8 Simple Rules

8 Simple Rules was a sitcom that premiered on ABC in 2002 under the name 8 Simple Rules... for Dating My Teenage Daughter. Inspired by the book of the same name, the show followed the life of a suburban Michigan family, specifically an overprotective father (played by John Ritter) who has to deal with the fact that his two daughters have reached adolescence and are venturing into the dating scene.

Tragedy struck the show when, in September of 2003, Ritter died unexpectedly of a previously undetected heart condition. The show resumed without him and included the death of the father character in the plot. However, falling ratings caused 8 Simple Rules to be canceled in 2005.¹

Fast Facts

1. Network: ABC
2. Current season: Canceled
3. First aired: September 17, 2002
4. Starring: John Ritter, Katey Sagal, Kaley Cuoco, Amy Davidson, Martin Spanjers, James Garner and David Spade
5. Amy Davidson is older than Kaley Cuoco, even though Kaley played the eldest child
6. John Ritter passed away in 2003

The 8 Rules

1. Use your hands on my daughter and you'll lose them after.²
2. You make her cry, I make you cry.²
3. Safe sex is a myth. Anything you try will be hazardous to your health.²
4. Bring her home late, there's no next date.²
5. Only delivery men honk. Dates ring the doorbell. Once.²
6. No complaining while you're waiting for her. If you're bored, change my oil.²
7. If your pants hang off your hips, I'll gladly secure them with my staple gun.²
8. Dates must be in crowded public places. You want romance? Read a book.²

Related Pages on Mahalo

John Ritter | Jason Ritter | David Spade | Kaley Cuoco | Amy Davidson | Martin Spanjers | James Garner | Katey Sagal | Dan Cortese | Married... With Children | Three's Company | Charmed

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