8 Simple Rules The Complete First Season

After gaining fame as ladies man Jack Tripper on the 1970s sitcom Three’s Company, John Ritter steals the show as a father of three–including two nubile teenage girls–on 8 Simple Rules… for Dating My Teenage Daughter. The first season, which aired on ABC during 2002 and 2003, introduces viewers to Paul (Ritter) and Cate Hennessy (Katey Sagal) and their precocious children Bridget (Kaley Cuoco), Kerry (Amy Davidson), and Rory (Martin Spanjers). When former stay-at-home mom Cate returns to the work force as a nurse, it’s up to Paul to write his newspaper column at home on occasion and mind the kids. The first season deals with that uneasy transition. It’s actually refreshing to see a family depicted where the parents don’t always like the kids. Paul often jokes with Cate that he’s mad she ever suggested they start a family. He also notes, “What’s it called if you’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t? Oh yes, fatherhood.”

As for the children, we’ve seen similar stereotypical characters on other sitcoms. Bridget is the 16-year-old blonde bombshell. Kerry is her awkward, brunette younger sister, and Rory is their kid brother who has the creepy habit of hiding in their closets. Paul’s relationship with Rory is even keeled. But it’s his daughters that he is trying to win over. They love him, but they’re also embarrassed and befuddled by him. Just when he thinks he’s bonding with them, the girls will sarcastically point out his faults–such as his being at least 100 years old. As he succinctly points out to his wife, “They live in my house, but they don’t even like me. They’re not kids. They’re cats!” Though the show is big on comic moments, it also is generous in sharing poignant memories. When Paul looks at his girls, he doesn’t see young women that even his friends think of as hotties. Rather, he still views them as innocent toddlers who looked up to and adored him. Sagal, who was so over-the-top in both looks and mannerisms when she played the matriarch on Married with Children, is a wonderful foil for Ritter. Beautiful, smart, and funny, she’s a tough act for him to follow when it comes to being a stay-at-home dad. –Jae-Ha Kim

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars This show really made me miss John Ritter
I admit, I only rented the show because I think Kaley Cuoco (The Big Bang Theory) is hot. But despite her being hot, I am surprised to say that John Ritter was the strength of this show. It’s no wonder that it didn’t last after his death. Having the show continue after his death was risky enough without adding the annoying David Spade.

I didn’t see much in Ritter I admit until I have seen this show years after his death. I now see that he was actually pretty funny. I think the show could have lasted years with him in the lead. He was believable as a stay at home father that still sees his teenagers as little kids. I like how he still calls his overly serious redhead daughter Care Bear. He was full of so much life in this first season, that it’s hard believe that he only died a few months after it. The cast was very good, but without him I can’t see how it even had a second season.

5 Stars 8 Simple Rules–RULES
I have been a fan since its network run. Now that I have it on DVD, I can watch it whenever I want. The laughs never stop coming. John Ritter is a legend; And, he’s supported by an incredible cast including Katey Sagal as his wife, and Caley Cuoco, Amy Davidson, and Martin Spanjers as the kids. All of them were very good at their parts. This show will one day be regarded as a classic. I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys good, family-oriented entertainment.

4 Stars Out takes show the funniest John Ritter
This show would have been much better if they let John Ritter act more like he did in the outtakes (be funnier). He’s too serious. He plays a strict father who constantly worries about his daughters and the boys they date. It’s like the comedian plays he straight man of the family. I like it, but it could have been much better if Ritter could have lightened up. In the later episodes he starts to lighten up and the show is more enjoyable.

5 Stars i love 8 simple rules
it really made me mad when they stopped making 8 simple rules because i love this tv series

4 Stars Love John Ritter!
8 Simple Rules starring John Ritter had a pretty decent first season for this family sitcom. Katey Sagel and Ritter have no chemistry so it’s hard for me to watch them together. Kaley Cuoco would go on to bigger things but she is enjoyable to watch on this show, her character is shallow but has a heart of gold. Amy Davidson is a good actress too, she plays the neglected, sensitive younger daughter. This isn’t one of my favorite shows but it’s fun to watch on a rainy afternoon, love the Three’s Company flashback episode, Ritter still has that physical comedy down to a T. Enjoy!

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