Quoting:
It was a very well handled episode.
End Quote

They did do a good job with it.

It reminded me of the show from the 90s called "Newsradio" when Phil Hartmen was murdered in real life, they had to suddenly write his character off dying on the show also.

...now the question is, how long will "8 Simple Rules" survive without their starring role?  After all, the only reason I ever watched it was because I liked John Ritter.

Quoting:
...now the question is, how long will "8 Simple Rules" survive without their starring role?  After all, the only reason I ever watched it was because I liked John Ritter.
End Quote

Actually, Katie Segal is not an unknown star in her own right.  I tuned in originally because of both her and John Ritter.  I loved her in Married With Children, and I think it is great to see her as a loving caring mother for a change.  I was doubtful when I first heard of the casting, thinking it might be Peg Bundy II.

I forgot to mention this earlier, but there was one quote that hit me VERY hard last night, because I have been telling myself the same thing for 5 years now:


"Can I get you something?" asked Suzanne Pleshette, Cate's mom

"Yesterday would be nice," Cate replied


Take it from somebody that lost a life partner, moving on and living is the hardest thing you can do.  I keep telling myself that someday I will go on with life again, and it has been over 5 years for me.

Quoting:
Actually, Katie Segal is not an unknown star in her own right.  I tuned in originally because of both her and John Ritter.  I loved her in Married With Children, and I think it is great to see her as a loving caring mother for a change.  I was doubtful when I first heard of the casting, thinking it might be Peg Bundy II.End Quote

True, but to be honest, I don't think she is even right for that part.

Whenever I see Katy Segal, I can't get the image of her as "Peg Bundy" out of my mind, and thats all I think of her as.  Sort of like when the cast of Sienfeld tried their hand at new sitcoms, I think their success on that show "typecasted" them forever, and their shows failed miserably.  I think Katy Segal will always be thought of as Peggy Bundy because of the same reason.

Lucky for her though, is she had John Ritter to share the load.  Now, I don't know what they will do.

Quoting:

WHile some people question the need to continue with the show, I think they did it with taste and dignity.  I am reminded of "Barney Miller" when Jack Soo died, and on "Night Court" when Florence Halop died, and then less then a year later when her replacement Selma Diamond also died (both of lung cancer).


End Quote

Quoting:
Those and Jack Soo's character were supporting characters, as was Michael Conrad's Sgt. Ezterhaus on "Hill Street Blues", Nicholas Colassanto's Coach on "Cheers", and Dolph Sweet's Carl on "Gimme A Break". Ritter was the star of the show he left behind, which is unique that the show would continue.

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Thats a good point.  

I think in a show where there is an ensemble of main characters, the death of one of them doesn't necessarily mean the death of the show.

But in this case, John Ritter was the main character.  Yes Katy Segal was there, but she wasn't the focus.  If this show continues for another season, I will be very surprised.

Quoting:

"Can I get you something?" asked Suzanne Pleshette, Cate's mom

"Yesterday would be nice," Cate replied

End Quote

sniff :(  that made my eyes well up.

This ep probably wont air here for a few more months but I read about it the other day and was pleased that James Garner was brought in as he has always been a big favorite of mine and I believe he would bring great dignity to the role.

Over the years we have had many shows that have had to deal with the sudden loss of a star.  Hill Street Blues came to mind immediately.  

I am always glad when the majority of shows dont go down the road of "lookalike" actors being brought in.  Its bad enough that they do it in day time soaps on a daily basis for no reason.

LyricBoy - I didnt know that about Katy - how sad to lose both parents so young and so traically in the fathers case.

Quoting:
How about someone that resembles John Ritter to be replaced or is that just too much? ???


Howard
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No, Howard, that wouldn't be good.  Alot of people were worried they would try that and protested that idea.  This episode had his character die...it was the only thing they could do.  No one else could take John Ritter's place.

I like Katey in this role.  She is a great actress...I think the reason I don't equate her with Peg is the hair and clothes.  She dresses more like a normal mom in this show.  I hope it continues to do well, it is a funny show.

Quoting:
How about someone that resembles John Ritter to be replaced or is that just too much? ???

Howard
End Quote

Something similar to that was done once, and only once.  Luckily, TV producers learned from their mistake.

In 1971, a surprising hit on ABC was "Alias Smith And Jones", the story of 2 wild west outlaws that wanted to go straight.

Hannibal Heyes (Joshua Smith) was played by veteran actor Pete Duel.  THe show started broadcast in January 1971, and was a real hit.  A second season was ordered, and things were looking good.

THen on New Years Eve 1971, Pete commited suicide.  THey had already shot several episodes, so they made the choice of recasting the part.  They brought in Roger Davis, who had been the narrator for the first season.

Most of the audience hated the replacement, with no explanation given on the show.  The ratings sank, and during the thrid season, it was placed on Saturday night, opposite "All In The Family", which routinely held the #1 spot.  After 3 seasons (considered the minimum for syndication) the series was cancelled.

I think that when that was considered, ABC executives remembered what happened to AS&J when they tried that.  It was a total disaster, and I am glad they did not.

(Injecting humor here) At least they did not bring in his cousin, like they did to Suzanne Somers on "Three's Company".

Caty:  Kids, I hate to tell you, but dad won't be comming home anymore.  But his (brother/cousin/best friend) Arthur will take his place.

Arthur: Heyyyyyy!

Rory:  What, you think you can come in here and take our dad's place?

Arthur:  Hey Rory, sit on it!  {Snaps his fingers}  Come on over here girls! {Bridget, Kerry, and Cate rush to his side and hang onto him}  You can go and polish my motorcycle nerd, let's go upstairs ladies, and you can show me where I will be sleeping.

{sceen fades out as the girls argue over him}



I am sorry if anybody is offended, I am just trying to put in some humor, which I am sure John would have wanted...  and if anybody did not get it, John's best friend was Henry Winkler, who played Arthur "Fonzi" Fonzarelli on "Happy Days".

Just think what a disaster that might have been!

Quoting:Something similar to that was done once, and only once.  Luckily, TV producers learned from their mistake.End Quote

Actually ABC tried to do a replacement another time too.  Granted it wasn't because of a death of the actor, but on Roseanne they replaced Becky with a not-so-lookalike girl that was supposed to be Becky midstream.

Quoting:
Actually ABC tried to do a replacement another time too.  Granted it wasn't because of a death of the actor, but on Roseanne they replaced Becky with a not-so-lookalike girl that was supposed to be Becky midstream.
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Actually, there are lots of cases of replacing a lead during a show, most often with a brother/sister or cousin of the departing character.

Three's Company and Love Boat are probably the 2 most famous/infamous of these events.  But the Alias Smith & Jones was the only case I could think of when they replaced a character when the actor had died, and with no explanation.

Of course, when Valerie Harper left "Valerie"/"The Hogan Family", they decided to kill her character in the show.  They scrapped the two episodes that had already been completed, and brought in Sandy Duncan as her husband's sister.  But that is a case of death to get out of a contract, not an actual death.

Of course, no TV death is irreversible without the death of the actor/actress.  Good examples are Bobby Ewing from Dallas and Tasha Yar from Star Trek: The Next Generation.  In both cases, the actors made bone-headed career moves and regretted it.  As a result, Bobby came back after a season long dream, and Tasha came back as her Romulan daughter.

Quoting:


Actually ABC tried to do a replacement another time too.  Granted it wasn't because of a death of the actor, but on Roseanne they replaced Becky with a not-so-lookalike girl that was supposed to be Becky midstream.
End Quote

Another somewhat successful character replacement is on Bewitched when "Darren #1" died.

The new guy "Darren #2" was not as good as the original, but the show went on for 2-3 more years, successfully.

Quoting:

Another somewhat successful character replacement is on Bewitched when "Darren #1" died.

The new guy "Darren #2" was not as good as the original, but the show went on for 2-3 more years, successfully.
End Quote

Actually, Dick York did not die.  He left because of chronic back pain.  He occasionally acted several other times, including Fantasy Island and Simon & Simon.  He did not die until 1992.