8 Simple Rules Boned the Fish When...

[TMC]

http://www.bonethefish.com/viewtopics.php?1985

8 Simple Rules is a sitcom that aired on ABC for three TV seasons, from September 2002 to April 2005. Originally with the longer title of "8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter," the show starred John Ritter and Katey Sagal as Paul and Cate Hennessy, parents of two teenage daughters and one son, with Paul returning to the home as Cate returned to the workplace. The first season focused on Paul's struggling with the responsibility of raising teenage daughters and missing his former career as a sportswriter. When John Ritter died in September 2003 at the beginning of the second season, his death was incorporated into the show, dealing with Cate and the children reacting to Paul's death and moving on with their lives. Later in the series, James Garner and David Spade joined the cast, playing Cate's father and nephew, respectively.

[Mr. Television]

I enjoyed how the show Dealt with John's death. It JTS for me when Spade joined the cast. Never been a fan of his.

[Coffeecup]

Boned. I don't know what that means. does it mean, Show got worse??

[TMC]

Originally Posted by Coffeecup

Boned. I don't know what that means. does it mean, Show got worse??

It's basically another way of saying "jumping the shark'' or "nuking the fridge".

[SitcomsOffline]

Technically, wouldn't David Spade joining the cast fall under the category of John Ritter passing away (as they never would have cast Spade had Ritter not passed away)?

Either way, it definitely boned after Season 2.

[TMC]

Originally Posted by SitcomsOffline

Technically, wouldn't David Spade joining the cast fall under the category of John Ritter passing away (as they never would have cast Spade had Ritter not passed away)?

Either way, it definitely boned after Season 2.

Yeah, I think that it's a no brainer that 8 Simple Rules... boned the fish/jumped the shark when John Ritter unexpectedly passed away early into the second season. Had Ritter not died, I really believe that the show might have lasted a longer. With Ritter/Paul gone, the whole premise of the show for all intent and purposes went w/ it. I don't want to be taken the wrong way, but 8 Simple Rules... for a while, could've been called Had Dad Not Died.