View source for 8 Simple Rules

{{Short description|American television sitcom (2002–2005)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2012}}
{{Infobox television
| alt_name                 = ''8 Simple Rules ... for Dating My Teenage Daughter'' {{no italic|(seasons 1{{ndash}}2)}}
| image                    = 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter (logo).svg
| caption                  = 
| genre                    = [[Sitcom]]
| based_on                 = {{Based on|''8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter''|[[W. Bruce Cameron]]}}
| creator                  = Tracy Gamble
| starring                 = {{Plainlist|
* [[John Ritter]]
* [[Katey Sagal]]
* [[Kaley Cuoco]]
* [[Amy Davidson]]
* [[Martin Spanjers]]
* [[James Garner]]
* [[David Spade]]
}}
| composer                 = Dan Foliart
| country                  = United States
| language                 = English
| num_seasons              = 3
| num_episodes             = 76
| list_episodes            = List of 8 Simple Rules episodes
| executive_producer       = {{Plainlist|
* [[Tom Shadyac]]
* Michael Bostick
* Tracy Gamble
* Flody Suarez
* [[James Widdoes]]
* Judd Pillot
* [[John Peaslee]]
}}
| producer                 =
| runtime                  = 22 minutes
| company                  = {{Plainlist|
* [[Shady Acres Entertainment]]
* Flody Co. (2002&ndash;2004)
* Tracy Gamble Productions (2004)
* [[ABC Signature|Touchstone Television]]
}}
| network                  = [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]
| first_aired              = {{Start date|2002|9|17}}
| last_aired               = {{End date|2005|4|15}}
}}

'''''8 Simple Rules''''' (originally '''''8 Simple Rules... for Dating My Teenage Daughter''''') is an American television [[sitcom]] originally starring [[John Ritter]] and [[Katey Sagal]] as middle-class parents Paul and Cate Hennessy, raising their three children. [[Kaley Cuoco]], [[Amy Davidson]], and [[Martin Spanjers]] co-starred as their teenage kids: Bridget, Kerry, and Rory. The series ran on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] from September 17, 2002, to April 15, 2005. The first season focused on Paul being left in charge of the children after Cate takes a full-time job as a nurse, with comedic emphasis on his often strict rules concerning his daughters and dating. The series' name and premise were derived from the book ''8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter'' by [[W. Bruce Cameron]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110129105040/http://www.cbsnews.com/2300-500150_162-572886.html "John Ritter"]. [[CBS News]]. Page 1 of 17. Retrieved October 4, 2012.</ref>

While ''8 Simple Rules'' was renewed for a second season and production had begun, [[John Ritter#Death|Ritter's sudden death]] on September 11, 2003, left the series in an uncertain position. After a hiatus, the series returned and killed off his character. [[James Garner]] and [[David Spade]] later joined the main cast as Cate's father Jim Egan and her nephew C.J. Barnes. In May 2005, after three seasons, ABC cancelled ''8 Simple Rules'' due to low ratings.

==Episodes==
{{Main|List of 8 Simple Rules episodes}}
{{:List of 8 Simple Rules episodes}}

==Characters==

===Main===
* {{anchor|Paul Hennessy}}Paul Hennessy, portrayed by [[John Ritter]] (2002–2003), is a former sportswriter who works from home as a lifestyle columnist. He is a protective father whose nature often embarrasses his children and leads them to accuse him of hypocrisy. Following Ritter's death, Paul dies [[offscreen]] early in the second season, having suddenly collapsed in a grocery store while buying milk.
* {{anchor|Cate S. Hennessy}}Cate S. Hennessy (née Egan), portrayed by [[Katey Sagal]], is the wife, mother, nurse, and easily the most sane and composed person in the family. She takes a nursing job at the kids' school so that she can work standard hours and spend more time with the kids. Cate starts dating her kids' high-school principal, Ed Gibb (portrayed by [[Adam Arkin]]), towards the end of Season 3. During her teens, she was just as popular, scheming, and rebellious as Bridget, and as such, she is usually the first to notice when Bridget is up to something. Her middle name is Stinky because her father had promised his best friend that he would name one of his children after him after having accidentally stabbed him with a bayonet while they were drunk in [[Korea]]; to hide this, she claims that the "S" stands for Stacy.
* {{anchor|Bridget Hennessy}}Bridget Erin "Beach" Hennessy, portrayed by [[Kaley Cuoco]], is the beautiful, ditzy oldest child. She is depicted as a [[Blonde stereotype|stereotypical blonde]], a popular bombshell who is preoccupied with her looks, teenage boys, and little else. However, she sometimes displays intelligence or profundity in a poignant manner. Her favorite book is [[J. D. Salinger]]'s ''[[The Catcher in the Rye]]''.<ref>{{cite episode| title=Drummer Boy (part 2)| series=8 Simple Rules|network=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]|airdate= 2003-02-11| season=1| number=18}}</ref> After her father dies, she begins to steadily mature. Bridget immediately feels guilty about Paul's death because the last words that she had ever spoken to him were "I hate you" after arguing with him on the morning of his death. In Season 2, Bridget is revealed to have been conceived on a beach.<ref>{{cite episode| title=Sex Ed| series=8 Simple Rules|network=ABC| airdate=2003-09-30| season=2| number=2}}</ref>
* {{anchor|Kerry Hennessy}}Kerry "Care Bear" Hennessy, portrayed by [[Amy Davidson]], is the disgruntled middle child. She is often seen as unattractive when compared to her beautiful older sister. Bridget accuses her of stealing her boyfriend Kyle, though her own actions had driven Kyle away. Kerry is typically negative and sarcastic, often making snide remarks about others. She is also a passionate activist who cares about [[animal rights]]. She loses her [[virginity]] to Bruno (her boyfriend in Europe) later in the third season. She is often annoyed at her sister and is easily upset, yet frequently the two girls team up against their parents' authority or at the expense of their brother. Kerry is also very artistic and keeps a sketchbook. She is the smart child, but often shows naiveté. After she starts dating Bridget's popular ex-boyfriend Kyle, her own popularity increases, and she begins to act a bit more like her older sister.
* {{anchor|Rory Hennessy}}Rory Joseph Hennessy, portrayed by [[Martin Spanjers]], is Cate and Paul's son and their youngest child. He often takes pleasure in [[Wiktionary:tattle|tattling]] on his sisters. Usually he waits until his sisters have already committed an infraction, then tells his father, who explodes. Rory is his father's favorite child. He becomes involved in money-making schemes with C.J. He is commonly seen playing in the living room and mentions wanting a monkey; he had once acquired a monkey by trading some of his father's baseball cards, and later traded the monkey for a guitar. He also delights in showing his friends the private aspects of his sister Bridget's life, mentioning once that his friends looted Bridget's underwear drawer. Rory is hit hard by Paul's death and punches a hole in his wall out of anger, cutting his hand. He explains the injury as a burn from having removed a hot casserole from the oven. After he enters high school, Rory matures, leaving C.J. to be the main [[wikt:wisecrack|wisecrack]]er of the family.
* {{anchor|Jim Egan}}Jim Egan, portrayed by [[James Garner]] (2003–2005), is Cate's father. Jim served in the [[Korean War]] and is proud of his service (he becomes angry whenever the war is called a "police action"). He is very protective of the family. He often sneaks away to smoke tobacco. He is divorced, having formerly resided in Florida before moving into Cate's basement, and often tries to beat C.J. with his cane. He takes pride in C.J.'s success as a teacher.
* {{anchor|C.J. Barnes}}C.J. Barnes, portrayed by [[David Spade]] (2004–2005), is Cate's nephew. He was once in the army and claims to have studied aerial photography during the [[Gulf War]], and to have received a [[Purple Heart]] in combat, which is in contrast to his generally childish attitude. He is a teacher who often pursues women, though unsuccessfully. When C.J. first arrives, the family is initially surprised. He reveals that he was ashamed that he did not live up to Paul's expectations and avoided them because of that. He lives with his grandfather, Jim, in the basement (having previously lived in a van, which Jim had burned). He once dated Mrs. Krupp, Kerry and Bridget's math teacher, but cheated on her with his ex-girlfriend Cheryl. He reveals that his first initial stands for Corey. C.J. previously smoked [[cannabis (drug)|marijuana]] heavily (and in fact used to smoke with Kyle's older brother), but he claims to not have touched it in two years (he originally claims it was five years, though he relents after Jim expresses disbelief).

===Recurring===
* Kyle, portrayed by [[Billy Aaron Brown]], is Bridget's – and later Kerry's – boyfriend. He is often seen spending time with Rory when not with either Kerry or Bridget. His father, Tommy, used to work with Paul.
* Ed Gibb, portrayed by [[Adam Arkin]], is the principal of the local high school. He and Cate knew each other in high school, and even dated. Their accounts of their first romantic encounter are different, each professing to have had more self-control. Despite this, they have some very intimate moments.
*Nick Sharpe, portrayed by [[Patrick Warburton]], is Paul’s editor at the newspaper. He takes Paul’s place at the sportswriters' poker game and he and Paul frequently commiserate about having teenage daughters. 
* Coach Scott, portrayed by [[Dan Cortese]], is a high-school coach on whom Bridget had a [[Puppy love|crush]]. He likes Cate, and Cate initially likes him, but then discovers Bridget's crush, which causes her to deny Scott's romantic advances towards her.
* Jenna Sharpe, portrayed by [[Nikki Danielle Moore]] (2003–2005), is the daughter of Paul's boss Nick, and one of Bridget's rivals, who later becomes her friend. She has a younger sister, Rachael (Nicole Mansour), who is a friend of Kerry.
* Missy Kleinfeld, portrayed by [[Daniella Monet]] (2003–2004), is Rory's love interest in Season 2. She has a sister, Sissy (Elena Lyons), who likes C.J.
* Jeremy, portrayed by [[Jonathan Taylor Thomas]] (2004), is Bridget's tutor and eventual boyfriend. He is considered a [[nerd]] at school, and because of this, Bridget at first denies her interest in him.
* Anthony W., portrayed by [[Cole Williams]] (2002–2003), is a student in Bridget's class. He is a white boy who speaks like a black [[rapping|rapper]], often resulting in confusion. In "Cool Parent",  he is shown to play [[lacrosse]].
* Maggie Barnes (née Egan), portrayed by [[Cybill Shepherd]], is Cate's sister and C.J.'s mother. Maggie shares the same sensitive, moody nature as Kerry. However, it appears (from a conversation between Ed Gibb and Cate) that Cate was the smarter one, as well as being more popular.
* Fred Doyle, portrayed by [[John Ratzenberger]], is a persistent and overly friendly neighbor of the Hennessys, and husband of Mary Ellen (portrayed originally by [[Shelley Long]] and then by [[Cindy Williams]]). He is the father of Donald "Donny" Doyle, who has dated Bridget for some time. Fred is the head of the [[neighborhood watch]], and his family is religious.
* Mrs. Krupp, portrayed by [[Suzy Nakamura]], is a math teacher at the school.
* Damian, portrayed by [[Paul Wesley]], is Bridget's ex-boyfriend who appears in two episodes.
* Lacey/Lacy, portrayed by [[Kala Savage]] (2003–2004), is Bridget's friend who appears in three episodes.
* Laura Egan, portrayed by [[Suzanne Pleshette]], is Cate and Maggie's mother.
*Tommy, portrayed by [[Larry Miller (comedian)|Larry Miller]], a co-worker of Paul, and Kyle's dad.

===Guest appearances===
{{col-begin|width=70%}}
{{col-2}}
* [[Pamela Anderson]]
* [[Terry Bradshaw]]
* [[Nick Carter]]
* [[Dan Cortese]]
* [[Mo Gaffney]]
* [[Beth Grant]]
* [[Josh Henderson]]
* [[Matt Lanter]]
* [[Thad Luckinbill]]
{{col-2}}
* [[Tatum O'Neal]]
* [[Ed O'Neill]]
* [[Jason Priestly]]
* [[Shawn Pyfrom]]
* [[Nicole Richie]]
* [[Connie Sawyer]]
* [[Connie Stevens]]
* [[Raquel Welch]]
{{col-end}}

== Production ==

===Ritter's death===
The first three episodes of the series' second season had been completed when Ritter experienced discomfort during a rehearsal on the afternoon of September 11, 2003.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/john-ritter-legacy-lives-in-ritter-rules/|title=John Ritter Legacy Lives in "Ritter Rules"|date=March 17, 2010|publisher=cbsnews.com}}</ref> Crew members took him to a nearby hospital, [[Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center]], where he was misdiagnosed as having a [[heart attack]] and, as a result, his condition had worsened when physicians later diagnosed him with an [[aortic dissection]]. He died that night at the age of 54.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.today.com/id/22989512#.UpxHNOI8rIU|title=John Ritter's widow talks about wrongful death suit|last=Considine|first=Bob|date=February 4, 2008|publisher=today.com|access-date=June 12, 2017|archive-date=December 5, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205013834/http://www.today.com/id/22989512#.UpxHNOI8rIU|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,628262_2,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080320114343/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,628262_2,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 20, 2008|title=John Ritter: 1948–2003|date=September 18, 2003|publisher=[[People (magazine)|People]]|page=2}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.biography.com/actor/john-ritter|title=John Ritter|website=Biography|date=October 15, 2021 }}</ref> Two days after Ritter’s emotional funeral, Disney CEO, [[Michael Eisner]] weighed in with an email to [[ABC Entertainment]] Chairman, [[Lloyd Braun]], and President, [[Susan Lyne]], outlining how they should resume the series; Eisner proposed that Cate, Ritter’s wife in the show, played by [[Katey Sagal]], be pregnant (she’d had a pregnancy scare in an earlier episode). Then she could give birth for the May [[sweeps week]]. Before the TV executives could respond, Eisner’s number-two (Disney’s President and COO), [[Bob Iger]], weighed in with an email, cheerleading his boss’s proposal. Nevertheless, Braun and Lyne were both appalled; they were still undecided about resuming the series at all, but to suggest that Ritter’s character would be leaving a baby behind was going too far. It seemed unspeakably exploitative to capitalize on Ritter’s death by making his wife pregnant and having her give birth during the May sweeps. After highly emotional arguments between both factions, where Eisner accused Braun and Lyne of behaving as [[Elitism|elitists]], the pregnancy pitch eventually faded.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Stewart |first=James |title=Disneywar: The Battle for the Magic Kingdom |date=February 14, 2005 |publisher=Simon & Schuster |isbn=9780743263818 |location=New York City, New York |pages=470–472 |language=English}}</ref>

Following Ritter's death, ABC announced that ''8 Simple Rules'' would continue after a hiatus and would incorporate the death of Ritter's character. The three new episodes that Ritter had completed were aired with an introduction by Sagal.

''8 Simple Rules'' returned two months after Ritter's death with a one-hour episode, "Goodbye", which was turned into a tribute to Ritter's character. Subsequent episodes dealt with the family's reaction to his death and how they moved on from it. The first four post-Ritter episodes were shot without a live audience with [[James Garner]] and [[Suzanne Pleshette]] guest-starring as Cate's strict but loving parents and [[David Spade]] guest-starring as Cate's wayward nephew, C.J. Barnes. Garner and Spade later received starring roles in order to fill the void left by Ritter for the remainder of the series' run.

===Third season and cancellation===
Before Ritter's death, ''8 Simple Rules'' ranked 42nd in the [[Nielsen ratings]]. After Ritter's death, it had slipped to 50th, but was renewed for a third season, in which ABC moved the series to Friday at 8:00&nbsp;p.m. as part of its ''[[TGIF (ABC)|TGIF]]'' comedy line-up. The series' creator and show-runner, Tracy Gamble, left the series for a time over creative differences prior to the third season, but he later returned as a consulting producer midway through the season. Gamble was replaced by Judd Pillot and John Peaslee, who had performed the same role in the final season of Spade's sitcom ''[[Just Shoot Me!]]''.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Show Must Go On: How the Deaths of Lead Actors Have Affected Television Series|last=Snauffer|first=Douglas|publisher=McFarland|year=2008|isbn=978-0-7864-3295-0|location=Jefferson, NC|pages=17}}</ref> The series plunged to 94th in the ratings. Even before the third-season finale's airing, rumors began circulating that ''8 Simple Rules'' was facing cancellation because of Ritter's death and poor ratings. The Friday night "death slot" ratings took their toll on ''8 Simple Rules''. The third-season finale was not aired for May [[sweeps]]. The finale received a 3.9/8 rating share, which gave ABC a third-place finish behind [[NBC]]'s ''[[Dateline NBC|Dateline]]'' (5.8/11) and [[CBS]]'s ''[[Joan of Arcadia]]'' (4.9/10), which starred Ritter's son, [[Jason Ritter|Jason]]. ABC officially cancelled ''8 Simple Rules'' in May 2005.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/8-simple-rules-for-dating-my-teenage-daughter-last-episode/|title=8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter last episode|date=August 2, 2009}}</ref>

== Syndication ==
While the ratings for ''8 Simple Rules'' were well above those of the surrounding ''TGIF'' shows during the show's third season, ABC canceled it because of a perceived inability to sell [[rerun]]s of the show into [[Television syndication|syndication]]; a fourth season would have given the show [[100 episodes|one hundred episodes]], traditionally considered the minimum number of episodes necessary for a show to successfully enter daily syndication.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002237776|title=Anatomy of a hit: ''George Lopez''|publisher= HollywoodReporter.com|author=Barry Garron|date=March 29, 2006|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|accessdate=August 24, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2003/tv/news/cablers-raise-syndie-stakes-1117892381/|title=Cablers raise syndie stakes|author=John Dempsey|date=September 14, 2003|work=Variety|access-date=August 24, 2008|archive-date=May 23, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090523054221/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117892381.html?categoryid=10&cs=1|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2004/scene/markets-festivals/duo-standing-tall-in-20th-deal-1117907433/|title=Duo 'Standing' tall in 20th deal|author=Michael Schneider|date=July 6, 2004|work=Variety|access-date=August 24, 2008|archive-date=October 15, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081015230051/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117907433.html?categoryid=14&cs=1|url-status=live}}</ref>

On July 11, 2005 (less than two months after ABC officially canceled the show), [[The WB]] network announced that it would air all 76 episodes of ''8 Simple Rules'' from 4–5 p.m. as part of its replacement of [[Kids' WB]] with the [[The CW Daytime|Daytime WB]] block, aimed at a broader audience. The show aired weekdays from January 2, 2006, to September 15, 2006, when it was replaced by ''[[Reba (TV series)|Reba]]'' upon the merger of [[UPN]] and The WB into [[The CW]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=20050711wb01|title=Breaking News - The WB Sets Its 3:00 Pm-5:00 PM Afternoon Block Line-Up for January 2006 Through September 2006 &#124; TheFutonCritic.com|website=www.thefutoncritic.com}}</ref>

On Tuesday, June 12, 2007, the show joined the [[Freeform (TV channel)|ABC Family]] lineup, airing weekdays from 6:00&nbsp;to 7:00&nbsp;p.m. In September 2008, the show began airing from 3:00&nbsp;to 4:00&nbsp;p.m., continuing at that time until October 10, 2008. On October 3, 2009, ''8 Simple Rules'' returned to ABC Family, having been absent for a year, airing on Saturdays from 10:00&nbsp;to 11:00&nbsp;a.m., and Sundays from 11:00&nbsp;a.m. to 12:00&nbsp;p.m.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://blog.sitcomsonline.com/2009/09/abc-family-october-2009-has-8-simple.html|title=ABC Family October 2009 Has 8 Simple Rules Returning; Big Three To Air Obama Address on Wednesday}}</ref> Airings have been sporadic because of the channel's unpredictable movie schedule and holiday programming block. On February 8, 2010, the series was added back to ABC Family's weekday lineup, airing from 6:00 to 7:00&nbsp;p.m. [[Eastern Time Zone|Eastern Time]], replacing ''[[The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air]]''. After a few more months of absence, ''8 Simple Rules'' resumed on ABC Family at 7:00&nbsp;p.m. ET on select weekend mornings, beginning on July 18, 2010. In mid-December 2012, ''8 Simple Rules''  was removed from ABC Family's weekday lineup, only to be added back in September 2013. The series was removed from the network's lineup once again in 2014.

In the United Kingdom, the show began airing on the [[Disney Channel (British and Irish TV channel)|Disney Channel]] in 2003, with the episodes edited for a children's audience.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.disney.co.uk/disneychannel/showinfo/programmes/eight_rules| title=8 Simple Rules... for dating my teenage daughter| publisher=disney.co.uk| access-date=August 22, 2011| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315090041/http://www.disney.co.uk/DisneyChannel/showinfo/programmes/eight_rules/| archive-date=March 15, 2012| df=mdy-all}}</ref> It was picked up by [[ABC1 (British and Irish TV channel)|ABC1]], which aired it until the channel's closure in 2007. The same year, [[Channel 5 (British TV channel)|Channel 5]] began airing Season 1 of the series. From 2008, all three seasons of the show were aired on [[5Star|5*]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://the8rules.co.uk/story/337/Fiver-to-air-8-Simple-Rules| title=Fiver to air 8 Simple Rules| publisher=the8rules.co.uk| date=April 21, 2008| access-date=August 22, 2011}}</ref> The series was aired uncut on subsequent channels following its cancellation by Disney Channel. Both Channel 5 and 5* aired the series in its original widescreen format. In 2017, [[Comedy Central (British TV channel)|Comedy Central]] obtained the rights to the show and started airing it on June 12, 2017.

In Denmark, "8 Simple Rules" aired on [[TV3 (Denmark)|TV3]].

In Canada, the show aired on [[YTV (TV channel)|YTV]] and [[ABC Spark]] (the Canadian version of [[Freeform (TV channel)|Freeform]]).

In the Republic of Ireland, "8 Simple Rules" aired on [[RTÉ Two]]. Later, rights to the show were acquired by [[TG4]], which aired the series weeknights at 5:35&nbsp;p.m. The series was shown on both channels uncut, despite the early time of day, but the show was issued an age rating. On RTÉ Two, it was issued a "[[RTÉ programme classifications#PS: Perental supervision|PS]]" rating and, on TG4, a "12" rating.

In Israel, the show aired on satellite provider [[yes (Israel)|yes]], using its shortened title ''8 Simple Rules'' in [[Hebrew]] ("8 כללים פשוטים").

==Home media==
On August 7, 2007, [[Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment]] released Season 1 of ''8 Simple Rules'' on DVD in [[DVD region code|Region 1]]. Season 1 was released in the UK on September 1, 2008.<ref>[https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001DJF1C4 Listing] at Amazon.uk</ref>

In August 2008, [[Lionsgate Home Entertainment]] announced that it had acquired the rights to the series from [[Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment|ABC Studios]]. Lionsgate subsequently released Season 2 on DVD in Region 1 on May 19, 2009.<ref>[http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/8-Simple-Rules-Dating-Teenage-Daughter-Season-2-Box-Art/11385 Season 2 on DVD] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090228052555/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/8-Simple-Rules-Dating-Teenage-Daughter-Season-2-Box-Art/11385 |date=February 28, 2009 }} at TV Shows on DVD</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
!DVD Name!!Ep #!!Region 1!!Region 2!!Region 4
|-
|The Complete First Season || align="center"|28 || align="center"|August 7, 2007 || align="center"|September 1, 2008 || align="center"|November 12, 2008<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.mightyape.co.nz/product/8-Simple-Rules-Complete-Season-1-3-Disc-Set/2634002/ | title = 8 Simple Rules – Complete Season 1 (3 Disc Set) | publisher = Mighty Ape}}</ref>
|-
|The Complete Second Season || align="center"|24 || align="center"|May 19, 2009 || align="center"|TBA || align="center"|TBA
|-
|The Complete Third Season || align="center"|24 || align="center"|TBA || align="center"|TBA || align="center"|TBA
|}
The first 2 seasons of the series were released on [[Disney+]] on May 20, 2022. For reasons unknown, season 3 is absent from the service.

==Reception==
===Critical reception===
On review aggregation website [[Rotten Tomatoes]], the first season reports a 57% approval rating, based on 21 reviews.<ref>{{cite web| title= 8 SIMPLE RULES: SEASON 1 (2002 - 2003)| url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/8_simple_rules/s01| website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]| access-date=April 13, 2022}}</ref> In a review for ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'', Michael Speier deemed the series unoriginal, but did praise the cast performances, especially John Ritter. Critical of the show's humor, he did go on to comment, "nothing even remotely deep here, but ''Rules'' isn't as silly as some of its plotlines suggest. Going for the mass appeal, bow's reach goes a little too far, trying to appease every single potential audience member off the bat with standard-fare jokes about clothing, dating and busy spouses. It would really be something if execs went for the slowburn once in a while, letting some of these shows breathe before jamming punchlines down viewers' throats."<ref>{{cite web| last=Speier| first=Michael| title=8 Simple Rules For Dating My Teenage Daughter| url=https://variety.com/2002/tv/reviews/8-simple-rules-for-dating-my-teenage-daughter-2-1200546264/| website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]| date=September 12, 2002| access-date=April 13, 2022}}</ref>

The second season reports a 60% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 5 reviews.<ref>{{cite web| title= 8 SIMPLE RULES: SEASON 2 (2003 - 2004)| url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/8_simple_rules/s02| website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]| access-date=April 13, 2022}}</ref>

===U.S. television ratings===
{{Television season ratings
| hide_18_49_rating = y
| hide_18_49_rank   = y

| link1             = 8 Simple Rules (season 1)
| timeslot1         = Tuesday 8:00 pm
| timeslot_length1 = 2
| episodes1         = 28
| start1            = {{Start date|2002|9|17}}
| startrating1      = 17.29
| end1              = {{End date|2003|5|20}}
| endrating1        = 7.88
| season1           = 2002–03
| rank1             = 46
| viewers1          = 10.9<ref>{{cite web| title=Nielsen's TOP 156 Shows for 2002-03| url=https://groups.google.com/g/rec.arts.tv/c/7oLAZAvK6wY#82c78e0fe7710443| website=groups.google.com| date=May 20, 2003| access-date=April 13, 2022}}</ref>

| link2             = List of 8 Simple Rules episodes#Season 2 (2003–04)
| episodes2         = 24
| start2            = {{Start date|2003|9|23}}
| startrating2      = 16.97
| end2              = {{End date|2004|5|18}}
| endrating2        = 7.54
| season2           = 2003–04
| rank2             = 50
| viewers2          = 10.0<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abcmedianet.com/Web/progcal/dispDNR.aspx?id=060204_11 |title=ABC Television Network|date=June 2, 2004|access-date=April 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930155240/http://www.abcmedianet.com/Web/progcal/dispDNR.aspx?id=060204_11|archive-date=September 30, 2007}}</ref>

| link3             = List of 8 Simple Rules episodes#Season 3 (2004–05)
| timeslot3         = Friday 8:00 pm
| episodes3         = 24
| start3            = {{Start date|2004|9|24}}
| startrating3      = 6.11
| end3              = {{End date|2005|4|15}}
| endrating3        = 5.26
| season3           = 2004–05
| rank3             = 90
| viewers3          = 6.8<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000937471 |title=Primetime series|date=May 27, 2005|access-date=April 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070519102605/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000937471|archive-date=May 19, 2007}}</ref>
}}

===Accolades===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 99%;"
|-
! scope="col"| Year
! scope="col"| Award
! scope="col"| Category
! scope="col"| Recipient
! scope="col"| Result
! scope="col" class="unsortable"| {{Abbr|Ref(s)|Reference(s)}}
|-
| rowspan="12" | 2003
| [[Art Directors Guild|Art Directors Guild Awards]]
| Multi–Camera Television Series
| Jay Pelissier {{small|(episode: "All I Want for Christmas")}}
| {{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web| title=Winners & Nominees| url=https://adg.org/awards/adg/winners/2003/| website=adg.org| access-date=March 1, 2022}}</ref>
|-
| ASCAP Film & TV Awards
| Top TV Series
| Dan Foliart
| {{won}}
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name="Awards">{{cite web| title=8 Simple Rules Site Awards| url=https://the8rules.co.uk/awards/| website=the8rules.co.uk| access-date=March 1, 2022}}</ref>
|-
| [[British Academy Children's Awards]]
| [[British Academy Children's Award for International|Best International]]
| ''8 Simple Rules''
| {{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web| title=Children's in 2003| url=http://awards.bafta.org/award/2003/childrens| website=awards.bafta.org| access-date=March 1, 2022}}</ref>
|-
| [[Casting Society of America#Artios Awards|Artios Awards]]
| Outstanding Achievement in<br />Comedy Pilot Casting
| Lori Openden
| {{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web| title=2003 Artios Awards| url=https://www.castingsociety.com/awards/artios/2003| website=castingsociety.com| access-date=March 1, 2022}}</ref>
|-
| [[Genesis Awards]]
| Best TV Comedy Series
| "8 Simple Rules" {{small|(episode: "Goodbye")}}
| {{won}}
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name="Awards" />
|-
| [[People's Choice Awards]]
| Favorite Television New Comedy Series 
| ''8 Simple Rules''
| {{won}}
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name="Awards" />
|-
| rowspan="4"|[[Teen Choice Awards]]
| [[Teen Choice Award for Choice Comedy Series|Choice TV Comedy]]
| ''8 Simple Rules''
| {{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name="Awards" />
|-
| [[Teen Choice Award for Choice TV Actress Comedy|Choice TV Actress: Comedy]]
| Kaley Cuoco
| {{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name="Awards" />
|-
| [[Teen Choice Award for Choice Breakout TV Show|Choice Breakout TV Show]]
| ''8 Simple Rules''
| {{won}}
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name="Teen03">{{cite web| title=2003 Teen Choice Winners Announced| url=https://www.hollywood.com/general/2003-teen-choice-winners-announced-57209288| website=[[Hollywood.com]]| date=June 7, 2014| access-date=March 1, 2022}}</ref>
|-
| [[2003 Teen Choice Awards|Choice Breakout TV Actress]]
| Kaley Cuoco 
| {{won}}
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name="Teen03" />
|-
| rowspan="2"|[[Young Artist Award]]
| [[24th Young Artist Awards|Best Performance in a TV Series<br/ >(Comedy or Drama) - Leading Young Actress]]
| Kaley Cuoco
| {{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name="Awards" />
|-
| [[24th Young Artist Awards|Best Performance in A TV Series<br />(Comedy or Drama) - Leading Young Actor]]
| Martin Spanjers
| {{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name="Awards" />
|-
| rowspan="8"|2004
| [[British Academy Children's Awards]]
| [[British Academy Children's Award for International|Best International]]
| ''8 Simple Rules''
| {{won}}
| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://awards.bafta.org/award/2004/childrens|title=Children's in 2004|website=[[British Academy of Film and Television Arts]]|accessdate=19 February 2023}}</ref>
|-
| [[Directors Guild of America Awards]]
| [[Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directing – Comedy Series|Outstanding Directing – Comedy Series]]
| James Widdoes {{small|(episode: "Goodbye")}}
| {{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name="Awards" /> 
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[Primetime Emmy Awards]]
| [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Cinematography for a Multi-Camera Series|Cinematography for a Multi-Camera Series]]
| Bruce L. Finn {{small|(episode: "Goodbye”)}}
| {{won}}
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name="Emmys">{{Cite web|url=https://www.emmys.com/shows/8-simple-rules|title=8 Simple Rules|website=Television Academy}}</ref>
|-
| [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series|Lead Actor in a Comedy Series]]
| [[John Ritter]] {{small|(posthumously)}}
| {{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name="Emmys" />
|-
| [[Teen Choice Awards]]
| [[Teen Choice Award for Choice TV Actress Comedy|Choice TV Actress: Comedy]]
| Kaley Cuoco
| {{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name="Awards" />
|-
| rowspan="3"|[[Young Artist Award]]
| [[25th Young Artist Awards|Best Young Adult Performer in a Teenage Role]]
| Kaley Cuoco
| {{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name="Awards" />
|-
| [[25th Young Artist Awards|Best Performance in a TV Series - Recurring Young Actress]]
| Kaitlin Callum
| {{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name="Awards" />
|-
| [[25th Young Artist Awards|Best Performance in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama) - Leading Young Actor]]
| Martin Spanjers
| {{won}}
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name="Awards" />
|-
| rowspan="3"|2005
| [[Genesis Awards]]
| [[Sid Caesar]] Comedy Award 
| Episode – "Finale: Part Deux"
| {{won}}
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web| title=Genesis Awards (2005)| url=https://m.imdb.com/event/ev0000274/2005/1/| website=[[Internet Movie Database|imdb.com]]| access-date=March 1, 2022}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2"|Prism Awards
| Performance in a Comedy Series
| Katey Sagal
| {{won}}
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web| title=Awards & Nominations| url=https://katey-sagal.com/awards-list/| website=katey-sagal.com| access-date=March 1, 2022}}</ref>
|-
| TV Comedy Episode
| Episode: "Consequences"
| {{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web| last=Morfoot| first=Addie| title=EIC names 9th annual Prism noms| url=https://variety.com/2005/film/awards/eic-names-9th-annual-prism-noms-1117919210/ | website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]| date=March 10, 2005| access-date=March 1, 2022}}</ref>
|}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
* {{IMDb title|0312081}}
* {{epguides|8SimpleRules}}
* An [https://web.archive.org/web/20090626075434/http://www.brucecameron.com/columns/8rules.htm online (archived) version of Bruce Cameron's article] presenting the premise of the 8 Simple Rules
* [http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8844857220560459276&q=%22James+Garner%22+%22Charlie+Rose%22&total=4&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0 James Garner Interview on the ''Charlie Rose Show''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080103073849/http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8844857220560459276&q=%22James+Garner%22+%22Charlie+Rose%22&total=4&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0 |date=January 3, 2008 }}
* [http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=%22archive+of+american+television+interview+with+james+garner%22 James Garner interview] at [[Archive of American Television]]
* Camacho, Melissa. [http://www.commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/8-simple-rules "8 Simple Rules"]. [[Common Sense Media]]. Retrieved October 4, 2012.

{{TGIF (ABC)}}
{{Teen Choice Award for Choice Breakout Series}}
{{People's Choice Award for Favorite New TV Comedy}}

[[Category:8 Simple Rules| ]]
[[Category:2002 American television series debuts]]
[[Category:2005 American television series endings]]
[[Category:2000s American teen sitcoms]]
[[Category:American English-language television shows]]
[[Category:Television series about families]]
[[Category:American television series about teenagers]]
[[Category:Television series about widowhood]]
[[Category:Television series by ABC Studios]]
[[Category:Television series by Disney–ABC Domestic Television]]
[[Category:Television shows set in Detroit]]
[[Category:TGIF (TV programming block)]]
[[Category:American Broadcasting Company sitcoms]]