The series' name and premise were derived from the book 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter: And Other Tips from a Beleaguered Father (Not That Any of Them Work) by W. While 8 Simple Rules was renewed for a second season and production had begun, Ritter's sudden death in September 2003 left the series in an uncertain position.

Kaley Cuoco, Amy Davidson and Martin Spanjers co-starred as their teenage kids; Bridget, Kerry and Rory Hennessy.He is soon overwhelmed by the responsibility of being the father of teenage daughters and misses being a sports writer.Paul begins writing a column from home about his struggles with his children and offers advice to people who are in his same position.After Ritter had experienced discomfort during his rehearsal of the show that afternoon, crew members took him to a nearby Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center, where he suddenly died that night following a misdiagnosis of a heart attack.On Thursday, she uploaded an Instagram photo of herself reuniting with the original cast of the ABC programme 8 Simple Rules For Dating My Teenage Daughter - except, of course, for the late John Ritter.