John Ritter died in real life. SO what they did in the show was to kill him off in a car crash and then Jim came to live with them to look after Cate during the mourning period and never leaves..
im actially quite saddend by learing of his death even if it was 3 years ago!and now iv also found out that the show has been axxed.kinda wish i didnt ask!
It was quite sad to hear he had passed away. I watch the show on ABC1 also and thought they kept the show going very well without him, it's definitely my favourite show to watch on that channel, either the episodes before or after his death. I'm suprised it didn't last long after he passed away, it's very funny.