8 Simple Rules

Guide Note

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. Some of the eight rules include: "Use your hands on my daughter and you'll lose them after" and "Only delivery men honk. Dates ring the doorbell. Once."

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 cancelled in 2005.

Fast Facts

1. New Episodes: In Syndication (check local listings)
2. Network: ABC
3. Current Season: Canceled
4. First Aired: September 17, 2002
5. Starring: John Ritter, Katie Sagal, Kaley Cuoco, Amy Davidson, Martin Spanjers, James Garner and David Spade
6. Amy Davidson is older than Kaley Cuoco, even though Kaley played the eldest child
7. John Ritter passed away in 2003