8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter

By STEPHEN BATTAGLIO
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

The show could go on without John Ritter.
ABC-TV and parent company Walt Disney were considering plans yesterday to keep "8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter" going with a new star, according to sources familiar with the discussions.

An ABC spokesman declined to comment on what the show's future might be.

But word around Hollywood was that if the show does keep going, there will be an episode dealing with the death of Ritter's character, a stay-at-home sportswriter named Paul Hennessy who struggles to raise his two teenage daughters and younger son.

The sources said Ritter could be replaced by a new male character - possibly an uncle - brought in to help care for the Hennessy children.

Henry Winkler, Tony Danza, Howie Mandel and Richard Kline, who played Ritter's pal on the '70s sitcom "Three's Company," were among the actors being mentioned for the role.

Three new episodes of "8 Simple Rules" with Ritter have been shot. The second season premiere is scheduled for Sept. 23.

But replacing him will be tricky, because "8 Simple Rules" was built around his well-known TV persona.

"I don't think the show can succeed without him," said Steve Sternberg, an analyst for ad-buying firm Magna Global USA. "He was the draw for the show."

Michael Eisner, chairman of ABC parent Walt Disney Co., will pay tribute to Ritter at the start of the "8 Simple Rules" episodes when they are broadcast.

Originally published on September 12, 2003

 

It will be interesting to see what they do with this one...

 

i guess there aren't any more rules. they should just shoot girls gone wild now.

 

Hmmmmmmmmmm, should I submit my resume for this position ? ? ? ? ?

 

I'd like to submit something to the oldest daughter on that show