 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
8 Simple Rules
- ABC Family, Syndicated
- Genre: Comedy
Common Sense Media says
Some sadness amid family sitcom's many smiles.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
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.
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.
What 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?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Good Show
Eight simple rules is a good show, that's funny,entertaining and cute.
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AGE
Good for youths, bad for children and adults wouldnt like it.
This show is great, I have only seen a few episodes, but Its enough to know what it is about. There is a little drama an some bad language that isn't appropriate but nothing major for youths. There is a lot of sex stuff in there, even an episode called sex ed but the sex stuff doesn't go farther then what you would learn in sex ed. Most twelve year olds would have gone through sex ed by now, Or at least would get the jokes. So for youths there really is not anything to worry about. Thats coming from a twelve year old (twelve is considered youth).
You can trust twelve and up with it.
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AGE
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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AGE
Perfect for people in their mid teens, not for pre teens
This is a brilliant show, it deals with teen/adult issues such as sex, so there is alot of references to sex, references to drinking and drugs have also been present. Love It.
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AGE
A nice show, I use to watch it all the time. Entertaining and funny.
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AGE
I cried when the father died.
It comes on ABC Family (so far.)
I love this show!
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AGE
Fantastic Show
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!
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AGE
One of the Best Sitcoms Ever
8 Simple Rules is a sitcom that is definitely aimed at pre-teens and teens, but it is still something that even kids can enjoy. But, the show does focus more on mature topics/issues that affect teenagers such as virginity and partying. Underage drinking is implied, so is sex. There are also many references to sex and sex jokes but most of them aren't obvious and kids probably won't understand them anyways. However, there is an episode in which the mom teaches a sex ed class at school and it many be awkward/inappropriate for some, especially the younger ones. As far as language goes, there are minor swears and insults (jerk, stupid, etc.) so it's nothing too bad.
The show is great because there are morals behind every episode. Not only that but it's just exceptionally funny and the acting is pretty good as well.
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| TV rating: | TV-PG |
| Networks: | ABC Family, Syndicated |
| Cast: | John Ritter, Kaley Cuoco, Katey Sagal |
| Genre: | Comedy |
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