Veteran producers Judd Pillot and John Peaslee ("A Minute With Stan Hooper") have been named showrunner-exec producers on the ABC sitcom "8 Simple Rules."

Pillot and Peaslee replace Tracy Gamble, who opted to leave the show due to personal reasons. Touchstone TV is still in talks with Gamble to keep him on in a consulting producer role.

Gamble, who created "8 Simple Rules," is considered a key force behind the show. As a result, Touchstone and the producers made a strong effort to keep him involved with the laffer.

Pillot and Peaslee sealed a one-year deal, with an option for the next year, to head up "8 Simple Rules." Tom Shadyac, Michael Bostick and director James Widdoes continue to executive produce the show.

Besides "Stan Hooper," Pillot and Peaslee's credits include "Just Shoot Me (which also starred David Spade)," "Some of My Best Friends," "Something So Right," "Coach" and "Anything but Love (which was produced by John Ritter)."

Pillot, Peaslee and Gamble are all repped by UTA.