LOS ANGELES - ABC Television said Tuesday it will continue the sitcom that showcased the late John Ritter (news), showing his television family coping with the death of Ritter's character on "8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter."


ABC executives said the show will premier next Tuesday as planned and that the network will air the three episodes Ritter filmed before his death.


After that, the show will go into repeats while writers retool the sitcom and production starts. No date was given for when the show will return to the air.


Ritter died last Thursday of an undetected heart problem. He was 54.


"We are going to stick with it," Susan Lyne, president of ABC Entertainment, said in a conference call with reporters.


Each of the first three episodes already shot will start with a special introduction, featuring the cast members. The next new show will deal with the death of Ritter's character, Paul Hennessy.


"Future episodes will take viewers into the Hennessy household as they experience the loss of a father and construct a new life together," said Lloyd Braun, chairman of the ABC Entertainment Television Group. "We will play out the situation as real life."


Executives said they considered a number of options, including canceling the show, but decided to continue the series.


http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=514&e=9&u=/ap/20030916/ap_on_en_tv/ritter_show


Good idea or bad idea? post it....

It might be nice but it's still hard to believe he wont be on it! :(

It's so going to be weird...seeing his TV daughters trying to cope with the death of their father, while we try to cope with the loss of the amazing actor. It will be interesting to see how ABC can go about doing this. But more power to them, if they can keep the spirit of Paul Hennessy alive as much as we keep the spirit of John Ritter alive.

Wow...I'm sure the ratings will skyrocket the next few episodes. I wouldn't doubt that it'll be in the Top 5 by the end of the season...

Anyway, I think it's good that they're moving on with the show and showing them coping with the death, instead of simply cancelling what was a hit show...

Originally posted by bb25
Wow...I'm sure the ratings will skyrocket the next few episodes. I wouldn't doubt that it'll be in the Top 5 by the end of the season...

Anyway, I think it's good that they're moving on with the show and showing them coping with the death, instead of simply cancelling what was a hit show...

I think I'll get used to it..

I think it is going to be like those Comedies from the 1970s!!! when it was funny and serious! which is good :)

Plus.. John is the kinda of man that wants everyne to be happy.. and have jobs! He would want these Kids to have a nice job!

could you imagine if they cancelled it!! and these 3 kids had to look for work.. and on top of it DEAL with John's death alone!! :( that might kill their spirit :(

atleast they are all together.. and helping each other get through this..

John is happy.. and fun first! he would never want a show to cancel.. because he knew how hard it was to get a good tv show!! why put these kids through that pain on top of dealing with John's death!:(

:)

Hey maybe people will fight for the show.. and it will get great ratings.. to keep John's TV Home alive!

IF they do bring on a guy/uncle.. it must be Henry Winkler! Because the cast..john..his famliy.. and US the audience knows how much he loved John!

Anyway, I think it's good that they're moving on with the show and showing them coping with the death, instead of simply cancelling what was a hit show...

I too think it's good they are moving on with it. I also like the fact that they aren't going to try (right away anyway) and attempt to replace him with another actor. Sure bring in another male later. maybe a relative of "Paul's"... but don't replace actor and attemt to keep the character.

IF they do bring on a guy/uncle.. it must be Henry Winkler! Because the cast..john..his famliy.. and US the audience knows how much he loved John!

I've been thinking Henry Winkler would be really good in such a role. Not right away.. but eventually they'll have to bring on someone to bring the right ballance to the show.

It'll definitely be sad to see the first show they film dealing with John's/Paul's his death... but hopefully they find a way to fill that void by everyone stepping up to the plate (and some excellent writing as well).