From the get-go, “8 Simple Rules” was poised for long-term success.
The saccharine plotlines burned viewers with an infectious poignancy.
In 2003, while rehearsing for Season 2, Ritter unexpectedly fell ill on set.
Years later, Katey Sagal still feels the heartbreak from John’s passing.
“And then when they made the decision to play it in real time, that dad really died.
And that was a brave choice … suddenly it was a single mom.
But it was really weird.
He was the whole show and just such a big love vibe.
He was so great.”
Years after Ritter’s unexpected passing, the show’s stars remain bonded by tragedy.
“It was absolutely heartbreaking.
It still is,” she says.
We feel like we all went through a life-changing experience."
