12 09 2003
Two shocking deaths yesterday… John Ritter and Johnny Cash. The inevitable comparison between the two is that they’ve each made a surprise comeback over the last year. Both were considered to be past the best days of their respective careers. However, John Ritter had a well received sitcom - by both reviewers and viewers - start last season. Johnny Cash also had a bit of a revival recently with his cover of Trent Reznor’s ‘Hurt‘.
Weird, since it reminds me of a similar day thirteen years ago when Jim Henson and Sammy Davis Jr. both died on the same day. In both circumstances, one was a singer from my preceding generation, and the other was an entertainer from my childhood (and someone idolized by my brother, John). Additionally, the elders death was simply a matter of complications brought on by old age, while the younger was a sudden and shocking surprise.
Perhaps it’s my age, but even though I mourn the loss of Johnny Cash (who shares a birthday with me… and Michael effin’ Bolton *ptooie* ), my real sadness lies with John Ritter’s death. ‘8 Simple Rules…‘ is a well written show, could have survived for years, and is intelligently paired up with the blue-collar show ‘According to Jim‘.
Even though the show is focused around his character, I have no doubt that it will continue. The writing is strong, the cast is talented (even if the daughters are played by deceptively young actresses *ahem*) and it’s one of the only non-Reality-based shows high in the ratings right now. Personally, I would like to see the series continue. It would probably mean “A Very Special Episode Of…” followed by a ‘Valerie’s Family‘ set up.
Since there is so little on TV that I look forward to every week, I believe that such a ‘cop-out’ would be worth it.
