Do you think that ABC is taking unfair advantage of the death of the star of "8 simple rules?" I think that it would be different if they aired his remaining shows commercial free, or if they donated the advertising dollars to the American Heart Association, but as far as I know ABC is going to take FULL advantage of all the profits from tonights show and the remaining ones that were shot before his death. Is this right?
I'm glad you brought this up. This morning, I heard a promo that said, "Tune in to see the final episodes of John Ritter." Even the way it was worded sounded bad. Maybe "Tune in to see John Ritter's final episodes" or something like that. But, "the final episodes of John Ritter" makes it sound like they are filming him in a hospital bed in the last days of his life. It would be ok if they want to do some kind of tribute to him since it was his show, but pimping the episodes that have nothing to do with his death? That's bad.
It seems that every radio station is running commercials for this several times an hour. I was listening to 610 between 5 and 8 and I must have heard that promotion at least 7 or 8 times. BTW, did yall know that Ritter's daughter's bday was on 9/11 (the day he died) and his wife's bday was the very next day (9/12)???
ABC's been running the promo HARD all week. I'd much rather see a tribute to his life and his work rather than what they are doing. They are advertising it as the 'season premiere'. Sounds kind of morbid to me. But I'm sure ABC will make a killing ratings wise and that's what's important....
Shouldnt we see the show first and see how they handle it. I think a tribute to him would be awesome!
A major American Television network, trying to make money at any cost with no regards to what is what is decent or respectful? No way!!
I know it's tasteless (and I agree with all of you on that) but remember, the network exists solely to make money for its stockholders. And this is a good opportunity. I just don't think it is an ethical one, but it's not my call.
Considering some of the crap that is shown on TV, this is like Sesame Street in terms of tastelessness...
I liked it a lot better when every business didn't exist solely to make money for its stockholders. That said, I thought the special episode they had on last week was well done. It was good to hear the nice things that so many of the other actors and actresses had to say about him.
I think maybe they are promoting it wrong, but I think it would be a disservice to John Ritter if they did not show the episodes. He made the shows with the intent to make people laugh and enjoy themselves. I'm sure he would want people to watch the shows.
Ethical or otherwise why is it incumbant for the company to do it commercial free? Ritter dying was horrible but ABC is being smart. They are not the only ones benfitting.
Ummm, not to derail this thread but when exactly was this magical period that business didn't exist for the above purpose?
I don't think anyone can argue ABC is making a bad business move. People are just questioning the ethics of hyping the show based on Ritter's death. I could care less what ABC does with revenue earned tonight. Tonight's episode will draw in viewers who don't usually watch 8 Simple Rules. In the end, isn't that what ABC is after.
A few days after he died I believe ABC ran a special 1 hour special on Ritter. (atleast I think it was ABC) ... It was a good watch they interviewed his TV family and some of his closest friends and talked about the 3 company days.
