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The W - Random - John Ritter dead at 54 (Page 2)
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uberlou
Merguez








Since: 26.3.03
From: Glendale, Cali

Since last post: 5061 days
Last activity: 4832 days
#21 Posted on
When I first saw this on another board, I thought it was some joke. Or at least I was hoping it was. Ritter was such a cool guy. Oddly enough, I was out last night and when I got home I turned on the tv and saw Three's Company on Nick@Nite. I ended up watching the whole episode and again realizing how great Ritter was on that show.

I see no one mentioned the Problem Child movies, maybe they weren't the greatest films in the world, but I thought those movies were great as a kid and still watch it whenever it's on USA or whatever cable channel.

I think i'll have to watch the Buffy episode "Ted" later today so I can enjoy one of my favorite Ritter appearances.





I *heart* Flower.
Eradicator
Kolbasz








Since: 4.1.02
From: Chicago

Since last post: 3285 days
Last activity: 2536 days
#22 Posted on
Why oh why is there not a DVD boxed set of Three's Compnay yet? That has been my number one most wanted show on DVD for some time. Now more than ever I wish I had some episodes on disc that I could go home and watch after work.

(edited by Eradicator on 12.9.03 1311)


"The Universe is shaped exactly like the Earth- if you go straight long enough you end up where you were."
dwaters
Bierwurst








Since: 16.10.02
From: Connecticut

Since last post: 1399 days
Last activity: 1379 days
#23 Posted on
This news just kind of felt like a gut punch.
It seems he was always on TV on some show or another.
Someone on another board brought up that he was currently the voice of Clifford the Big Red Dog on the PBS series.
I recently saw a tape of "It" by Stephen King and John was in it. He left behind a huge body of work to remember him by.

P.S. Not to sound trivial, but did they ever list the "8 Simple Rules" on the show? Maybe the pilot?
canucklover
Pickled pork








Since: 16.7.02
From: Vancouver, BC

Since last post: 6901 days
Last activity: 6519 days
#24 Posted on
A sad day indeed. I've always laughed at Three's Company, mostly for his physical comedy rather than for the plots or other actors, and the glowing condom scene in Skin Deep has to be one of the funniest scenes in all of moviedom.

An underappreciated talent, John Ritter.



"...Don't the sun look angry through the trees? Don't the trees look like crucified thieves?"
--Warren Zevon, Desperadoes Under the Eaves
Mild Mannered Madman
Toulouse








Since: 1.3.02
From: Westminster, CA

Since last post: 3913 days
Last activity: 159 days
#25 Posted on
If Ritter had been born 50 years earlier, he quite possibly would've been mentioned in the same breath as Chaplin & Keaton. He was that gifted as a physical comedian.

During an early part of my own acting career/hobby/whatever, I became known for doing pratfalls, and teaching others how to do it properly. Ritter was one of those I looked up to most in that regard.




There is a theory which states that if ever anyone discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable. There is another theory which states that this has already happened.
- The Restaurant at the End of the Universe
PeterStork
Sujuk








Since: 25.1.02
From: Chicagoland with Hoosiers, or "The Region"

Since last post: 3290 days
Last activity: 3053 days
#26 Posted on
Good lord, I hated 8 Simple Rules with a passion, but this isn't the way I wanted it off the air. Ritter was GOD, and if nothing else I was happy that his career was going strong again. Nice way to piss me off, world.

    Originally posted by CRZ
    I wonder if this will affect the release of Bad Santa - also I wonder how many episodes of "8 Simple Rules" are in the can. I wonder about trivial things like these... because they are easier to think about than death.


There better not be a delay in Bad Santa, for Lauren Graham-related reasons if nothing else. [/selfishness]

Six eps of 8 Simple Rules were in the can. (courtesy TV Tattle.)

(edited by PeterStork on 12.9.03 1531)


exit 670 dot com

Fuck the Emmys.

HrdCoreJoe
Potato korv








Since: 29.4.02
From: Jax, FL

Since last post: 4502 days
Last activity: 4501 days
#27 Posted on
I'll be watching my copy of Stay Tuned on dvd tonight in his honor.
I can't even get myself to watch network tv anymore, but I still tried to catch 8 Simple Rules whenever I could because of John Ritter. This is a sad day indeed.



Andy Richter does indeed control the universe.
DMC
Liverwurst








Since: 8.1.02
From: Modesto, CA

Since last post: 6919 days
Last activity: 6913 days
#28 Posted on
Again, like other children of the 80s I grew up on Three's Company and loved Ritter. It was easy to make fun of the show by the 90s (with the cheesy "porno music guitar" theme) but now that I'm seeing the re-runs more often I'm finding myself watching them all the way through and enjoying them. They were all so campy and so driven by silly "misunderstandings" that they are great little pieces of Americana to wind down to after a long day at work. Just the other night I watched the episode with Jeffery Tambor(sp?) who played a psychiatrist that Jack and Janet thought was crazy. Classic episode.

While some social conservatives hated the show for a variety of reasons, I always thought it was more innocent. And yes, this is yet another reminder to make the most of life now. (Romans 8:1)

May God bless him family.

DMC

DrewDewce
Bratwurst








Since: 2.1.02
From: The Derby City

Since last post: 1668 days
Last activity: 742 days
#29 Posted on | Instant Rating: 6.75
Being the (superhero) comics fan that I am, I would be remiss if I didn't mention the great "Hero at Large" movie Mr. Ritter did back in the late 80's that really needs to be shown on one of the bazillion digital cable channels I have.

My wife and I enjoyed "8 Simple Rules . . ." quite a bit, and will selfishly miss seeing it (I always told people that if it had a nice memorable 6-7 year run, that the "vacation" episode from the first season would have been their "Contest" [Seinfeld] as far as memorable episodes went).

Speaking about Three's Company, I always loved the episode where he got a job at a Benihana-type restaurant and tried to keep up with the guy at the other table. Simply fabulous.

Who's gonna cruise Greedy Gretchen at the Regal Beagle with Larry now??



"You have the right to suffer. You have the right to feel pain. If you wish to have an attorney present, I'll hurt him too!" - The Big Bossman
Zeruel
Thirty Millionth Hit
Moderator








Since: 2.1.02
From: The Silver Spring in the Land of Mary.

Since last post: 1675 days
Last activity: 1675 days
#30 Posted on | Instant Rating: 4.05
from www.tvland.com

As a tribute to our dear friend, John Ritter we will pre-empt our regularly scheduled programming in favor of two special blocks (One on TV Land on Sunday, and the other on Nick at Nite on Monday.)

Because Mr. Ritter's unexpected and untimely passing, as well as the last minute nature of these schedule changes, we ask for your patience as make the necessary changes to our schedule grids. As soon as the information is fully loaded, you will see them on our schedule pages. If you have trouble viewing the new information, kindly "refresh" your browser window.

On TV Land, Sunday September 14, 2003 we will feature a special block of shows in which Mr. Ritter either starred or guest starred, bringing his unique delivery and humor to the casts of shows other than Three's Company. Please check the schedules here.

On Nick at Nite, Monday September 15, 2003 from 9 PM - 6 AM (ET/PT) we will feature a special block of Three's Company episodes highlighting some of John Ritter's best moments in the series that made him famous.

Please check the schedules here.

EDIT:
R.I.P. John...you brought countless smiles to my face with your special gift...you were my hero when I was a kid(well, Jack Tripper was ) and you will be missed...

(edited by rikidozan on 13.9.03 0001)
Fixed the links.

(edited by rikidozan on 13.9.03 0003)




Almost finished my 2002-2003 College Football raitings. Watch this space!!!

XPacArmy
Frankfurter








Since: 13.5.03
From: Woodbridge, VA

Since last post: 3795 days
Last activity: 3792 days
#31 Posted on
    Originally posted by Big Bad
    RIP John Ritter

    To answer CRZ's question, given the shooting schedule of most sitcoms, I'd imagine that '8 Simple Rules' only had about a third of its season completed, if that. It'll clearly be the end of the show, since it couldn't continue without Ritter.


Here is a report from Yahoo! saying they only taped like 3 episodes.

"ABC Faces Tough Choices for Ritter Show

Beyond the personal tragedy, John Ritter's death left ABC executives with an unprecedented nightmare: the loss of one of their biggest stars a week before a new TV season is to begin.

No decision had been made Friday about the future of Ritter's comedy, "8 Simple Rules ... for Dating My Teenage Daughter," a network spokesman said.

Three new episodes of the series had already been filmed and Ritter was working on the fourth when he became ill and died suddenly Thursday.

ABC could cancel the series outright, continue without him or, considered less likely, cast another actor in Ritter's place.

"He was the lead in the show and you can't just suddenly drop in another person, nor could you write a death like that into that type of show," said Shari Brill, a television analyst for the ad buying firm Carat USA. "ABC is really in a tough situation."

ABC also could play reruns starting next week, save Ritter's three completed episodes for the November ratings "sweeps" and end with a special tribute to the actor, Brill said.

"8 Simple Rules" was Ritter's comeback vehicle, a comedy about a father's reaction to growing daughters that worked as a companion piece to Ritter's first hit two decades ago, "Three's Company."

It's hard to exaggerate its importance to ABC, a third-place network whose latest comeback strategy is to try to build an audience for its young comedies.

"8 Simple Rules," in its first season, was ABC's second most popular scripted series after "NYPD Blue." ABC was using it to lead off four comedies on its Tuesday night schedule.

The only similar episode in television history came when comic Redd Foxx died in 1991, after making seven episodes of his comeback series on CBS, "The Royal Family." The show returned without him six months after his death, but lasted only a few episodes.

In 1971, actor Peter Duel shot and killed himself after watching an episode of his ABC western, "Alias Smith and Jones." A new actor was hired and the show lasted another season and a half.

Over the past few years, the deaths of Richard Crenna of "Judging Amy," Nancy Marchand of "The Sopranos" and Lynne Thigpen of "The District" have forced writers to think of ways to write TV characters off programs.

"8 Simple Rules" was sold to advertisers and viewers as a John Ritter vehicle and he was at the show's core, said Tim Brooks, a Lifetime executive and author of "The Compete Director to Prime-Time Network and Cable Shows."

"It would be folly to replace him with another actor," Brooks said. "In that sense, it would be hard to continue the show. It's like the John Ritter show."

One possibility and it's a longshot would be to refocus the show around actress Katey Sagal, who plays Ritter's wife, he said.

Ritter's death immediately puts dozens of actors, writers and producers in limbo.

In New York Friday, former "Survivor" contestant and aspiring actor Colby Donaldson was on a cell phone to his agent. Two days earlier, Donaldson had signed to appear in one "8 Simple Rules" episode, and possibly more, as a handyman.

His agent had no answer for Donaldson.

"I would have loved to have had the opportunity to work with him and meet him," Donaldson said. "But all I can think about is the loss to those close to him.""



Homer Simpson: If they can send a man to the moon, why can't they make my shoes smell good?
redsoxnation
Scrapple








Since: 24.7.02

Since last post: 3923 days
Last activity: 3923 days
#32 Posted on
    Originally posted by XPacArmy
      Originally posted by Big Bad
      RIP John Ritter

      To answer CRZ's question, given the shooting schedule of most sitcoms, I'd imagine that '8 Simple Rules' only had about a third of its season completed, if that. It'll clearly be the end of the show, since it couldn't continue without Ritter.


    Here is a report from Yahoo! saying they only taped like 3 episodes.

    "ABC Faces Tough Choices for Ritter Show

    Beyond the personal tragedy, John Ritter's death left ABC executives with an unprecedented nightmare: the loss of one of their biggest stars a week before a new TV season is to begin.

    No decision had been made Friday about the future of Ritter's comedy, "8 Simple Rules ... for Dating My Teenage Daughter," a network spokesman said.

    Three new episodes of the series had already been filmed and Ritter was working on the fourth when he became ill and died suddenly Thursday.

    ABC could cancel the series outright, continue without him or, considered less likely, cast another actor in Ritter's place.

    "He was the lead in the show and you can't just suddenly drop in another person, nor could you write a death like that into that type of show," said Shari Brill, a television analyst for the ad buying firm Carat USA. "ABC is really in a tough situation."

    ABC also could play reruns starting next week, save Ritter's three completed episodes for the November ratings "sweeps" and end with a special tribute to the actor, Brill said.

    "8 Simple Rules" was Ritter's comeback vehicle, a comedy about a father's reaction to growing daughters that worked as a companion piece to Ritter's first hit two decades ago, "Three's Company."

    It's hard to exaggerate its importance to ABC, a third-place network whose latest comeback strategy is to try to build an audience for its young comedies.

    "8 Simple Rules," in its first season, was ABC's second most popular scripted series after "NYPD Blue." ABC was using it to lead off four comedies on its Tuesday night schedule.

    The only similar episode in television history came when comic Redd Foxx died in 1991, after making seven episodes of his comeback series on CBS, "The Royal Family." The show returned without him six months after his death, but lasted only a few episodes.

    In 1971, actor Peter Duel shot and killed himself after watching an episode of his ABC western, "Alias Smith and Jones." A new actor was hired and the show lasted another season and a half.

    Over the past few years, the deaths of Richard Crenna of "Judging Amy," Nancy Marchand of "The Sopranos" and Lynne Thigpen of "The District" have forced writers to think of ways to write TV characters off programs.

    "8 Simple Rules" was sold to advertisers and viewers as a John Ritter vehicle and he was at the show's core, said Tim Brooks, a Lifetime executive and author of "The Compete Director to Prime-Time Network and Cable Shows."

    "It would be folly to replace him with another actor," Brooks said. "In that sense, it would be hard to continue the show. It's like the John Ritter show."

    One possibility and it's a longshot would be to refocus the show around actress Katey Sagal, who plays Ritter's wife, he said.

    Ritter's death immediately puts dozens of actors, writers and producers in limbo.

    In New York Friday, former "Survivor" contestant and aspiring actor Colby Donaldson was on a cell phone to his agent. Two days earlier, Donaldson had signed to appear in one "8 Simple Rules" episode, and possibly more, as a handyman.

    His agent had no answer for Donaldson.

    "I would have loved to have had the opportunity to work with him and meet him," Donaldson said. "But all I can think about is the loss to those close to him.""







Actually, the most famous instance of a character a show focused around dying would be Eight is Enough, with the mother dying right as the show debuted, forcing the show to really focus around Dick Van Patten.
And of course, Gimme A Break is another example of a show where a parent died unexpectedly early in a show and the forced the producers to take a new direction for the show.



Time to do a Red Sox pennant chase supply list: Arsenic: check. Cyanide: check. Booze: check. Fully loaded gun for full chamber Russian Roulette: check. Ok, I'm prepared, let the pennant race commence.
Madame Manga
Boudin rouge








Since: 16.1.02
From: Silicon Valley

Since last post: 2804 days
Last activity: 2519 days
#33 Posted on
I guess everyone's forgotten poor Freddie Prinze, since I don't see him on any of these lists. I think "Chico and the Man" continued for another season with a little kid replacing Prinze's character. That's certainly the first time I recall circumstances like this.

MM
Zeruel
Thirty Millionth Hit
Moderator








Since: 2.1.02
From: The Silver Spring in the Land of Mary.

Since last post: 1675 days
Last activity: 1675 days
#34 Posted on | Instant Rating: 4.05
    Originally posted by Madame Manga
    I guess everyone's forgotten poor Freddie Prinze, since I don't see him on any of these lists. I think "Chico and the Man" continued for another season with a little kid replacing Prinze's character. That's certainly the first time I recall circumstances like this.

    MM


abc.com talked about it in Ritters obit.




Almost finished my 2002-2003 College Football raitings. Watch this space!!!

NEO
Salami








Since: 15.1.02
From: Texas

Since last post: 7283 days
Last activity: 7283 days
#35 Posted on
I know it's kinda late, but I just wanted to add that I had just seen Real Men like two days before the sad news. Now I gotta buy the copy. And that crazy one where they were living in the television, flippin channels and stuff. He was a great one. God bless him and his family.



"NOW YOU GET YOUR WHININ ASS OUTTA HERE!!" Sid Vicious after slapping Bret Hart
El Pescado
Kolbasz








Since: 3.1.02
From: Toms River, NJ

Since last post: 4616 days
Last activity: 4439 days
#36 Posted on
ABC's going to continue airing 8 Simple Rules. Apparently the show is going to focus on the death of the father and how the kids deal with it.



"You won't see that on Everybody Loves Raymond!"
-J.R. after Trish gets pasted with a chair
Big Bad
Scrapple








Since: 4.1.02
From: Dorchester, Ontario

Since last post: 1927 days
Last activity: 1495 days
#37 Posted on | Instant Rating: 5.54
ABC should just let the show go. Ritter carried that whole program, and it's just even more generic without him. This will take on Newsradio-without-Phil Hartman proportions in a hurry.



"When this bogus term alternative rock was being thrown at every '70s retro rehash folk group, we were challenging people to new sonic ideas. If some little snotty anarchist with an Apple Mac and an attitude thinks he invented dance music and the big rock group is coming into his territory, [that's] ridiculous." - Bono, 1997
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