John Ritter's Death Turned into Reality TV?
POSTED BY: Succatash
UPDATED: Thursday, September 25, 2003 15:57
VIEWED: 7608
PAGE 1 of 3
"ABC Will Continue John Ritter Sitcom "
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=514&e=9&u=/ap/20030916
/ap_on_en_tv/ritter_show
The part that annoys me is the Reality TV reference in the article:
"We will play out the situation as real life."
"Future episodes will take viewers into the Hennessy household as they experience the loss of a father and construct a new life together," said Lloyd Braun, chairman of the ABC Entertainment Television Group.
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Yep - I watched Remembering John Ritter tonight - an hour special - a retrospective of things he's done - I was disappointed they didn't mention his guest shot on Buffy.
They said at the very end that they will show the season premiere next week, then the three eps of 8 Simple Rules he filmed this month, then an hour long special in which the family deals with the death of their dad.
I'm not sure what to think - I doubt they'll do as good a job as Joss in The Body - and I can't see a sitcom dealing with death well.
Huh - I take that back. I loved the Roseanne ep where her dad died, and she had to go to the funeral.
Still - I just don't know. I think I'll watch - hoping for something good.
But man - remember when Katey Segal was pregnant while filming Married with Children? They wrote in the pregnancy, then she had a miscarriage? Had to be hard - now she's got to deal with the death of a friend not only in rl but on screen too. That's gotta suck.
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This is the most disrespectful way to treat an honored and beloved actor. Using his death to get ratings for their show is lower than a snake's belly.
I will not watch these upcoming episodes of "8 simple rules" out of respect for John Ritter.
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Who's winning?
I can't really tell, they don't seem to be playing by any civilized rules that I know.
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that interesting. I guess I can see why they'd want to continue the show. hopefully they'll be able to do it in a tasteful, respectful way.
Keep Flying!
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Quote:
Originally posted by ManiacNumberOne:
This is the most disrespectful way to treat an honored and beloved actor. Using his death to get ratings for their show is lower than a snake's belly.
I will not watch these upcoming episodes of "8 simple rules" out of respect for John Ritter.
-------------------------------------------
Who's winning?
I can't really tell, they don't seem to be playing by any civilized rules that I know.
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I could not agree more. The respectable thing to have done would have been to say "He was the heart of the show, he can not be replaced. We will show the remaining episodes then re-runs for the remainder of the season."
But no, they said "He would have wanted us to use his death to get huge ratings early in the season. Then we will destroy the show because it will no longer be funny."
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"Societies are supported by human activity, therefore they are constantly threatened by the human facts of self-intrest and stupidity." --Peter Berger
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Okay, I never watched the show, so I can't comment on how it was before and how Ritter's death will effect the quality. However, the idea that it's somehow disrespectful to continue doesn't necessarily seem to be the cold, mercenary decision it does to some of you. This show is doing well in the ratings, presumably people like it and like the characters. Yes, it's therefore making a lot of money, but it's also employing the cast, production staff and hundreds of crewmembers. I don't want to suggest this is entirely about money, but those people are still alive and still have families to support. Is Ritter's memory so important that they have to shutter this production?
When Michael J. Fox's Parkinsons progressed and he had to leave the sitcom "Spin City"- which was a vehicle created for him- the show continued with his blessing and a new lead actor, Charlie Sheen. In the case of "8 Simple Rules..." I wonder what Ritter would have wanted, but I suspect he'd want the show to go on.
I can't believe I just made a case for keeping "8 Simple Rules..." on the air. Huh?
History repeats the old conceits
http://topshelftvshow.com
Updated! Improved! Shiny!
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I have to agree with CBT, John Ritter was the star, but he wasn't the whole show. We're not talking about "Our Town" done in monologue. I'm sure all the actor, actresses, gaffs, lighting techs, etc. need to feed their families too. We can only hope that it is done tastefully.
Viva Firefly!
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Quote:
Originally posted by Succatash:
"ABC Will Continue John Ritter Sitcom "
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=514&e=9&u=/ap/20030916
/ap_on_en_tv/ritter_show
The part that annoys me is the Reality TV reference in the article:
"We will play out the situation as real life."
"Future episodes will take viewers into the Hennessy household as they experience the loss of a father and construct a new life together," said Lloyd Braun, chairman of the ABC Entertainment Television Group.
I don't see the "reality TV" reference. I do understand what they mean by "...play out the situation as real life."
It means that they won't gloss over the situation as if the character merely isn't there. If would be unrealistic if the Dad character just wasn't around after being so involved in his daughter's lives.
I read in an industry publication that the character Ritter played will also have died and the family will be dealing with this in future episodes.
This is still a sitcom (or now, maybe what's called a 'dramedy'). Not "reality TV."
I hope this clears up your misunderstanding.
I admit, I never watched the show, but I feel for Ritter's co-workers and especially for his family.
He will be missed.
"Take me, sir. Take me hard."
---TllGrrl
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Quote:Excuse me? I am not misunderstanding anything, you are telling me old news. I disagree with you. John Ritter deserves better.
Originally posted by Tallgrrl:
I hope this clears up your misunderstanding.
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Quote:
Originally posted by CaptBaggytrousers:
I can't believe I just made a case for keeping "8 Simple Rules..." on the air. Huh?
History repeats the old conceits
http://topshelftvshow.com
Updated! Improved! Shiny!
Actors live to act.
John Ritter was an actor. Because of his fellow cast members, there's no way he would have wanted this show to stop just because he was no longer there.
I'm very sure that the network is extremely saddened by the death of one of their hit show's stars...but you can bet your behind that the main thing on their minds was The Money.
That's their business, pure and simple.
Most people don't know or understand this concept, so here is your lesson in TV:
Network programming exists for one reason...to make an audience for commercials. Not the other way around. Some shows, you can tell there only in it for the money. Other times you get lucky and get a show like "Firefly".
Anyway, that's how the networks stay alive.
When a network (and this includes their affiliate stations) has a "hit", especially in Prime Time, commercial time during that show is very very expensive.
An advertiser pays a lot of money for a 30 second spot during a hit show. Thousands, sometimes millions (in the case of something huge like the Superbowl) of dollars.
"8 Rules..." is a hit show for ABC.
-**
The advertisers know that a lot of people watch and they pay large money to the network (and local businesses pay hefty ad fees to affiliates)to have their ads run during that show.
ABC does not want to lose this ad revenue.
They hope the writers do a good enough job continuing this story without it's key star, so that people will continue to care about the characters and keep watching.
I hate to sound cold, but ABC would be stupid to cancel this show outright because of the tragic and sudden death of John Ritter. Their stockholders would consider it a bad move to not see if they can salvage the show.
And you are right: there are a lot of people involved in this project.From the cast members to the crew including costumers, grips, prop masters, script supervisors, camera operators...and the list goes on because it takes a lot of people to put a show on every week. I know this to be true because I've worked in the industry for many years and have friends who still do in front of and behind the camera.
Yeah, I feel like I'm making a case for "8 Rules" too, but I'm not. Even though it's not what I like, I'm not about putting people out of work.
Well, except the people who produce the reality-crap like "Joe Millionaire" and people who cancel good, innovative, EMMY WINNING, shows like Firefly.
"Take me, sir. Take me hard."
---TllGrrl
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