"8 Simple Rules... for Dating My Teenage Daughter" (2002) TV series 2002-2005

User Rating:

7.6/10   

Creator:

Tracy Gamble
(more)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3

Release Date:

17 September 2002 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

The Hennessy clan -- mother Cate, daughters Bridget and Kerry, and son Rory -- look to one another for guidance and support after the death of Paul...

Plot Keywords:

Daughter | Ellipsis In Title | Parent Child Relationship | Sitcom | Writer

Awards:

Won Primetime Emmy. Another 8 wins & 12 nominations

Cast

Katey Sagal	...	Cate Hennessy (76 episodes, 2002-2005)
Kaley Cuoco	...	Bridget Hennessy (76 episodes, 2002-2005)
Amy Davidson	...	Kerry Hennessy (76 episodes, 2002-2005)
Martin Spanjers	...	Rory Hennessy (76 episodes, 2002-2005)
James Garner	...	Jim Egan (45 episodes, 2003-2005)
David Spade	...	C.J. Barnes (39 episodes, 2004-2005)
John Ritter	...	Paul Hennessy (31 episodes, 2002-2003)
Billy Aaron Brown	...	Kyle (31 episodes, 2002-2004)

(more)

Series Directed by
James Widdoes		(63 episodes, 2002-2005)
Lynn M. McCracken		(3 episodes, 2003-2004)
Robby Benson		(2 episodes, 2003)
Mark Cendrowski		(2 episodes, 2003)
Terry Hughes		(2 episodes, 2003)
Pat Fischer-Doak		(2 episodes, 2004-2005)

Series Writing credits
Tracy Gamble		(32 episodes, 2002-2005)
W. Bruce Cameron		(20 episodes, 2004-2005)
Bonnie Kallman		(11 episodes, 2002-2004)
Martin Weiss		(10 episodes, 2002-2004)
Paul F. Ciancarelli		(7 episodes, 2002-2005)
David S. DiPietro		(7 episodes, 2002-2005)
Bill Daly		(7 episodes, 2002-2004)
Bill Callahan		(6 episodes, 2002-2004)
Seth Kurland		(6 episodes, 2003-2005)
Steve Baldikoski		(4 episodes, 2004-2005)
Bryan Behar		(4 episodes, 2004-2005)
Christy Jacobs White		(3 episodes, 2002-2004)
Philip Wen		(3 episodes, 2002-2003)
Gayle Abrams		(3 episodes, 2003-2004)
David Flebotte		(3 episodes, 2003-2004)
Rob Hanning		(3 episodes, 2004-2005)
Tamiko K. Brooks		(3 episodes, 2004)
Michael Langworthy		(2 episodes, 2002-2004)
Dena Waxman		(2 episodes, 2002-2004)
Janis Hirsch		(2 episodes, 2003)
Rosalind Moore		(2 episodes, 2003)
Hayes Jackson		(2 episodes, 2004-2005)
Grant Nieporte		(2 episodes, 2004-2005)
Robert Spina		(2 episodes, 2004-2005)
Kathy Ann Stumpe		(2 episodes, 2004)
John Peaslee		(2 episodes, 2005)
Judd Pillot		(2 episodes, 2005)

Series Produced by
Alan Padula	....	producer (42 episodes, 2002-2005)
John Peaslee	....	executive producer (24 episodes, 2004-2005)
Judd Pillot	....	executive producer (24 episodes, 2004-2005)
Seth Kurland	....	co-executive producer (23 episodes, 2003-2005)
Michael Bostick	....	executive producer (22 episodes, 2003-2005)
Tom Shadyac	....	executive producer (22 episodes, 2003-2005)
Bonnie Kallman	....	supervising producer / producer (21 episodes, 2003-2005)
Paul F. Ciancarelli	....	producer (17 episodes, 2004-2005)
David S. DiPietro	....	producer (17 episodes, 2004-2005)
Tracy Gamble	....	consulting producer / executive producer (16 episodes, 2003-2005)
Martin Weiss	....	co-executive producer (16 episodes, 2003-2005)
Steve Baldikoski	....	co-executive producer (16 episodes, 2004-2005)
Bryan Behar	....	co-executive producer (16 episodes, 2004-2005)
Rob Hanning	....	co-executive producer (16 episodes, 2004-2005)
Hayes Jackson	....	supervising producer (16 episodes, 2004-2005)
Kathy Ann Stumpe	....	co-executive producer (16 episodes, 2004-2005)
James Widdoes	....	executive producer (16 episodes, 2004-2005)
Seth M. Katz	....	associate producer (15 episodes, 2004-2005)
Laurie Gelman	....	consulting producer (12 episodes, 2004-2005)
Gayle Abrams	....	co-executive producer (7 episodes, 2003)
Bill Daly	....	co-producer (7 episodes, 2003)
Judy Rauh Simmons	....	associate producer (7 episodes, 2003)
Ric Swartzlander	....	co-executive producer (7 episodes, 2003)
Flody Suarez	....	executive producer (6 episodes, 2003)
Donald R. Beck	....	consulting producer (5 episodes, 2003)
Bill Callahan	....	supervising producer / producer (4 episodes, 2003)
David Flebotte	....	consulting producer (4 episodes, 2003)
Miriam Trogdon	....	co-executive producer (4 episodes, 2005)
David Richardson	....	consulting producer (3 episodes, 2005)
Amy Engelberg	....	producer (unknown episodes)
Wendy Engelberg	....	producer (unknown episodes)
Janis Hirsch	....	co-executive producer (unknown episodes)
Michael Langworthy	....	co-executive producer (unknown episodes)
Rosalind Moore	....	consulting producer (unknown episodes)

Series Original Music by
Dan Foliart		(66 episodes, 2002-2005)
John Adair		(13 episodes, 2004-2005)
Steve Hampton		(13 episodes, 2004-2005)

Series Cinematography by
Bruce L. Finn		(23 episodes, 2003-2005)
Tony Askins		(unknown episodes)

Series Film Editing by
Mark West		(24 episodes, 2004-2005)
Marco Zappia		(7 episodes, 2003)
Joe Bergen		(unknown episodes)

Series Casting by
Lori Openden		(19 episodes, 2003-2005)

Series Production Design by
Jay Pelissier		(14 episodes, 2003-2005)

Series Set Decoration by
Caitlin Blue		(24 episodes, 2003-2005)
Barbara Cassel		(unknown episodes)

Series Costume Design by
Elizabeth Bass		(24 episodes, 2003-2005)
Julia Caston		(unknown episodes)

Series Makeup Department
Faye Woods	....	hair stylist (67 episodes, 2002-2005)
Renee Napolitano	....	makeup artist (23 episodes, 2003-2005)
Gail Hogopian	....	makeup artist (unknown episodes)

Series Production Management
Alan Padula	....	unit production manager (22 episodes, 2003-2005)
Mark J. Greenberg	....	unit production manager (unknown episodes)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Beth Hebert	....	second assistant director / first assistant director (23 episodes, 2003-2005)
Lynn M. McCracken	....	first assistant director (22 episodes, 2003-2005)
Pat Fischer-Doak	....	associate director (13 episodes, 2004-2005)
Johanna Jensen	....	second assistant director (unknown episodes)
Shawn Shea	....	first assistant director (unknown episodes)

Series Art Department
Doug Devine	....	on-set dresser (76 episodes, 2002-2005)
Suzanne Feller-Otto	....	set designer (35 episodes, 2002-2003)
Jeff Hite	....	property master (16 episodes, 2004-2005)
Victor Anderson	....	construction foreman (12 episodes, 2005)
Ron Woods	....	property master (7 episodes, 2003)
Kenneth Heimer	....	propmaker (unknown episodes)
Jeffrey Paul Johnson	....	property master (unknown episodes)
Richard N. McGuire	....	propmaker (unknown episodes)

Series Sound Department
Matt Pavolaitis	....	extra effects mixer: Technicolor Glendale / additional effects mixer: Technicolor Glendale (75 episodes, 2002-2005)
Eric Pierce	....	production sound mixer (23 episodes, 2003-2005)
Kathy Oldham	....	post production sound (22 episodes, 2003-2005)
John Bickelhaupt	....	post production sound (21 episodes, 2003-2005)
Jesse K-D. Dodd	....	foley mixer (unknown episodes)
Todd Grace	....	sound re-recording mixer (unknown episodes)

Series Special Effects by
Charles Cooley	....	special effects technician (6 episodes, 2004-2005)
J.D. Streett	....	special effects supervisor (unknown episodes)

Series Stunts
Greg Anthony	....	stunt performer (1 episode, 2004)
Danny Downey	....	stunt coordinator (1 episode, 2005)
Jeremy Fry	....	utility stunts (1 episode, 2005)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
David Demore	....	digital imaging technician (76 episodes, 2002-2005)
Jason Young	....	lighting console programmer (21 episodes, 2004-2005)
Ritch Kenney	....	camera operator (12 episodes, 2002)
Michael Dennis	....	video assistant (10 episodes, 2004)
Bruce Byall	....	grip (unknown episodes)
James M. Chizmar Jr.	....	grip (unknown episodes)
Colin Edwards	....	key grip (unknown episodes)
Kevin Edwards	....	grip (unknown episodes)
Frank Hughes	....	best boy electric (unknown episodes)
Karen Neal	....	still photographer (unknown episodes)
John 'Fest' Sandau	....	gaffer (unknown episodes)

Series Casting Department
Ruthie Brownfield	....	casting assistant (unknown episodes)
Brad Kenny	....	extras casting (unknown episodes)
Kathryn Lyn Long	....	extras casting (unknown episodes)
Jenny Siff	....	casting assistant (unknown episodes)
Judith Sunga	....	casting assistant (unknown episodes)

Series Costume and Wardrobe Department
Jim Hansen	....	wardrobe supervisor / costume supervisor (48 episodes, 2003-2005)
Shannon Iarossi	....	wardrobe production assistant (16 episodes, 2004-2005)
Molly Mitchell	....	costume supervisor (7 episodes, 2003)
Jennifer Seery	....	set costumer (3 episodes, 2003)
Kristine Hawley	....	costume production assistant (3 episodes, 2004)

Series Editorial Department
Brian Moraga	....	post-production assistant (52 episodes, 2002-2004)
Andy Lichtstein	....	final colorist (unknown episodes)
Danny Ortiz	....	post-production coordinator (unknown episodes)
Abraham Park	....	post-production: Touchstone Television (unknown episodes)

Series Music Department
Brad Hamilton	....	music editor / music coordinator (13 episodes, 2004-2005)
Kent Verderico	....	original music engineer (13 episodes, 2004-2005)
Tim Boyle	....	score mixer: main title (unknown episodes)

Series Other crew
Robert Spina	....	script supervisor (76 episodes, 2002-2005)
Lorie Carter	....	production secretary / production staff / ... (73 episodes, 2002-2005)
Rebecca Gebhard	....	production assistant / production staff (24 episodes, 2004-2005)
James Fino	....	production coordinator / production staff (23 episodes, 2003-2005)
Pat Fischer-Doak	....	technical coordinator / associate director (20 episodes, 2003-2005)
Jacqueline Lesko	....	production staff / production assistant (12 episodes, 2003-2005)
Mike Murphy	....	production staff (12 episodes, 2003-2005)
Grant Nieporte	....	production staff (12 episodes, 2003-2005)
Christine Pierce	....	production staff (12 episodes, 2003-2005)
Matthew Bozin	....	production staff / production assistant (11 episodes, 2003-2005)
Jeremiah Leibowitz	....	production staff / production assistant (11 episodes, 2003-2005)
Kymberly Pereira	....	production staff (11 episodes, 2003-2005)
Frank Wolff	....	production staff (11 episodes, 2003-2005)
Nazli Afar	....	production staff (10 episodes, 2003-2005)
Ruthie Brownfield	....	production staff (10 episodes, 2003-2005)
Glenda Storm	....	production staff (9 episodes, 2003-2005)
Benjamin Davidson	....	production staff / production assistant (8 episodes, 2004-2005)
David Joyner	....	production staff (8 episodes, 2004-2005)
Paul F. Ciancarelli	....	executive story editor (7 episodes, 2003-2004)
David S. DiPietro	....	executive story editor (7 episodes, 2003-2004)
Kenneth Colon	....	production staff (7 episodes, 2004-2005)
Dagan Handy	....	production staff (7 episodes, 2004-2005)
Caitlin Mauney	....	production associate (6 episodes, 2003)
Denise A. Doi	....	production staff (5 episodes, 2004)
Brian Moraga	....	production assistant / production staff (4 episodes, 2003)
Steven Bevacqua	....	production staff / production assistant (3 episodes, 2003)
Cory Blothenburg	....	production staff / production assistant (3 episodes, 2003)
David Ginsburg	....	production staff / production accountant (3 episodes, 2003)
Danny Ortiz	....	production staff (3 episodes, 2005)
Freddy Boutros	....	production staff (unknown episodes)
Karen Brooks	....	production coordinator (unknown episodes)
Bill Daly	....	executive story editor (unknown episodes)
Erin Felentzer	....	publicist (unknown episodes)
Peter Filsinger	....	technical coordinator (unknown episodes)
Mandy Kaprall	....	production staff (unknown episodes)
Lauren Lacher	....	production staff (unknown episodes)
Gregg Lichtenstein	....	production staff (unknown episodes)
Gregory Messina	....	production staff (unknown episodes)
Christy White	....	production staff (unknown episodes)

Production Companies

• Touchstone Television
• American Broadcasting Company (ABC)
• Flody Co.
• Shady Acres Entertainment
• Tracy Gamble Productions (2004-)

Distributors

• American Broadcasting Company (ABC) (2002-2005) (USA) (TV)
• Buena Vista Television (2002) (USA) (TV)
• Buena Vista International (2002) (non-USA) (TV)
• Viasat3 (2009) (Hungary) (TV)
• ABC (2002-) (UK) (TV)
• ABC1 (2004-) (UK) (TV)
• Antena 1 (2006-) (Romania) (TV)
• Canadian Television (CTV) (Canada)
• Comedy Central (2008) (Netherlands) (TV)
• RTL-TVi (2004) (Belgium) (TV)
• TV3 (2004-) (Estonia) (TV)
• VT4 (200?-) (Belgium) (TV)
• WB Television Network, The (2006) (USA) (TV)

Other Companies

• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  cranes and dollies
• Complete Post  post-production facilities
• Filmtools  expendables
• Marshall/Plumb Research Associates  script research
• Technicolor Creative Services  post-production facilities

Also Known As:

"8 Simple Rules" (USA) (new title)
"A Few Simple Rules" (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

30 min (76 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:TV-PG | Australia:PG | Canada:G (Quebec) | Netherlands:6

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Touchstone Television

Trivia:

John Ritter collapsed on the set of the show, and later died, after filming the first three episodes of the second season. The series then went on hiatus for a number of weeks, returning in November 2003 with a modified format addressing the death of Ritter's character. The first post-Ritter episode, "Goodbye," was produced without a laugh track/live audience.

Goofs:

Errors in geography: In several episodes, characters drink "Safeway Select" colas. The Safeway Brands are only available in Safeway Company Stores in the Western US and Canada, in and around the Chicagoland area and at some select convenience stores in the Eastern US. The show takes place in Detroit, Michigan. No Safeway Company Stores exist in or around Detroit.

Quotes:

Cate: Uh, dad, maybe you wanna unplug that first.
Jim: Oh, relax Cate. These little zaps make me feel alive.
Jim: Fireflies!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in 8 Simple Rules for Doing My Son (2005) (V)

Stellar Comedy

Just when things were looking dark for ABC (compared to last year), out of the blue comes a savior sitcom! 8 Simple Rules is a funny sitcom, and has a premise that most modern families can relate to.

This show is somewhat similar to My Wife and Kids, except that the stories are more centered on teenage issues (dating, school, etc.) Bridget is the oldest child, the one who often dates Kyle, and despite the on-going "shallow teenage daughter" stereotype, she's pretty funny. Kerry is the slightly younger daughter, who's not very popular, but is a great artist. Rory is the only son, youngest child, and doesn't seem to have a life outside video games, and pestering his sisters. Unlike many other shows with annoying siblings, he's more funny than he is annoying. Paul is the over-protective dad, and Cate is the liberal mom. All of these five personalities put together creates another fantastic family comedy.

One thing I'm puzzled about is how Amy Davidson is playing the slightly-younger daughter to Kaley Cuoco's role as the oldest daughter. Davidson is actually six years older than Cuoco. Women of today are often known for wanting to look beautiful, which is to say, youth equaling beauty. Maybe the effects of making someone younger than they actually appear has finally paid off, this very sitcom being the living proof.

A lot of the best jokes come from Paul's coping with Bridget and Kerry. He tries hard (perhaps too hard) to make sure Bridget doesn't step out of line with her dating privileges, and tries to get Kerry to be more social. I love it when Paul calls Kerry "Care Bear". The over-protective dad vs. shallow teenage daughter thing is a staple in many sitcoms, and in this case, does a swell job not not growing stale.

8 Simple Rules is ABC's highlight program for Tuesday nites, the same as how My Wife and Kids is the alphabet network's highlight program for Wednesday nites. Along with several other new shows, this also seems to be a lead for ABC's recovery tactics, which so far, seems to be working. The network generally would've had better luck had it not filled up so much on Who Wants to be a Millionare a couple seasons ago. 8 Simple Rules is a great sitcom, and now provides a better reason why one must watch TV on Tuesday nites!