studio was going to tear up her last film, but the fans cried so much that they finished it with a stand-in who was shot from the back.

When the original Mr. Wilson died on "Dennis the Menace" they replaced him - but gave the character a new first name.

When Dick York couldn't finish "Bewitched" they simply put in a new actor.

I know it's a very hard thing to do, but I think John would want them to carry on.

Originally posted by Topanga
They just said on the John Ritter tribute on ABC that the next three weeks ABC will air the final works of John Ritter, then after that a one hour episode where on 8 Simple Rules they deal with the death of their beloved father, so I guess the show will continue on, which everyone says John would have wanted.

The only problem with that, is that the series will go downhill from there. This just might be their last season. I mean when Redd Foxx died, the show "The Royal Family" was brought back for another season, only with Jackee (from 227) being the replacement.

Also, who's to say that the producers won't keep bringing up the death of the dad to "drum up the ratings"?