In a similar way that "Friends" is a major key to NBC's success, "8 Simple Rules..." is that for ABC. With the tragic death of "8 Simple Rules..." star John Ritter (I still cannot believe it: who'da thunk Mr. Furley would out live Jack Tripper?), ABC is essentially up a creek. They use the show to promote the entire ABC sked during that show. If it's gone, retooled or on definite (or indefinite) hiatus, they could have a problem.The decision regarding the show will be made sometime during the week of Monday, September 15. (ABC is having a special remembering him on Tuesday, Sep 16 at 8pm.) Not sure if they'll replace him (near impossible) or retool the show. [Sep 16: ABC News, The Show Will Go On] In addition to the gap Ritter leaves, the loss of "8 Simple Rules..." could set ABC back another year. My only thought for ABC Tuesday (if they decide to end production) is to move "Hope & Faith" to Tuesday 9pm and push "According to Jim" to the 8pm slot.
There barely is a precedent for a series star to die during a season. The only one I could think of was when the star of "Chico and the Man" (NBC; 1974-1978), Freddie Prinze (no, not him; his father), killed himself in January 1977. NBC put the show on hiatus and tried to retool for the following season. It never really worked.
Aside from the aforementioned, ABC isn't in the same bad situation as last year. They've got a few moderate hits, they're launching a couple of somewhat decent sitcoms, and three dramas, one each as decent, ok and nope.
If "10-8" manages to catch (don't think so), it could drive viewers to "Alias" (watch this show!) and possibly "The Practice 2.0." "NYPD Blue" in its 11th season, held its own last year, but with "Law & Order: SVU" against it now, how will it fare?
