I read today that ABC is thinking of continuing the sitcom "8 Simple Rules of Dating my Teenage Daugther" without John Ritter. Plans call to make the wife the star of the show and add an uncle. John Ritter was the star of the show. Just led it go, for once do the right thing and don't think about the money.

If they do this, the show will not even last a season. Didn't ABC learn from the mistake of continuing "Chico and the Man" and the show Red Fox was on when he died. When the star of the show dies, it's over.

As long as they honor him in the show, I think it will be okay. What I'm afraid is that they'll just replace the character of Paul Hennessey with another actor and not even acknowledge John. In that case I will not watch it.

Maybe it is not disrespect, but it is still a mistake, and it would a bad decession if they go through with it.

Remember Chico and the Man, remember that Red Fox show from 10 years ago which I don't remember the name could sometime tell me the name of that show, and to a lesser extent because it was an unsumble show News Radio. It is a mistake.

I'm glad that the show is continuing but I think that Katey Segal should be the star and no new characters should be added. At least not a new father figure.

Originally posted by tvje
Maybe it is not disrespect, but it is still a mistake, and it would a bad decession if they go through with it.

Remember Chico and the Man, remember that Red Fox show from 10 years ago which I don't remember the name could sometime tell me the name of that show, and to a lesser extent because it was an unsumble show News Radio. It is a mistake. It was called the Royal Family and I watched it. You may be right that its a bad idea. I couldn't watch that show after Redd Foxx died. Unfortunately it isn't in our hands and ABC is going to do what they are going to do no matter what. I just hope they don't tarnish John's memory in the process.

I think they should continue the show and I don't feel it would be disrespectful to Mr. Ritter at all. He was a warm and caring man, and I seriously doubt he would want all those people out on the street without an income.

Originally posted by tvje
Didn't ABC learn from the mistake of continuing "Chico and the Man"




That show sucked after Freddie Prinze passed away.

Well, first of all they're not THINKING about continuing it, they ARE continuing it

Well I don't think the show will last, it is no disrespect to John Ritter. I'm SURE it was a tough call for ABC, but you have to consider all the people that would be out of jobs if they cancelled it. They just have to be careful when they do start production again with how to handle it, and hopefully something will have a great idea

I think that the show will not last but I think it should have a fair shot (this contradicts what I said a few days ago, but the more I think about it, the more I agree with ABC continuing the show)

Originally posted by tvje
I read today that ABC is thinking of continuing the sitcom "8 Simple Rules of Dating my Teenage Daugther" without John Ritter. Plans call to make the wife the star of the show and add an uncle. John Ritter was the star of the show. Just led it go, for once do the right thing and don't think about the money.

If they do this, the show will not even last a season. Didn't ABC learn from the mistake of continuing "Chico and the Man" and the show Red Fox was on when he died. When the star of the show dies, it's over.


Chico and the Man was on NBC

There are other shows died by an actor. It was "Chico and the Man" by Freddy Prinze and "The Royal Family" with Redd Fox.

Actually, they are not disrespecting Mr. Ritter. As a matter of fact, they are doing quite the opposite, by respecting the wishes of Mr. Ritter's family. Actress Amy Yasbeck, and the wife (and mother of Mr. Ritter's youngest daughter) of John Ritter, was quoted as saying: "He believed in this show and its message that a strong family can get through anything... He felt so lucky to be working with such wonderful people every day. They all had such a warm friendship, and I know John would want his friends to be able to continue doing what they love." ABC and the producers of the show worked very hard in making this decision, and they consulted the cast and crew of the show, as well as the family of Mr. Ritter, and they collectively made the decision to continue the show.

Furthermore, the producers of the show have said that there are no plans on adding an uncle to replace the character of Paul Hennessy or to otherwise fill in a void left by John Ritter. They are, instead, going to focus the show on Katey Segal's character and the children, and their relationship after learning about the death of their husband and father. That does not, hwoever, mean that supporting characters will not be added; as, obviously, when someone dies, a lot of people have to cope, not just the immediate family.

I have to say that I think that the decision is the best decision, not just in terms of quality of the show and my belief that it could continue with Mr. Ritter, but in respecting the life and wishes of Mr. Ritter. He was a very loved man, and his family and friends (as all of his co-workers on "8 Simple Rules..." were) would not want to disrespect him. This was not a decision made by executives at ABC, but the inner-family that was the "8 Simple Rules..."

I don't think continuing the show is disrespectful. It's only disrespectful if they replace him and act like he never existed.

Yes, PPatters is right. John's wife did say she beleived that John would have wanted the show to go on without him. This is one of the reasons that ABC decided to continue with the show. The have his Wife's blessing.

Even hours ago, I thought ending this show was the only decision to be made.

But now after thinking, I think its best that it goes on.

But if they EVER forget John Ritter, its over.

They should include him in the themesong, and always make a reference to him in EVERY episode.

They should at least have a picture of him shown in the series.

I am thinking if John's name was in the title, would they continue the show without him? If it was called the John Ritter show, John, etc., would they continue it? Or would they just change the name and continue the show?

If Dick Van Dyke, Bill Cosby, Bob Newhart died during the runs of their tv shows would it continue without them?

I don't want to think about these types of trageties.

I guarantee the first three episodes ratings will be very high. Higher then if John was alive. Short term, the show will do well without him.

But I feel long term, it is not going to survive to next season.

They should at least have a picture of him shown in the series.

I was thinking the same thing. It would be nice to at least see a husband and wife picture feature in a prominate place to remember John.

I totally agree with you tvje, I don't know how well the show will survive in the furture withouth John.

Originally posted by ClassicTVHits
I totally agree with you tvje, I don't know how well the show will survive in the furture withouth John.

8 Simple Rules... with John Ritter was a hit; he's gone now, and that's sad, but who's to say that 8 Simple Rules... without him can't be great. I think it can still be good, and I think it absolutely could make it into the next season.

I never said it can't be great without him. I will be interested to see how the writers/producers decide to revamp the show. People could love it, or not ....

I disagree with the originator of the thread.

I don't consider it a lack of respect, continuing with the show.

I still think the show could survive. And if it doesn't, and least you gave it a shot.

Maybe over the fireplace (is there one?)
Or on the refridgerator door (they seem to open it a lot)

I don't think this is disrespectful either. I think Katey Sagal and the rest of the cast are strong enough to carry the show. "8 Simple Rules" will definitely be a different show. But it could still be a good show.

I think the show should end...JMO

Originally posted by *PinkLady*
I don't think continuing the show is disrespectful. It's only disrespectful if they replace him and act like he never existed.

Yes - what she said!

though not sitcoms, there are two more shows that continued when one of their stars died.

Bonanza continued for a number years after Dan Blocker ( HOSS ) died suddenly. Demographics pretty much killed that show I believe. Like Ritter, Blocker died young ( think he was in his 40s )
and was popular.

On the other hand you had Alias Smith & Jones. The show continued after the suicide of co-star Peter Duell. Didn't last long.
Duell's death I remember didn't really shock a lot of folks since a number of newspapers at the time reported his recent drunk driving arrests and other stories about him being so "unhappy".

I think 8 Rules will survive. My guess why Chico didn't was the nature at how Prinze died.

The Royal Family...when Red Foxx died, didn't CBS take the show off the air for a brief time? The could've been the reason why that show didn't last.

I think John loved his costars enough that he would not have wanted to see their show end with his death. Even though he was the undisputed star of the show, he seemed like such a 'team player" that he would want them to continue without him. Just like real families.

I watched the show particularly for John Ritter however and dont have any real desire to keep watching it. I am still very sad about his untimely death.

But I am glad that they will be honoring him and acknowledging what happened. Unlike what they did with Bea Benedaret on Petticoat Junction where they had her visiting somone out of town and then started not to even mention her. She had passed away in real life. It was a real disservice to the fans. Fans need to mourn too.

Hello all, first post wheee.....

Ok I don't think the great John Ritter is being disrespected here. True the show was Ritter and will not be the same w/o him. Im kinda anxious on what new title the show will be called. It's gonna be too weird if they continue w/ 8 Simple Rules as the title for the show. With Ritter gone the parental figure now is Katey Sagal who we all remember as Peggy Bundy from Fox's Married With Children which ran for a good 11 seasons. So let's not abandon ship yet on the direction of the show. I do agree that NO father figure should be introduced yet.

I would assume that they will keep the name 8 Simple Rules ...

now, you people are forgetting one of the "greatest" STAR DEPARTURES in tv history....

VALERIE HARPER BEING FIRED FROM THE SHOW "VALERIE" - !!!

Thankfully Valerie Harper didn't die in real life - but that show was created as a "vehicle" for her talents and even bore her name as the title.

But Valerie Harper was only a part of that show in it's first year ('86 - '87) with her character having died at the start of the 2nd season...and I think the show ran for about 5 more years (as "Valerie's Family" ) didn't it?

A tv show will be as good (or bad) as the producers, writers, actors and crew make it. I think that "8 Simple Rules" could still be entertaining and well written even without John Ritter - I also think that as an actor himself, Ritter wouldn't have wanted the show to end because he died...others have mentioned in this topic that John Ritter wouldn't have wanted his cast and crew mates out of work, and I think that's true. He probably wouldn't have wanted the show to continue if it was just going to suck, though - but if they still produce a quality tv show, I don't think it's disrespective to John Ritter in any way!

-and having the father of the family die could actually lead to some pretty dramatic storylines.

For those of you who think the show should end, how would you feel if your boss or co-worker died and you lost your job for this reason alone? Many people will be without a job and many of the stars of the series will get one or two opportunities in their career to have a hit show, so why should the series be cancelled?

This show puts food on the table and a roof over the heads of many families, and I can't believe anyone would want to deprive a family of a living simply because of what has happened. This is just television folks. There is no way John Ritter would have wanted the show cancelled. He was a team player and from what I have heard said about him lately, I am sure he would have wanted his tv family to go on and do what they do best...act and entertain all of us.

Originally posted by Christopher
That show sucked after Freddie Prinze passed away.


I don't think so. ;)

It's not gonna work, it'll flop, but at least they tried.