September 11 -- Remembered for Terrorist Attacks and the Passing of John Ritter

Sunday, September 11, 2005

September 11 -- Remembered for Terrorist Attacks and the Passing of John Ritter

SitcomsOnline.com News Special Feature: September 11 is probably the worst day ever in the history of America. Yes, four years ago today the tragic terror events happened. It is hard to believe that it already has been four years, it seems that nightmare was just like yesterday. But this day is also very tragic for television fans, too. Two years ago tonight the great beloved John Ritter passed away. It was just after 10 p.m. PT that this happened two years ago. John was on the set of his ABC sitcom 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter doing promos, rehearsing scenes and doing an interview for the Museum of Television & Radio. It was also his little girl's birthday, so John, who is always energetic and happy, was extra energetic and happy that day. Two of his closest friends were set to guest star on his show the next day--actor Henry Winkler (Happy Days) and the great director Peter Bogdanovich.

Later that day, John didn't feel too good, so he asked the director if he could go lay down in his dressing room. The cast of the show were aware that he usually takes afternoon naps. He needs those naps because he is so energetic. A few hours or so later John began to sweat a lot so he called one of the producers over. Eventually, they took him to the hospital across the street, the same hospital where he was born. While going to the hospital, John was still cracking jokes to lighten the mood.

We all know what happens after that. Amy Yasbeck, John's wife, was later called to the hospital. Originally everyone thought he had food poisoning, but later they discovered an aortic problem. I believe his older son, Jason Ritter also came later on. And at 10 p.m. PT that night, John had passed away at the age of only 54. So tragic. It was such a terrible loss to not only Hollywood, but for the entire country. Everyone liked him. He was not your average Hollywood actor, he had no ego and he made you feel like someone important, when he was really the important one. He didn't care who he talked to, whether it be a janitor on the set or an executive at ABC, he treated everyone equally. He was known as the nicest actor in Hollywood. When everyone heard about his passing on early morning on Sept. 12, 2003, everyone was in a state of shock. I was literally in shock. I had never felt like that before and don't ever want to feel like that again EVER.
With reruns and DVDs, John's work will live on forever. The only sad part is we will never get to see him in a new movie or new TV show again. He was an amazing human being and actor.

So, tonight at 10 p.m. PT (1 a.m ET), please think of John or give him a moment of silence. He deserves it. Continue to rest in peace, John.
View all of my websites to all of John's series: Three's Company, Hearts Afire, Hooperman and 8 Simple Rules...
NOTE: The Three's Company website is on a temporary address, as the real address is currently down. Sorry for any inconvenience.

Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Thursday, November 13

Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - "A Pregnancy Test and an Old Man’s Gallbladder" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Georgie’s jealousy rears its head when Mandy gets sent on an overnight work trip with her ex and current boss, Scott (Christopher Gorham). Meanwhile, Jim and Audrey panic when they find a pregnancy test in Connor’s trash.

Ghosts - "T-Daddy" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Trevor’s relationship with his daughter is strained when he pushes her to follow a career in finance over poetry. Meanwhile, Jay confronts labor unrest at the restaurant.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of November 10)

Thursday, November 13

The Jonas Brothers (Jonas/Jonas LA) - The Jonas Brothers are guests on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Billy Bob Thornton (Hearts Afire) - Billy Bob swings by the studio on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
Olivia Holt (I Didn't Do It/Shake It Up) - Olivia appears on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
Alicia Silverstone (American Woman) - Alicia talks about A Merry Little Ex-Mas on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
Glen Powell (Chad Powers/Scream Queens) - Glen talks about The Running Man on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
Jake Lacy (High Fidelity/The Office/Better with You) - NBC's Today catches up with Jake in the 9am hour.
Leslie Bibb (Palm Royale/God's Favorite Idiot/American Housewife/The Odd Couple/About a Boy) - Leslie co-hosts NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
Oliver Hudson (Splitting Up Together/Rules of Engagement/My Guide to Becoming a Rock Star) - Oliver talks about Gingerbread Land: The Biggest Little Holiday Competition on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
Karen Pittman (And Just Like That...) - Karen talks about The Morning Show on Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
Carrie Preston (Crowded/Happyish/Emeril) - Carrie joins the Tam Fam in a daytime exclusive to celebrate the new season of her hit show Elsbeth on Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
Da'Vine Joy Randolph (Only Murders in the Building/High Fidelity/People of Earth/Selfie) - Da'Vine talks about her new film Eternity on Sherri, so check your local listings.
Woody Harrelson (Cheers), Dave Franco (The Afterparty/Scrubs/Do Not Disturb), Isla Fisher (Wolf Like Me) and Ariana Greenblatt (Stuck in the Middle) - The Now You See Me: Now You Don't cast including Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, Isla Fisher Jesse Eisenberg, Ariana Greenblatt, Justice Smith and Dominic Sessa join Drew to dish all about the third installment of the hit franchise on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Lake Bell (Bless This Mess/How to Make it in America/Childrens Hospital) - Lake talks about HBO Max's The Chair Company on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.