8 simple rules is my favorite show although I have seen every episode and watch the reruns daily I never get tired of it. The humor is great and it's so entertaining. WATCH THIS SHOW!
8 Simple Rules
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Some sadness amid family sitcom's many smiles.
Why We Rated This
for Ages 13 and Up
The good stuff
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of 8 Simple Rules was written by Melissa Camacho
Parents need to know that despite a bit of iffy language ("damn," "ass") and some fairly light sexual innuendo, this sitcom offers a positive representation of family, teens, and parental guidance. The first season focuses on a father who becomes more involved with his teenagers' lives after his wife goes back to work; in later episodes, coping with the sudden death of a parent and living/coping with extended family become central themes of the show.
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about how families cope with change. What happens when one parent goes back to work after being at home full-time? What changes when a family member, like a grandparent, moves in? How does a family survive the death of a parent? Families can also talk about how death can impact a TV show. How can a popular series reinvent itself after one of its main characters suddenly leaves the show? What other shows have been affected by that type of situation?
More on 8 Simple Rules
What’s the Story?
In the first season of 8 SIMPLE RULES, viewers are introduced to Paul (John Ritter) and Cate Hennessey (Katey Sagal), a Michigan couple raising teenagers Bridget (Kaley Cuoco), Kerry (Amy Davidson), and Rory (Martin Spanjers). When Cate returns to her full-time nursing career, Paul puts his sports writing career on hold to be more involved with his kids, but he finds being a hands-on dad overwhelming, especially when his daughters start dating. He manages his stress by publishing an advice column for parents who are struggling with similar challenges. And -- much to his daughters' embarrassment -- he begins imposing rules borrowed from the resulting book, 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter, on the young men brave enough to go out with his girls. The second season focuses more on the family's struggles to cope after Paul's sudden death (a plot twist precipitated by Ritter's unexpected death at the beginning of the show's second season).
Is It Any Good?
The Hennesseys' lives are full of humorous, heart-warming moments as Paul and Cate help their kids (and each other) survive the journey through puberty. But when Paul suddenly passes away, Cate is faced with the challenge of raising the kids alone. Her father, Jim (James Garner), moves in to help them cope with the loss -- and to get farther from his estranged wife. Also joining them is Cate's nephew C.J. (David Spade), whose unruly but loving personality helps the family keep its sense of humor.
While 8 Simple Rules sometimes relies on clichéd comedy devices -- such as Bridget's ditzy dumb blonde persona -- this award-winning sitcom offers a positive representation of family, teens, and strong parental guidance. It's also a heart-warming and optimistic reminder of how, in times of difficult or even traumatic change, family can provide us with the strength to keep going.
Our Members Say
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
Fantastic Show
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
Good Show
Eight simple rules is a good show, that's funny,entertaining and cute.
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
cute show!
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I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it
GREAT SHOW
A great show! It is my personal favorite show at the moment, but since i have seen all the episodes, im starting to get into a show called Gilmore Girls. The sex is iffy, beacause in the second season kerry does it for her first time (shows nothing). Very few bad words. A great show for the whole family (over 11)!!!

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