Official poster for 8 Simple Rules

Scripted series · ABC

8 Simple Rules

6.8IMDb206 votesWorth your time
Community—0/20 ratingsYour ratingRateSign in to rate
2002 – 20053 seasons · 74 episodesTV-PGEnded
ComedyDrama
View seasons

Who's in it

Cast

The principal ensemble across the run of the series.

John Ritter

John Ritter

Paul Hennessy

31 eps

Katey Sagal

Katey Sagal

Cate Hennessy

74 eps

Kaley Cuoco

Kaley Cuoco

Bridget Hennessy

74 eps

Amy Davidson

Amy Davidson

Kerry Hennessy

74 eps

James Garner

James Garner

Jim Egan

43 eps

Martin Spanjers

Martin Spanjers

Rory Hennessy

74 eps

David Spade

David Spade

C.J. Barnes

38 eps

Dan Cortese

Dan Cortese

Scott

2 eps

Rachael Harris

Rachael Harris

Margaret

1 eps

Nicole Richie

Nicole Richie

Ashley

1 eps

Erik von Detten

Erik von Detten

Erik

1 eps

Rory Thost

Rory Thost

Young C.J.

1 eps

Connie Sawyer

Connie Sawyer

Louise's Mother

1 eps

Shawn Pyfrom

Shawn Pyfrom

Jake

1 eps

Erin Sanders

Erin Sanders

Riley

1 eps

Gabrielle Reece

Gabrielle Reece

Maggie

1 eps

Mary Page Keller

Mary Page Keller

Traci

1 eps

Leighton Meester

Leighton Meester

Nikki

1 eps

Don Knotts

Don Knotts

Ralph Furley

1 eps

Jason Priestley

Jason Priestley

Carter Tibbits

1 eps

Pamela Anderson

Pamela Anderson

Cheryl

2 eps

Suzy Nakamura

Suzy Nakamura

Mrs. Krupp

2 eps

Connie Stevens

Connie Stevens

Tina

2 eps

Nick Carter

Nick Carter

Ben

2 eps

Daniella Monet

Daniella Monet

Missy

4 eps

Sam Horrigan

Sam Horrigan

Pete

3 eps

Mo Gaffney

Mo Gaffney

Mrs. Connelly

2 eps

Paul Wesley

Paul Wesley

Damian

2 eps

Adam Arkin

Adam Arkin

Ed Gibb

10 eps

Kala Savage

Lacey

3 eps

Patrick Warburton

Patrick Warburton

Nick

3 eps

Cybill Shepherd

Cybill Shepherd

Maggie

2 eps

Heather Hogan

Heather Hogan

Heather

3 eps

Wendie Jo Sperber

Wendie Jo Sperber

Rachel

2 eps

Lee Garlington

Lee Garlington

Leslie

2 eps

Brian Sites

Brian Sites

Jason

3 eps

Kaitlin Cullum

Kaitlin Cullum

Beth

2 eps

John Ratzenberger

John Ratzenberger

Fred

4 eps

Kelsey Batelaan

Kelsey Batelaan

Little Bridget

3 eps

Dana Workman

Lynzee

2 eps

The Nutevio profile

TV DNA

How 8 Simple Rules actually feels to watch, measured on the traits our editors track across every series.

Signature profile

8 Simple Rules reads strongest on Character Depth, Humour and Serialized.

Character DepthVery strong7.7

How fully written and psychologically layered the ensemble is.

HumourStrong6.5

How often the series is genuinely funny, by design.

SerializedStrong5.5

How much each hour depends on the one before it.

Emotional WeightPresent5.4

How much the series is designed to affect you.

BingeabilityPresent5.0

How hard it is to stop after one episode.

Cliffhanger IntensityPresent4.0

How often an episode ends on a hook you can't ignore.

TensionPresent4.0

The sustained pressure the series keeps you under.

SpectacleLight3.5

Visual ambition — scale, craft and set-piece filmmaking.

World BuildingLight3.5

The scale, internal logic and texture of the world.

The story

What it's about

Paul and Cate are raising their three children -- Bridget, Kerry and Rory -- which is no easy task. Oldest daughter Bridget is traversing the dating scene. Kerry is cute and smart, but she has a hard time getting in touch with her true feelings because of her lack of self-confidence. The youngest of the three children, and only boy, Rory is beginning to discover one of life's greatest mysteries -- girls.

The run

Seasons

3 seasons · 74 episodes.

  • Official poster for Specials

    Season 0 · Unannounced

    Specials

    1 episode

  • Official poster for Season 1

    Season 1 · Complete

    Season 1

    200228 episodes

    7.0IMDb

    The first season of 8 Simple Rules aired on ABC between September 17, 2002, and May 20, 2003, and consists of 28 episodes. On August 7, 2007, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment released the complete first season on DVD on a 3-disc set.

    Best episode · S01E10 Give It Up

  • Official poster for Season 2

    Season 2 · Complete

    Season 2

    200322 episodes

    6.8IMDb

    Best episode · S02E04 Goodbye

  • Official poster for Season 3

    Season 3 · Complete

    Season 3

    200424 episodes

    7.0IMDb

    Best episode · S03E08 Secrets

Where the series peaks

Best Episodes

The hours that define the show, ranked by audience response and editorial signal.

Still from Sort of an Officer and a Gentleman (1)

S01E27

Sort of an Officer and a Gentleman (1)

7.4IMDb5 votes

Having learned that her sister Maggie is having marital problems, Cate is nevertheless not too thrilled when Paul invites Maggie to stay at the house. Meanwhile, Paul and Cate are impressed with how mature Bridget has become after they agreed to let her go out with neighbor Donny Doyle, who is home from the Naval Academy. Bridget and Kerry wonder if Kyle has ulterior motives when he befriends Rory.

13 May 200322 min
Still from Pilot

S01E01

Pilot

7.2IMDb6 votes

As Cate decides to go back to work as a nurse, Paul undertakes the responsibility of watching the kids.

17 Sept 200222 min
Still from Wall of Shame

S01E02

Wall of Shame

7.0IMDb5 votes

Paul is left home alone with the kids while Cate is at a seminar on the day of the big Michigan/Ohio State football game. But much to Paul's dismay, the game soon takes a backseat when Bridget is accused of shoplifting and Kerry gets upset over her latest cause.

24 Sept 200222 min
Still from Bake Sale

S01E25

Bake Sale

6.8IMDb5 votes

For a health class assignment, Bridget and Kyle have to take care of a sack of flour as if it were a baby. Kerry and Rory bake cookies for the Great American Bake Sale to help put an end to childhood hunger in America.

29 Apr 200322 min
Still from The Teachers Lounge

S03E22

The Teachers Lounge

6.8IMDb5 votes

Officially a full-time teacher, C.J. is overjoyed to finally get access to the teachers' lounge. But he soon finds himself being bullied out of the room by the school's overzealous Home Ec instructor. Rory wants to impress a girl, so Bridget and Kerry take it upon themselves to give him a full-fledged makeover.

1 Apr 200522 min

Recently aired

Latest Episodes

Behind the series

Created by

Showrunners, creators, executive producers and the writers who set the voice of the series.

The craft

Key Crew

Directing, writing, production, camera, music and editing.

Executive production

Writing

Direction

Recognition

Awards

1 win · 3 nominations

Primetime Emmy Awards

No wins yet · 2 nominations

  • NomineePrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Cinematography for a Multi-Camera Series2004

    8 Simple Rules · 8 Simple Rules

  • NomineePrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series2004

    8 Simple Rules · 8 Simple Rules

Directors Guild of America Awards

No wins yet · 1 nomination

  • NomineeDirectors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directing – Comedy Series2003

    8 Simple Rules · 8 Simple Rules

Genesis Award

1 win

  • WinnerGenesis Award

    8 Simple Rules · 8 Simple Rules

Where to watch

Streaming

Availability verified against regional listings.

  • Disney PlusStreaming

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A palate cleanser with real writing behind the jokes.

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