John Ritter Remembered: 10 Surprising Facts & Rare Videos Fans Haven’t Seen Since “Three’s Company”

Hulu has green-lit a fresh TV take on “Stay Tuned,” the 1992 cult comedy that starred the late John Ritter and Pam Dawber as a suburban couple sucked into a demonic cable system—a concept that foreshadowed today’s binge culture. Showrunner Jordan Cahan teams with Oscar-winner Akiva Goldsman, while Broadway duo Josh Gad and Andrew Rannells are set to play the new trapped couch potatoes, navigating channel parodies that riff on everything from prestige dramas to true-crime docuseries. The reboot arrives as renewed interest in Ritter surges ahead of what would have been the Emmy-winning actor’s 77th birthday on September 17. Searches for “John Ritter movies,” “Three’s Company,” and “how did John Ritter die” have spiked as younger viewers discover his work on streaming platforms. ABC’s documentary series “Superstar” recently re-released its Ritter episode on Hulu, offering interviews with Kaley Cuoco, Henry Winkler, and his widow Amy Yasbeck that chronicle his rise from “Three’s Company” heartthrob to respected dramatic performer. Ritter’s sudden 2003 death from an undiagnosed thoracic aortic dissection galvanized his family to launch the John Ritter Foundation, which funds genetic research and free screenings for at-risk patients. The foundation’s Instagram feed, now trending with the hashtag #LoveLikeJohn, promotes September’s annual “Aortic Awareness Week” and virtual 5K fundraiser, events that typically draw thousands of global participants. Fans searching the actor’s name this month also land on the foundation’s FAQ explaining warning signs—sharp chest pain, back pain, and fainting—that can mimic a heart attack. Industry insiders say Hulu’s modern “Stay Tuned” could introduce Ritter’s slapstick timing to Gen Z audiences: the original film’s TV-spoof format aligns perfectly with TikTok sketch culture, and producer Akiva Goldsman hints each episode will dive into a different streaming genre, from K-dramas to superhero sagas. Location scouting is under way in Vancouver, with production rumored to start in late fall for a 2026 premiere. Meanwhile, digital retailers report a bump in sales of Ritter classics such as “Problem Child,” the holiday staple “Skin Deep,” and his final sitcom “8 Simple Rules,” where he starred opposite a teenage Kaley Cuoco. Wikipedia clocks tens of thousands of daily page views on Ritter’s biography, underscoring the lasting curiosity around the actor’s versatility—from voicing Clifford the Big Red Dog to winning an Emmy for “Three’s Company” in 1984. For longtime fans, the “Stay Tuned” reboot is more than nostalgia; it’s a reminder of Ritter’s knack for turning physical comedy into relatable humanity. For newcomers, it’s a gateway into a filmography that spans 100+ screen credits. As production news trickles out, expect Ritter’s name to stay at the top of search results—proving once again that good comedy, like a rerun you can’t stop watching, never really leaves the airwaves.