How The Team Behind '8 Simple Rules' Handled Jon Ritter's Death
Fans appear to equate Kaley Cuoco with The Big Bang Theory. This is sensible since her role as Penny on the network sitcom broke her into A-list standing. But Kaley, who is excellent friends with Big Bang Theory executive producer Chuck Lorre, was once actually on every other sitcom proper prior to her occupation took her to new heights. We're speaking about ABC's 8 Simple Rules For Dating My Teenage Daughter.
On The Big Bang Theory, Kaley's persona tended to be the focal point of a large number of good looks humor and beauty remarks because of her incredible level of fitness. This was no other when she starred as Bridget Hennessy on 8 Simple Rules, the eldest daughter of a family of five. At least, it began out as a circle of relatives of 5.
Kaley, along Amy Davidson and Martin Spanjers, portrayed the youngsters of Katey Sagal and Jon Ritter. Of route, both Katey and Jon had been sitcom icons through the time they headlined the solid of the 2002 sitcom. Katey used to be best-known for her function as Peggy on Married With Children while Jon got here from Three's Company status.
The forged was set up for luck on the saccharine circle of relatives display... Except tragedy struck when Jon Ritter abruptly gave up the ghost whilst the forged used to be rehearsing the 2nd season.
Basically, the display lost its primary attraction and the major focus. After all, he was the one who performed the over-protective father that the show's identify used to be based on...
So, how did the team care for such a loss?
The Tragic Loss Of Jon Ritter
The first season of 8 Simple Rules used to be most commonly taken with Jon's persona Paul, a sportswriter and way of life columnist who is compelled to do most of the child-rearing when his wife takes a full-time job. A standard episode would in finding Paul suffering to control his adventurous eldest daughter (Kaley), his studious heart daughter (Amy), and his hormone-fueled son (Martin). Then Katey Sagal's Cate would come in and help him to find his approach.
In fact, for the first season, Katey's character was once just about sidelined. But in step with an article in Entertainment Weekly, she did not thoughts. She just sought after to work with Jon once more after a few stints in the '90s. The two were rapid buddies and that continued whilst filming 8 Simple Rules.
By the time the second season used to be renewed, there was once already something incorrect with Jon. While the first 3 episodes of the 2nd season were in the can, Jon had some main troubles on the fourth. The group rushed him to the sanatorium the place he used to be misdiagnosed as having a heart assault. Because of this, his exact condition worsened and he died that night time.
He was 54.
This used to be a stunning loss.
And it absolutely broke the solid and team of 8 Simple Rules, to not mention Jon's circle of relatives, who just adored the guy. After all, his popularity in Hollywood was once stellar. He was a good guy. A hardworking man. And one who had the again of his castmates and team.
They Let Their Characters Grieve
After Jon's passing, the display announced that the display would proceed after a hiatus and the airing of the first 3 episodes that have been introduced through Katey Sagal.
Two months later, the display handled the death with a surprising one-hour episode entitled, "Goodbye". It was basically a tribute to Jon.
While the display at all times had a heart and some touching moments, it used to be in the long run a comedy. But the episodes that adopted, which were shot and not using a studio audience, dealt with the Hennessy circle of relatives shedding their patriarch. Yes, the team behind 8 Simple Rules in reality wrote in the death.
What else may they do?
Jon Ritter used to be gone, so Paul Hennessy had to be too.
But they did not make it a gimmick and that perceived to cross over smartly with the humungous 20.Five million viewers who tuned in to peer how the show would deal with it. The one-hour special wasn't available to critics previously, according to Seattlepi, and the writers didn't lodge to sappy classes... They let their characters grieve simply as the other people enjoying them did.
There were not many laughs nevertheless it used to be incredibly touching.
The fact that they principally changed genres 3 episodes into the 2nd season was shocking. And the episodes that followed, which well being with the circle of relatives's reaction to the passing of their father, have been extremely touching.
Katey's role was expanded and two new characters were added as guest-stars, James Garner and Suzanne Pleshette as Cate's very strict folks. Later, David Spade guest-starred as Cate's nephew, C.J. Barnes.
Soon after, James Garner and David Spade had been upped to collection regulars to fill the void.
However, the display never relatively had the steam it as soon as did when Jon Ritter used to be alive. This left it on the reducing block after the 3rd season aired.
But if in case you have a loss as monumental as that... how could you ever find the magic that when was once?
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