Customer Reviews

8 Simple Rules: The Complete Second Season

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

John Ritter passed away after only three episodes of season 2. The series proceeded with a two part episode in which his character, Paul Hennessy, also died. The episode is very sad but is a fitting tribute to the great John Ritter. One can see the tears are real, they're not really acting; A testament to just how well loved he was by his castmates and everyone he met. Afterwards, the Hennessy's once again go about the business of making people laugh. It isn't the same without John Ritter. But, the addition of James Garner and David Spade to the regulars Katey Sagal,(Cate), Kaley Cuoco,(Bridget), Amy Davidson,(Kerry), and Martin Spanjers,(Rory), helps to fill the void. As a fan, I highly recommend season 2.

John Ritter was one heck of an actor, and his death was too premature. Rest in peace to a wonderful man, but his performances will live on forever.

The first season of "8 Simple Rules" makes it a fantastic family show, and with the second, I thought ABC would drop it because of John's death.

Much to my surprise, they incorporated John's death INTO the show, rather than just ending it. Whether they thought the show could go on, or felt it was time for a sitcom/drama to present death in a real light, I don't know. Except they did, kept a straight face, and re-tooled the show, and the excellence remains...

After a period of mourning, for which those episodes do not have a laugh track, they continued and brought in veteran actor James Garner, who proved to be an instant hit with the audience. His presence adds a new chemistry, which clearly works.

Then they added David Space, a move that surprised me, who turns out a BRILLIANT performance to a cast that already had genuine chemistry -- a show that lost John, but rebounded with James and David. It was thought out well and it showed. Plus, the show being a 'family' show presented a topic that does happen in real life. Big kudos.

This show is well-written and well-acted. By all. There is substance, depth, and wit that transcends what could have been sloppily-written, cornball comedy. It's that wit that also helps to elevate what is already a great series.

My favorite episode from this season is a tie, between "Get Real" (David Spade's introduction where he's set up as being an irresponsible oaf), and "Consequences" (the very special drug use episode). As with the season in general, those two episodes are very sharply written but stand out because they transcend "typical" sitcom moments. No easy task.

Highly recommended to all, it's a shame ABC canceled this show after its third year (by placing it before a REALLY bad show on Friday nights), but that's another story...

8 Simple Rules is a popular Family Sitcom that begun in 2002. Season 2 Episodes are as follows:

1) Premiere
2) Sex Ed
3) Donny Goes AWOL
4) Goodbye: Part 1
5) Goodbye: Part 2
6) No Right Way
7) What Dad Would Want
8) The First Thanksgiving
9) Merry Christmas: The Story of Anne Frank & Skeevy
10) YMCA
11) Get Real
12) Consequences
13) Opposites Attract: Part 1
14) Opposites Attract: Part 2
15) Opposites Attract: Part 3 - Night of the Locust
16) Daddy's Girl
17) Mall in the Family
18) Let's Keep Going: Part 1
19) Let's Keep Going: Part 2
20) C. J.'s Party
21) Mother's Day
22) The Principal
23) Final Part Un
24) Final Part Deux

John Ritter stars in the first three episodes of Season 2. Katey Sagal sing's in episode 16 "Daddy's Girl."

Thank you

8 Simple Rules is an excellent show, unfortunately this is the season where John Ritter passes away. There are essentially three different shows here, the one with John Ritter - that we all came to love, the one where the family (and us, really) deal with John Ritter/Paul's death, and the show after they move on - with James Garner & David Sapde. The show was different later on, but still a good show. James Garner was a brilliant addition of both comedy and heart, and nobody could have been a funnier addition than David Spade.

The DVD is OK. All episodes are uncut, but the introductions to John Ritter's final episodes are missing. There are no special features, which is disappointing.

Really is a good show. After Ritter passes, David Spade saves the humor of the show and it takes a different direction than it did in Season 1 due to the light hearted humor and sensitivity of Ritter in Season 1; but after Ritter passes in episode 4, they give him a solid tribute and you really do feel the pain of the actors in the show. Worth the buy, no doubt, especially if you like humorous family oriented shows.

For anyone with children, 8 simple rules is as accurate as it gets. This is how kids twist their parents, using every technique available. The re-direct, the bait and switch and the answer a question with an equal, and totally opposite question. By the time Kate and Paul figure out what hit them, chaos has ensued. And don't forget, "the boy". Using every opportunity to "drop" hints at what his sisters are up to, Rory makes sure nothing gets past mom and dad.

Even with the loss of John Ritter, the arrival of James Garner as grandpa, and David Spade as C.J., make sure the hysterics continue. But it was still cut way too short after only 3 seasons.

Makes me laugh and teaches lessons in life. Missing John Ritter!!! Glad that they did have a second season, though.

I enjoyed the first season of this show, but didn't have a whole lot of hope for the second season, as John Ritter had passed (RIP) and I'm not a huge fan of David Spade. But the cast pulled together a decent season, and while I agree with the studio that it wasn't worth carrying farther than this, this season paid fitting tribute to John Ritter after his passing. They didn't try to sneak in a replacement, rather acknowledged that he died, and showed a family dealing with the loss of their father figure intensely in the first part of the season, and intermittently throughout. And David Spade didn't try to be more or less than he ever had before, just fit his expected persona, so it was dealable.

Unfortunately, John Ritter died this season, but David Spade and James Garner joined the already amazing cast. For anyone one who doesn't know, "8 Simple Rules" was one of those sitcoms from the early-2000's that was short-lived (3 Seasons, 76 episodes total), but was simply entertaining week after week. Reruns currently air on ABC Family, but to fully enjoy this show, you have to buy both the first and second seasons, so that the episodes are available in an endless supply. I only hope that the third season will find its way onto store shelves someday. Let's face it; two years between releases, and still nothing, can't be good! Every night that the show aired originally on ABC, I tuned in. This series still remains one of my favorites, and the episodes hold-up after multiple viewings. Especially this season, the series pulls on your heartstrings, while demonstrating that laughter is the best medicine. Please note, when viewing the "Good-bye" two part episode, have a box of tissues close by! Again, a show that only lasted three seasons, that can still spark my interest after years and years, has to be well done!

While not quite as funny as the first season, it was for the most part very enjoyable. A lot of "touching" moments too. Understandable, with the cast and writers dealing with the untimely death of family patriarch John Ritter, it had to be difficult trying to continue a comedy series. A little less David Spade would have helped, in my opinion, but that's just me. Kaley Cuoco still just as hot as ever!