I don't get why it was abruptly cancelled after 3 seasons, I wanted to see it end properly. Since it was cancelled, I haven't seen or heard anything about Kaley:(

I didn't watch the show myself, but I imagine that John Ritter's death was a factor. The show did run two seasons without him, so it would appear that the fans watched for at least a season. Ritter did play the lead character, so I imagine his passing was devastating both on-screen and off and changed the dynamic of the show.

Like I said, I really didn't watch this show, so I'm just speculating here. I'm sure someone who actually watched the show could shed more light on this...;)

In my opinion the show changed focus from the immediate family to David Spade's character and that's when I started to miss episodes. Also the show moved to Friday which was a bad night.


Kaley can be seen on the WB hit series Charmed. She's been on there all season.

In my opinion, the show was cancelled because it wasn't as good as when John was on it. Once he was gone the show was never the same. It is a shame they ended it they way they did. They could have picked a better way to end the series. Yeah, you can find Kaley on Charmed. She has been on it for quite a while now.

The show was canceled because ABC is a bunch of morons. Look, the show was not as good without John, but it was still better than most of the ABC sitcoms. Of course, they had to bring back all those great shows like Rodney, Jake In Progress and Less Than Perfect over it. They also had to make room for all those great new sitcoms this season like Hot Properties, Emily's Reason Why Not, Crumbs and Sons & Daughters. Almost all of these were brought in over 8SR, and almost all will be canceled in May.:mad:

The show was canceled because ABC is a bunch of morons. Look, the show was not as good without John, but it was still better than most of the ABC sitcoms. Of course, they had to bring back all those great shows like Rodney, Jake In Progress and Less Than Perfect over it. They also had to make room for all those great new sitcoms this season like Hot Properties, Emily's Reason Why Not, Crumbs and Sons & Daughters. Almost all of these were brought in over 8SR, and almost all will be canceled in May.:mad:

Emily's Reasons Why Not got pulled after airing only one episode, so they've already begun the bloodletting. How do they expect shows to find an audience if they get cancelled after only a few airings or - in the case of Emily - one??:confused: :confused:

The thing about Emily's Reasons Why Not is that ABC didn't like how the show was going. That is the real reason why it was pulled I think. Sure, the ratings were not too good, but it wasn't terrible either.

I think ABC should have brought back 8 Simple Rules, too. Rodney was a mistake to bring back because I doubt it will be back next season. The problem with 8 Simple Rules was that it needed one more season for syndication and they had no idea how to promote the show for it--John Ritter or David Spade? It would have been confusing to see a John Ritter episode air as a primary episode then some stations would air a second episode with David Spade right after it.
Jake in Progress was probably only brought back because they thought it would go with Emily's. Less than Perfect made sense because it is nearing a syndication deal.

I hope Crumbs comes back next fall. The show is probably ABC's best sitcom since 8 Simple Rules. I think we will see the rest of Crumbs' first 13 episodes this summer, along with Less than Perfect and the remaining Jake in Progress episodes.
Sons & Daughters is good, too, but those type of shows never garner ratings.

The problem with 8 Simple Rules was that it needed one more season for syndication and they had no idea how to promote the show for it--John Ritter or David Spade? It would have been confusing to see a John Ritter episode air as a primary episode then some stations would air a second episode with David Spade right after it.


I know that's the reason, but I don't think it's a good enough reason. So what if they air a John Ritter episode followed by a David Spade episode? Most fans of the show (even non-fans) know that John Ritter died and James Garner and David Spade joined the show afterwards.

When I first watched the post-John Ritter episodes, I thought they were good, but nothing special. However, now in reruns, I love the episodes. I think they're great. And I'm mad that they ended after season three. I was looking forward to see more of Cate and Ed's relationship.

And if the show went on for, say eight seasons, they could have made a deal where they only syndicated the James Garner/David Spade episodes and then air the John Ritter episodes special on cable. Or heck, do a "Saved by the Bell" and have one of the actors introduce the episode like Zack did for the 'Good Morning, Miss Bliss' episodes.

If they knew sydication would be such a problem, why'd they even make seasons two and three? (Although I'm glad they did) Also, ABC should have told the crew in time so they could make a proper finale. And not leave us with a cliff-hanger, even if we can figure out what would happen.

Is that why "Ellen" was never syndicated? Because of all the cast changes in the show? (not trying to change the subject)

Friday night was also a bad night for them to show it. Not only did John's death affect it, but Friday is a very busy night. When they changed it, I couldn't watch it anymore anyway. I'm in the marching band so I never saw it after they started putting it on Friday's.

But, I have seen the last episode (I think) and they should have atleast cancelled it with some kind of plot. Not like as if the cast just said, "Oh, okay, it's over." I mean, the last episode should have been something special. I mean, the family and the cast for that matter went through alot and it was POOF gone!

I agree with everyone!

They couldn't even make a proper final episode because they thought they were coming back. ABC made a huge mistake! They cast and cre of 8SR were also very surprised Less Than Perfect got picked up (Although it hasn't even aired all year).

I would have even been happy if the last episode was Bridget's Graduation. They talked about it so much throughout the series, and we didn't even see it happen.

I would have even been happy if the last episode was Bridget's Graduation. They talked about it so much throughout the series, and we didn't even see it happen.
I agree with you. That would have been a good way to end the series. They talk about Bridget graduating throughout the whole series, and they should have had that episode in there somewhere.

I think the reason why 8SR was cancelled was because ABC was stupid and didn't realize that fans still found the show great with or without John...They left the show too wide open that a lot of things could have come out of it. Since 8SR left, I found no interest in TV.

i watched the show when it first came on and after john's death. the reason i eventually stopped watching it was because the plot stopped focusing on one or two characters - they were all doing their own separate thing; there was never a main story about someone. that completely turned me off.

I don't think the cancelation had much to do with John Ritter's death. ABC didn't seem to care. They just wanted to milk the money on "the final episodes" and that 2 hour John Ritter special they ared. They only cared about the money really. The second season ratings started really high because everyone tuned in for the final episodes of John Ritter.. but then the ratings slowly began to decline but were still respectable for the rest of the season- especially considering they were up against American Idol.

Then stupid ABC made the stupid mistake of moving it to Friday nights where the ratings took a huge dive. Ratings was really the reason that ABC canceled it. I'm not so mad that it was canceled (86 episodes or whatever is a very good run) I'm more angry that ABC probably knew full well that they weren't picking it up but still didn't announce it until it was too late. It would have been nice to have a real series finale, maybe something that had to do with their father or Bridgets graduation as someone said. Not some stupid cliffhanger about Principal Gibb, who I never even liked anyway.

I tried to watch the show after John Ritter's death but it just wasn't the same, so I lost interest and stopped watching.

I tried to watch the show after John Ritter's death but it just wasn't the same, so I lost interest and stopped watching.

That has always been my biggest regret about 8SR. I just wish people would have been more patient, and gave the show a chance after John's death. The show was very different, and admittedly better with John, but it still was a very good show after him. The show changed and needed some time to develop, and by the end of the second season and during the third season the show had refound itself and once again was a very good show. However, too many people just gave up on it, and refused to watch it after John died. It is really a shame, because it was still such a good show. In fact, better than a lot of the sitcoms on TV presently.

That has always been my biggest regret about 8SR. I just wish people would have been more patient, and gave the show a chance after John's death. The show was very different, and admittedly better with John, but it still was a very good show after him. The show changed and needed some time to develop, and by the end of the second season and during the third season the show had refound itself and once again was a very good show. However, too many people just gave up on it, and refused to watch it after John died. It is really a shame, because it was still such a good show. In fact, better than a lot of the sitcoms on TV presently.

You are probably right. The fact is with me I have had so many good shows cancelled on me i.e. American Dreams for one that I have gotten fed up with TV. :)

I didn't like it after John's death he was one of the main characters

Why do say you need 4 seasons for syndication? It is already being syndicated on local tv.

And how did the series end with a cliffhanger?? What's this between Ed and Cate?

I only watched a few episodes so I don't quite know who is who. Could someone please list who is who? Real names too. Thanks

Yeah but we don't know if the network there will continue it. The way 8SR ended was that Ed was offered a job and he wasn't sure if he was going to take it, because he'd be leaving Cate to go to New York.

I think they just ended it because it wasn't as good after John Ritter died. The people watching it and the ratings went down and they probably thought it was going to get worse. It's to bad they couldn't have a good finale.

That has always been my biggest regret about 8SR. I just wish people would have been more patient, and gave the show a chance after John's death. The show was very different, and admittedly better with John, but it still was a very good show after him. The show changed and needed some time to develop, and by the end of the second season and during the third season the show had refound itself and once again was a very good show. However, too many people just gave up on it, and refused to watch it after John died. It is really a shame, because it was still such a good show. In fact, better than a lot of the sitcoms on TV presently.

I agree with you 100%. I thought Katey's and Kaley's characters became more developed, and they shined in the 3rd season.

One thing I must add is that I would have preferred David Spade to be literally a supporting character, so it wouldn't seem like he was John Ritter's "replacement". I didn't expect CJ to be as big of a character as he turned out to be.

and i think john ritters death really set in ,because the whole point of the original idea of this show was lost.i applaud the cast for really trying to make the show work but lets face it john ritter is irreplaceable.

I also think they didn't really see a future for the series, and just gave up hope. I'm just pissed that they renewed Less Than Perfect for 13 episodes, probably knowing they were gonna save it for after May sweeps, then cancel it. They should have renewed 8SR for 13 episodes, so they could have wrapped everything up. UGH. ABC sucks.

the show is on family channel in canada and the wb channel 167 new york abc suck it like mr macmahons

I also think they didn't really see a future for the series, and just gave up hope. I'm just pissed that they renewed Less Than Perfect for 13 episodes, probably knowing they were gonna save it for after May sweeps, then cancel it. They should have renewed 8SR for 13 episodes, so they could have wrapped everything up. UGH. ABC sucks.

It would defiently had been a good idea for ABC to at least renew 8 Simple Rules for 13 episodes, 8SR would have given ABC strength in the sitcom department, especially since ABC struggled in the sitcom category this season. I wish they would of done that.. it would of been great

the original idea was lost i mean the original title was 8 simple rules for daiting my teenage daughter.john's death was too much for any sitcom to recover from.

It would defiently had been a good idea for ABC to at least renew 8 Simple Rules for 13 episodes, 8SR would have given ABC strength in the sitcom department, especially since ABC struggled in the sitcom category this season. I wish they would of done that.. it would of been great

8SR was their best Sitcom in the last few years, IMO. BEST! Even after John died, it was still better than 90% of Sitcoms on TV today.

the original idea was lost i mean the original title was 8 simple rules for daiting my teenage daughter.john's death was too much for any sitcom to recover from.

That's why they changed the name to just "8 Simple Rules". Of course we don't know exactly what that means anymore but who cares since they should have renewed the series at least one more year!

I don't think they ended it because John died. I think that sitcoms were becoming too expensive and they decided to let 8SR of all sitcoms go. I boycott abc a lot now because of how those asses let 8SR end. The ending made for great fanfiction stories, seeing that there was the cliffhanger in Cate and Ed's budding romance.

I have to say that I wish the 8 Simple Rules was still on The Air

the show had terrible ratings by it's last season.

how low was 8 Simple Rules Ratings

I wish "8 Simple Rules" had stayed on the air for just a little bit longer.

how low was 8 Simple Rules Ratings

The ratings were not amazing, but according to this source, the main reason for it's cancellation were not low ratings. It achieved higher ratings than the other TGIF sitcoms.

While 8 Simple Rules ratings were well above those of the surrounding TGIF shows during its third season, ABC cancelled it due to the inability to sell it to syndication. Due to John Ritter's death, 8 Simple Rules could not air two daily cycles (with episodes from varying seasons) as it is thought that this would confuse and/or upset viewers, although, on UK TV channel ABC1, this does occur.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/8_Simple_Rules

Eventually 8 Simple Rules did get a syndication deal, though.

I'm afraid after John Ritter's sudden and unexpected passing, the show really began to lose viewers and that was the main reason the show was eventually cancelled... :(

I agree whenever a good show is on ABC they seem to ruin it by changing the day and time it is shown. Or take it off completely. 8 Simple Rules is not the only show that ABC has done that to. Unless, there something good on ABC I don't watch that channel too often.

ABC was so stupid to cancel it...most sitcoms after it got cancelled failed miserably.

I agree whenever a good show is on ABC they seem to ruin it by changing the day and time it is shown. Or take it off completely.

You must be thinking of FOX.

I wonder if 8 Simple Rules will ever be showed in Reruns again

The show just wasn't the same after John Ritter's death. Kaley Cuoco has been on shows though. She was just on Prison Break.

Katey's been on shows too. We at my boards are hoping she'll get a show eventually.

The first season averaged around 17 million viewers, which was absolutely amazing. The second season episodes with John Ritter also were 17 million, and the 2 part episode about his death was 20 million I believe, and then after that, the rest of season 2 was only around 11 million, which was a major decrease. The third season was only averaging 7 million viewers, so if it was renewed for a 4th season, the ratings probably would have kept going down. But, as everyone here agrees, the show was nothing with John. I'm just surprised the WB wasn't interested in picking it up.

The first season averaged around 17 million viewers, which was absolutely amazing. The second season episodes with John Ritter also were 17 million, and the 2 part episode about his death was 20 million I believe, and then after that, the rest of season 2 was only around 11 million, which was a major decrease. The third season was only averaging 7 million viewers, so if it was renewed for a 4th season, the ratings probably would have kept going down. But, as everyone here agrees, the show was nothing with John. I'm just surprised the WB wasn't interested in picking it up.
I don't remember exactly, but I do think The WB`s name was thrown around a little bit, when ABC axed the show. It was thrown around online anyway. That I do remember.

The WB had a pretty full schedule back then, but the main reason they didn't pick the show up might have been about money. They probably wanted A LOT of money to sell 8SR to the network....Not only because I loved the show, but if I was the head of The WB network back then, I would have payed whatever they wanted, to get a show that had 7 million viewers. That's higher than any show they had, probably ever!....And it would have fit in really well with Reba and What I Like About You. They could have made themselves a successful sitcom block....And the 3 kids would have been bigger stars. The youth oriented WB would have pushed their faces in all their promos, marketing campaigns, commercials, posters, etc. They would have developed a new fanbase if the show switched networks.

I don't remember exactly, but I do think The WB`s name was thrown around a little bit, when ABC axed the show. It was thrown around online anyway. That I do remember.

The WB had a pretty full schedule back then, but the main reason they didn't pick the show up might have been about money. They probably wanted A LOT of money to sell 8SR to the network....Not only because I loved the show, but if I was the head of The WB network back then, I would have payed whatever they wanted, to get a show that had 7 million viewers. That's higher than any show they had, probably ever!....And it would have fit in really well with Reba and What I Like About You. They could have made themselves a successful sitcom block....And the 3 kids would have been bigger stars. The youth oriented WB would have pushed their faces in all their promos, marketing campaigns, commercials, posters, etc. They would have developed a new fanbase if the show switched networks.

Everything you said is almost exactly what would have happened. The only problem is, just a couple years later, WB would have turned into the CW, which could have stirred things up for the show. But, overall, 8 Simple Rules definitely deserved a much longer run than it got, with or without John Ritter.

That's the thing, I heard about WB being interested as well and had my fingers crossed. I think if the show would've been in break this season, it would've returned. I found out that ABC is bringing back Knights of Prosperity this fall, did anyone here even see an episode of that? I thought it was crap, to be honest.

It would be nice, if ABC (or even ABC Family for that matter) could have a 2 hour reunion where they would answer the questions from the final episode. I'm sure ABC got a lot of email and complaints about this... can you blame the fans? I was rather upset when I heard the series was ending, and they were not giving it a correct send-off. I just wish there was a network out there who would stand up for some of these great shows that get the axe too early, and save them from an early ending. I know if I had the money and the manpower... I'd do it myself. :)

That's the thing, I heard about WB being interested as well and had my fingers crossed. I think if the show would've been in break this season, it would've returned. I found out that ABC is bringing back Knights of Prosperity this fall, did anyone here even see an episode of that? I thought it was crap, to be honest.

It would be nice, if ABC (or even ABC Family for that matter) could have a 2 hour reunion where they would answer the questions from the final episode. I'm sure ABC got a lot of email and complaints about this... can you blame the fans? I was rather upset when I heard the series was ending, and they were not giving it a correct send-off. I just wish there was a network out there who would stand up for some of these great shows that get the axe too early, and save them from an early ending. I know if I had the money and the manpower... I'd do it myself. :)

I thought Knight's of Prosperity was just coming back in August to air the rest of it's unaired episodes? I don't think it's returning for a second season, since it was getting below 3 million viewers at one point.

But you can't compare 8SR to KoP. They are totally different shows. But, I do wish they'd do a reunion special or episode or something, ust to hold us fans down. The series just went off the year in 2005, so I wouldn't expect anything for awhile yet.