ABC disrespects John Ritter - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

tvje · 09-16-2003, 03:55 PM

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.

Mr. Television · 09-16-2003, 04:25 PM

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.

tvje · 09-16-2003, 04:31 PM

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.

Central Perk · 09-16-2003, 04:43 PM

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.

Mr. Television · 09-16-2003, 04:44 PM

Quote:

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.

twinkle44301 · 09-16-2003, 05:47 PM

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.

Christopher · 09-16-2003, 06:06 PM

Quote:

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.

benjamoon · 09-16-2003, 07:13 PM

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)

TVFactFan · 09-16-2003, 07:50 PM

Quote:

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

musicradio77 · 09-16-2003, 09:19 PM

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

PPatters · 09-16-2003, 09:35 PM

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..."

*PinkLady* · 09-16-2003, 09:35 PM

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

Will and Grace Fanatic · 09-16-2003, 09:47 PM

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.

barwars · 09-16-2003, 10:44 PM

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.

Mr. Television · 09-16-2003, 11:14 PM

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

09-16-2003, 03:55 PM	#1
tvje Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 26, 2002 Posts: 1,402	ABC disrespects John Ritter 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.
	__________________ tvje

09-16-2003, 04:25 PM	#2
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	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.
	__________________ Sonny

09-16-2003, 07:13 PM	#8
benjamoon Bewitched Senior Member Join Date: Jun 15, 2000 Location: New York Posts: 1,450	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)
	__________________ My Blog: http://benjamonsterstv.blogspot.com/ My Site: peaktvdatabase.weebly.com My favorite TV shows: Bewitched, I Love Lucy, American Dreams, Mary Tyler Moore, The Office, Happy Days, The West Wing, Modern Family, Friday Night Lights, Friends, Mad Men, Parks and Recreation, and Parenthood

09-16-2003, 09:19 PM	#10
musicradio77 Disney Expert Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 14, 2003 Location: Brooklyn, NY USA Posts: 6,475	There are other shows died by an actor. It was "Chico and the Man" by Freddy Prinze and "The Royal Family" with Redd Fox.
	__________________ Musicradio77 Productions

09-16-2003, 09:47 PM	#13
Will and Grace Fanatic be happy Senior Member Join Date: Feb 15, 2002 Location: seattle, washington Posts: 2,746	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.
	__________________ love is love

09-16-2003, 04:31 PM	#3
tvje Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 26, 2002 Posts: 1,402	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.

09-16-2003, 04:43 PM	#4
Central Perk ~~~~~ Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 10, 2002 Posts: 4,553	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.

09-16-2003, 05:47 PM	#6
twinkle44301 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 24, 2001 Posts: 351	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.

09-16-2003, 09:35 PM	#11
PPatters Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 27, 2001 Location: Rockford, MI, USA Posts: 404	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..."

09-16-2003, 09:35 PM	#12
PinkLady Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jun 04, 2002 Posts: 7,457	I don't think continuing the show is disrespectful. It's only disrespectful if they replace him and act like he never existed.

09-16-2003, 10:44 PM	#14
barwars .. Forum Star Join Date: May 04, 2002 Posts: 13,273	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.

09-16-2003, 11:14 PM	#15
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	They should at least have a picture of him shown in the series.