8SR will not be Cancelled(new news here)

[Lor3nzo]

According to Steve Edwards of Fox's Good Day Live, ABC has announced that "8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter" WILL NOT BE CANCELLED and the John Ritter character will not be replaced and Paul Hennessy's death will be written into the story line. The three new episodes already recorded will air as originally planned.

Although i dont think it will last very long but i hope it does :(

[Lor3nzo]

sorry i did not know this was already posted

[Freakzilla]

I don't know if this will work either. In some ways, it seems right to not have to the show die with John. Also, it might help the younger cast members to still be working on the show, with all the people there who are going through the same things they are. It might not work out. But if the writers, producers, and cast can figure out how to make it work, the show could beat the odds.

[IloveJohnRitter5]

WAIT..there gonna make Paul die ????!! And then after they make Paul die they are going to go on with the show ???!!!

[Strawberry211605]

I'm happy that they are not canceling the show. I do think, though, that they should have John Ritters son be on the show periodically, and maybe also his wife sometimes. It's heartbreaking though that we lost such a great actor.

[Central Perk]

I'm kind of glad they're continuing the show. I also am glad that they are killing Paul instead of recasting him or replacing him with another father figure. I think that the episode where Paul dies will pay tribute to John and it will also express how the actors actually feel about losing him.

[.:Illusion:.]

I'm glad the show is going on... but I'm not so sure about having Paul die. I dunno... whatever keeps the show going. I didn't want to lose a great show such as this only right after the end of Season 1.

[David]

im glad they are continuing the show too.

It will be nice to see John's family on the show :)

[Small Wonderian]

I'm glad the show is continuing also.

[*GoodMorningCalgary*]

YAY! I'm Happy they're not cancelling it! at least we'll still be able to see Katey, Kaley, Amy and Martin. But Its gonna be a sad episode though :(

[jon123]

I still think that John Ritter is irreplacable and to bring in another father figure such as a previously unseen uncle or grandfather just will not work. It will be too sad without John (Paul). Why can't ABC take the high road for once?

[bop1997]

I'm sorry I don't see this show being good without John Ritter, he was the main reason I watced the show. No one else could fill his shoes or make the show as funny as he did. I miss him, my prayers are with his family. :(

[Raven-Symone]

Yes, Yes, I am sooooooooo happy that they are not cancelling the show, I would miss it very much if they did.

[PPatters]

This may seem cliche, but dooesn't everyone think that John Ritter would have WANTED the show to go on? I know, it may not be the greatest; but, it is a wonderful supporting cast, and Katey Segal is a wonderful actress, and the kids are wonderful actors, and I think that it can still work. I think that Mr. Ritter would have likely wanted the show to go on, and I applaud ABC and the producers and the cast for wishing to continue.

[PPatters]

Today on "Fox and Friends First," it says that a likelihood is that they will air the original three and continue on, though it says that no decision has yet been made... so it's not definite.

[felicitylen]

Originally posted by Kaleys#1Fan
According to Steve Edwards of Fox's Good Day Live, ABC has announced that "8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter" WILL NOT BE CANCELLED and the John Ritter character will not be replaced and Paul Hennessy's death will be written into the story line. The three new episodes already recorded will air as originally planned.

Although i dont think it will last very long but i hope it does :(

On Good Morning America, Diane Sawyer was saying how his character might be replaced with Henry Wrinkler because there were good friends. They've been friends for 25 years.

[Freakzilla]

I don't think they should just pop a new father figure in John's place. That would just seem artificial. But just having the remaining characters dealing with the situation, seeing how to make it funny in some ways, that would be natural. Maybe if the show remains successful and gets picked up for 2004-05, they could start looking for a possible step-father. They could just have it happen gradually.

[Sean12]

Seriously, someone needs to step up the plate and needs to play a brother or a step father or something. I think that Fonzie would do a great job.

For the people saying that they aren't going to watch the new show just because John Ritter is gone, I think that you're not really a fan of 8 Simple Rules because a real fan would stick with the show. How is it the casts fault? I'm sure they feel awful, but they have to move on.

[PPatters]

I have to agree with the camp that thinks that they should not replace John Ritter; they should merely continue without him, as unfortunate as the whole situation is.

[PPatters]

Just so ya'll know, the executive producers say that 8 Simple Rules.... will NOT be getting a new father-figure or male lead; while they say that new supporting characters may be added to deal with the death of Paul Hennessy in the show, there are no plans at all to replace him... the current plan is to focus the show on the relationship between Katey Segal's character and the children. Furthermore, they say that they will continue the arc of dealing with Paul's death (starting with a one-hour episode) as long as need be; they also say that, if they need to go out of normal sitcom mode to do it, they will, and they do not care for now long. I think it's a brave move of them and applaud them for their decision.

I do want to point out that the cast and crew came to this decision together; also, his wife, Amy Yasbeck, made a statement saying she fully supported the decision to continue the show and that she believed that John would have wanted them to do so. She said, "He believed in this show and its message that a strong family can get through anything," Yasbeck says. "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."

[jayman75]

I think it is great they are continuing the show. Everyday, a child loses a father. To show how the world can suddenly change will bring a sense of realism to the show. Of course, it may not work, but I think it's the best possible thing to do.

[Stuck In The '70's]

according to the ABC special that aired tonight 8 simple rules will have a one hour episode dealing with Paul Hennessey's death.

[Crimson and Clover]

Originally posted by mr roper
according to the ABC special that aired tonight 8 simple rules will have a one hour episode dealing with Paul Hennessey's death.

You know thats gonna be really hard on the cast to do that episode.

[Stuck In The '70's]

Originally posted by Crimson and Clover
You know thats gonna be really hard on the cast to do that episode. I know. As much as we miss him they got to miss him more because they actually knew him. It broke my heart when I saw them on that ABC special.

[Montanya427]

John Ritters legacy in life was his ability to make others laugh, he lived for comedy and laughter, and in honor to remember his memory you must validate what he lived for. He lived to make you laugh, and smile. He believed in his co-stars and his project. I am sure if he could let you know he would want you to keep laughing and enjoy the body of work he left us with to remember him by and continue to enjoy the projects he started.
I think an episode that shows the death of Paul would be great closure for the cast members. It will give them a chance to say goodbye to their TV father/Husband and to their personal friend. It will be hard but they are honoring his memory with what he lived for.

The laughter you cannot find is the saddest, the laughter you cannot hear hurts the deepest, and the laughter you shared last the longest

[Nephy]

Does anyone know if they're going to take a small break from the show to give the cast and crew time off to grieve, .. or are they going to film the death episode right away so they can air it after the first 3 episodes are shown?

[ClassicTVHits]

I beleive the first three episodes will air, and then they will air repeats for a while until they re-vamp the show. I beleive they want to start shooting again in 3-4 weks.