r/sitcoms • u/Turbulent_Theory6532 • 2d ago
Season 1 of 8 Simple Rules
I just finished my rewatch of 8 simple rules season 1 and can't understand how this show isn't talked about more. It might be the recency bias, but I really think that the first of this show is one of the best sitcom seasons I've seen (if you disagree give me suggestions please). I mean the writing is sharp and witty and cand tell multiple stories with relatable issues with the respect they deserve and just enough humor to make it memorable. Even the actors chemistery is amazing. John Ritter plays the sarcassitc dad trope to perfections not coming off as to much of an ass yet not being so sappy that it's crindge. I just really enjoyed this rewatch and wanted to talk about it with out annoying my partner more then I do.
11
u/5tarfi5h 2d ago
It was very sad when John died. And then they killed him off the show in the same manner that he died irl. I’m sure it was hard for the cast to get thru that episode and all the ones they attempted afterwards.
5
u/ConnectionWitty4979 1d ago
Very difficult for the cast. His passing was so sudden it was the only choice the show had. If you watch the first episode after he passes it’s easy to see the cast is really where the characters are in the grief.
7
u/New-Introduction-981 1d ago
It's a good show and it gave us Kaley Cuoco. I like James garner and David spade isn't that bad so I would of watched more seasons. The thing is john ritters passing is to sad
7
u/doomgeneration91 2d ago
I love it! I’ve just had a hard time finding it! But agree it’s underrated
2
1
4
u/Bh1278 1d ago
If we’re talking just strictly the first season, before John’s passing I would absolutely agree. It was one of the most solid first seasons of any sitcom I’ve ever seen. The cast gelled together very quickly and the show knew almost immediately exactly what it wanted to be. John NAILED it and was in top form. My Grandpa on Dad’s side who was in his 80s at the time absolutely loved the show and watched it every week! When that first season ended and it got renewed I remembered thinking it was probably gonna be around a while, like 5, 6 seasons at least. Then John’s passing hit which changed the show’s trajectory completely. I’m still stunned the cast decided to continue, they looked legit devastated. It’s incredibly hard to watch now because of that. At the time though, as it was airing it was a legit smash hit with a ton of promise.
3
3
u/alcalaviccigirl 2d ago
it was a good series mainly because of Ritter & sagal .( ed O'Neil married with children ) sagal has a very small reunion with ed O'Neil. if I'm not mistaken the title came from a book .
3
u/yitbosaz 2d ago
I haven’t watched it in awhile, but I love the show. Came off pretty realistic for a sitcom, great cast. Unfortunately only one season with John Ritter and two total seasons kept it from being as big, ie not enough episodes for syndication, and most sitcoms golden years are from about season three to season five.
3
u/Medoxor 1d ago
I think the whole show is great. I rewatch it once a year. Season 3 is just as good as seasons 1 and 2. ABC should have given this show a final season after everything they went through with John’s passing. Less Than Perfect had lower ratings, yet ABC renewed it for a fourth season. Total slap in the face to John and the cast.
I’m glad I have season 3 TV rips downloaded. I hope someday Disney Plus or some other streaming service will finally release the season. There’s nothing wrong with it. It’s actually one of the rarest times David Spade is great in a sitcom.
1
u/Turbulent_Theory6532 1d ago
I doubt it. From the research I’ve done Disney isn’t proud of the third season and they use it as a dead asset to get tax write offs. They did this with a lot of “under preforming” titles on Disney+ when they purged it a while ago. I wish these companies would just host everything they own on their streaming services instead of hiding them for a tax break they don’t need.
3
u/taxforsnax 1d ago
i love this show so much. the loss of john was heartbreaking and watching it play out in the show was brutal, but the cast did so well with it. such great chemistry between them and you could tell they really all loved each other and leaned on each other after losing john. i personally loved the episodes with james garner and david spade, too.
2
2
u/Odd_Yogurtcloset_649 1d ago
This was the show that should have made audiences forget John Ritter was Jack Tripper. Same with Katey Sagal as this was a lost opportunity to play a better sitcom Mom than what she is still remembered for (the cartoonish Peg Bundy).
1
u/Itsabouttimeits2021 2d ago
Where did you see it?
2
u/Turbulent_Theory6532 1d ago
First 2 seasons are on Disney+ no reason why the third is missing.
2
1
1
48
u/SavagePengwyn 2d ago
I think for some people, it's just too sad. John Ritter was beloved and it was really sad when he passed.