Man, I heard this this morning and it blew me away. I still watch Three's Company when it's on TV Land or Nick @ Nite. It's a series I'll never get tired of watching. During the 80's I was happy to watch an episode of the Cosby Show where he was the husband of a pregnant woman (Amy Yasbeck). The show was hilarious and both he and Yasbeck stole that episode. It was cool to find out that Yasbeck and Ritter got married later on. I didn't watch his new show, but man, he had the gift for comedy, so I'm sure it was good as well. It's amazing how old the people off that show are now. Remember Lana? She's pushing 70. But then she looked kinda old back then, too.
Yeah it surprised the heck outta me. I was up at about 4:00am getting a drink of water from the kitchen when I heard it first on the news. I almost dropped the glass. I dont know why but it put me in mind of that scene at the end of La Bamba when they heard it on the radio.
I didn't think Kimmel could cry but he teared up when talking about Ritter last night. He took a quick commercial break (I don't know if it was planned). He was like "I knew this would happen. Watch Howard Stern replay this a thousand times".
I heard 8 simple rules will continue to go on and they will plot in his death in a future episode. Its going to be a completely differnt show but I hope it works
Just watching his on-screen family talk about him made me cry. Check this out about how the tv show will continue: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=597&ncid=772&e=1&u=/nm/20030916/tv_nm/leisure_abc_dc
Good to hear ABC is not recasting the role of the Dad. I don't see the show lasting much longer though. 8 Simple Rules is a comedy. The show will become serious for a couple of episodes, but what about afterwards? How can the show return to comedy after the death of a major character?
I can think of one that has: Newsradio (Hartman). How often has it happened though (that is, a major sitcom having its star die during its run)?? BTW, call me crazy, but I thought Ritter favored Brad Pitt alot when he was young.
I would think at some point they would have to bring another surrogate Dad in after the grieving process. Otherwise, I guess it's just a fatherless family show and I don't think it could survive. What would be nice is if someone did the role in tribute to John. I don't think John would want the show to stop on account of him. He would want them to do what is necessary to keep the show going. Why? Because we all know that's the type of person John was... Otherwise, I think you just try to finish the show's season and stop. What will be strange is the set. John will always be there. Nobody wants to give that up yet. P.S. What if Henry Winkler came in to the part in tribute? I think that would be awesome in many ways and I think he could do it the best.
I think it's a good idea to play out the rest of the season with the family having to deal with the real life situation of the loss of a Father. I just hope they keep it realistic, I don't think anyone realized how much they would miss John Ritter, he was a guy we took for granted I think. I sure miss him now.
I don't think I've ever been as effected by a celebrity's passing as I have with the death of John Ritter. Truly a class act. Like a lot of you, I grew up watching Three's Company (although in syndication, I was only one when its last episode aired) and Jack Tripper has got to be one of the all-time great characters on the small-screen. We will miss you, John. Azim da Dream
I didn't watch Newsradio so I don't know how Hartman's death affected the show. I did watch a couple of episodes of 8 Simple Rules. IMHO the little squabbles between kids and kids and parent(s) that were hilarious last season will not be funny anymore. For one thing, the show will be chartering new territory.
I think this might be true for me too. I was a little bummed when Farley died, but kind of expected it. I find myself getting really sad when I think about what has happened here - Jack Tripper is gone.
