8SR could go on without Ritter - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

DVDFreaker · 09-13-2003, 07:26 PM

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/goss...p-105693c.html

The show could go on without John Ritter.

ABC-TV and parent company Walt Disney were considering plans yesterday to keep "8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter" going with a new star, according to sources familiar with the discussions.

An ABC spokesman declined to comment on what the show's future might be.

But word around Hollywood was that if the show does keep going, there will be an episode dealing with the death of Ritter's character, a stay-at-home sportswriter named Paul Hennessy who struggles to raise his two teenage daughters and younger son.

The sources said Ritter could be replaced by a new male character - possibly an uncle - brought in to help care for the Hennessy children.

Henry Winkler, Tony Danza, Howie Mandel and Richard Kline, who played Ritter's pal on the '70s sitcom "Three's Company," were among the actors being mentioned for the role.

Three new episodes of "8 Simple Rules" with Ritter have been shot. The second season premiere is scheduled for Sept. 23.

But replacing him will be tricky, because "8 Simple Rules" was built around his well-known TV persona.

"I don't think the show can succeed without him," said Steve Sternberg, an analyst for ad-buying firm Magna Global USA. "He was the draw for the show."

Michael Eisner, chairman of ABC parent Walt Disney Co., will pay tribute to Ritter at the start of the "8 Simple Rules" episodes when they are broadcast.

Originally published on September 12, 2003

Thoughts on this?

TV Guy · 09-13-2003, 07:46 PM

I think it would be the classy thing to do to simply end the series, since whatever revamp they come up with will most likely fail. That said, TV is a business, and shutting down the show would put many people out of work. In addition, Disney has sunk a lot of money into the show for over a year, and scripted primetime series generally lose money until they hit syndication for reruns. For financial reasons, I'm sure they will try to keep the show going by bringing in a new male lead and hoping that the show goes on long enough to sell into syndication.

Mr. Television · 09-13-2003, 08:21 PM

Without 8 Simple Rules the whole ABC Tuesday night lineup could collapse..Because of that ABC will probably try to keep the show no matter if its classy or not.

marvin g · 09-13-2003, 10:08 PM

The uncle/aunt premise worked for Valerie/Valerie's Family/The Hogan Family for awhile. A replacement father could work if they got the right person, unfortunately Ed O'Neil is on Dragnet.

Josh9125 · 09-13-2003, 10:24 PM

I think John would have liked it to keep going. He seemed so proud of it.

David · 09-13-2003, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by marvin g
The uncle/aunt premise worked for Valerie/Valerie's Family/The Hogan Family for awhile. A replacement father could work if they got the right person, unfortunately Ed O'Neil is on Dragnet.

i think Henry Winkler or Richard Kline are the 2 best replacements, if any are needed.

David · 09-13-2003, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mr roper
Without 8 Simple Rules the whole ABC Tuesday night lineup could collapse..Because of that ABC will probably try to keep the show no matter if its classy or not.

very true. 8SR was a big smash for ABC, which hasnt been doing all that well for the past couple of years.

David · 09-13-2003, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Josh9125
I think John would have liked it to keep going. He seemed so proud of it.

he seemed very proud of it. Im 101% sure he would of liked it to keep going.

dr frasier crane · 09-13-2003, 10:59 PM

I'm sure John would want it to keep going. I'm not so sure on the idea of replacing him, but if they do the uncle thing, I think they should go with Henry Winkler.

Josh9125 · 09-13-2003, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dr frasier crane
I'm sure John would want it to keep going. I'm not so sure on the idea of replacing him, but if they do the uncle thing, I think they should go with Henry Winkler.

Yeah...I mean personally I don't think I could stand watching it without him for too long but if I had to pick a replacement it would be Henry Winkler.

LucyFan · 09-14-2003, 12:52 AM

Personally, I think the show should just end. As great as the show is, I don't think it will do well without him. He was like the HEART of the show and without the heart . . . it's dead pretty much.

If they decide to keep the show going I think a good replacement would be Henry Wrinkler. He's an awsome actor with a big name like John Ritter because of his fame of Happy Days. I think the show needs someone who's famous in order to fill some of the void of John Ritter. Henry Wrinkler might be the key . . .

aterzino · 09-14-2003, 10:44 AM

i agree ^

Austin Tripper · 09-14-2003, 11:50 PM

Henry Winkler.. then Richard Kline..

The other 2 choices would be a JOKE!

I was wondering if the are going to show ALL the episodes in order!

BY the way.. if they do this "idea" .. The show will be cancelled in a year..

just show all the episodes..

the end

09-13-2003, 07:26 PM	#1
DVDFreaker Member Forum Regular Join Date: Aug 23, 2002 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 699	8SR could go on without Ritter http://www.nydailynews.com/news/goss...p-105693c.html The show could go on without John Ritter. ABC-TV and parent company Walt Disney were considering plans yesterday to keep "8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter" going with a new star, according to sources familiar with the discussions. An ABC spokesman declined to comment on what the show's future might be. But word around Hollywood was that if the show does keep going, there will be an episode dealing with the death of Ritter's character, a stay-at-home sportswriter named Paul Hennessy who struggles to raise his two teenage daughters and younger son. The sources said Ritter could be replaced by a new male character - possibly an uncle - brought in to help care for the Hennessy children. Henry Winkler, Tony Danza, Howie Mandel and Richard Kline, who played Ritter's pal on the '70s sitcom "Three's Company," were among the actors being mentioned for the role. Three new episodes of "8 Simple Rules" with Ritter have been shot. The second season premiere is scheduled for Sept. 23. But replacing him will be tricky, because "8 Simple Rules" was built around his well-known TV persona. "I don't think the show can succeed without him," said Steve Sternberg, an analyst for ad-buying firm Magna Global USA. "He was the draw for the show." Michael Eisner, chairman of ABC parent Walt Disney Co., will pay tribute to Ritter at the start of the "8 Simple Rules" episodes when they are broadcast. Originally published on September 12, 2003 Thoughts on this?

09-13-2003, 08:21 PM	#3
Mr. Television 22 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,127	Without 8 Simple Rules the whole ABC Tuesday night lineup could collapse..Because of that ABC will probably try to keep the show no matter if its classy or not.
	__________________ Sonny

09-13-2003, 10:59 PM	#9
dr frasier crane Imagine Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 26, 2003 Location: Illinois Posts: 489	I'm sure John would want it to keep going. I'm not so sure on the idea of replacing him, but if they do the uncle thing, I think they should go with Henry Winkler.
	__________________ "I used to exercise, but the ice kept falling out of my glass." - David Lee Roth

09-13-2003, 07:46 PM	#2
TV Guy Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 25, 2001 Location: Boston, MA, USA Posts: 3,419	I think it would be the classy thing to do to simply end the series, since whatever revamp they come up with will most likely fail. That said, TV is a business, and shutting down the show would put many people out of work. In addition, Disney has sunk a lot of money into the show for over a year, and scripted primetime series generally lose money until they hit syndication for reruns. For financial reasons, I'm sure they will try to keep the show going by bringing in a new male lead and hoping that the show goes on long enough to sell into syndication.

09-13-2003, 10:08 PM	#4
marvin g Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 30, 2003 Location: Chicago,IL Posts: 1,217	The uncle/aunt premise worked for Valerie/Valerie's Family/The Hogan Family for awhile. A replacement father could work if they got the right person, unfortunately Ed O'Neil is on Dragnet.

09-13-2003, 10:24 PM	#5
Josh9125 Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 19, 2001 Location: Sunset Beach, NC Posts: 2,912	I think John would have liked it to keep going. He seemed so proud of it.

09-14-2003, 12:52 AM	#11
LucyFan Still Loving Lucy! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 23, 2001 Location: In the Wonderful World of Lucy! Posts: 8,198	Personally, I think the show should just end. As great as the show is, I don't think it will do well without him. He was like the HEART of the show and without the heart . . . it's dead pretty much. If they decide to keep the show going I think a good replacement would be Henry Wrinkler. He's an awsome actor with a big name like John Ritter because of his fame of Happy Days. I think the show needs someone who's famous in order to fill some of the void of John Ritter. Henry Wrinkler might be the key . . .

09-14-2003, 10:44 AM	#12
aterzino Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Aug 21, 2003 Posts: 52	i agree ^

09-14-2003, 11:50 PM	#13
Austin Tripper Jack Tripper is GOD! Forum Regular Join Date: Jul 17, 2001 Location: United States Posts: 614	Henry Winkler.. then Richard Kline.. The other 2 choices would be a JOKE! I was wondering if the are going to show ALL the episodes in order! BY the way.. if they do this "idea" .. The show will be cancelled in a year.. just show all the episodes.. the end