8 Simple Rules_
EMMY WINNER
Paul and Cate are raising their three children -- Bridget, Kerry and Rory -- which is no easy task. Oldest daughter Bridget is traversing the dating scene. Kerry is cute and smart, but she has a hard time getting in touch with her true feelings because of her lack of self-confidence. The youngest of the three children, and only boy, Rory is beginning to discover one of life's greatest mysteries -- girls.
Created By
Tracy Gamble
Network
ABC
Episodes
74
Updated Feb 16, 2026
WHERE TO WATCH
Disney+
7 countries
DROPTHE_ GOSSIP
Overview
8 Simple Rules has 3 seasons with 74 episodes spanning 2002-2005.
Rating
8 Simple Rules holds a 6.8/10 rating based on 196 votes.
Year context
8 Simple Rules first aired 24 years ago in 2002.
CAST (6)
Katey Sagal
Cate Hennessy
Kaley Cuoco
Bridget Hennessy
Amy Davidson
Kerry Hennessy
Martin Spanjers
Rory Hennessy
James Garner
Jim Egan
David Spade
C.J. Barnes
SEASONS (3 seasons, 74 episodes)
SEASON 1
01
Pilot
As Cate decides to go back to work as a nurse, Paul undertakes the responsibility of watching the kids.
02
Wall of Shame
Paul is left home alone with the kids while Cate is at a seminar on the day of the big Michigan/Ohio State football game. But…
03
Bridget's First Job
After seeing how much money Bridget spends on keeping up with the latest fashions, Paul tells her to go out and get a job to…
04
Wings
Bridget takes drastic measures when an overprotective Paul keeps coming up with excuses to delay her from taking her driver's test. Meanwhile, after convincing a…
05
Son-In-Law
A sports-struck Paul lets Bridget do whatever she wants when she starts dating Travis, star basketball player and son of baseball legend Steve Smith. Meanwhile…
06
Cheerleader
Bridget is ecstatic when the cheerleading squad has an opening for a new member. But after telling Kerry that she is not cut out to…
07
Trick or Treehouse
Paul seems to be the only one looking forward to a family Halloween, as Bridget, Kerry and Rory make plans to spend the spooky evening…
08
By the Book
In an effort to win back the love and respect that his daughters used to show him when they were young, Paul turns to a…
09
Two Boys for Every Girl
After Paul convinces Bridget to tell Kyle the truth about her date with another boy, Kyle breaks up with her. Meanwhile, Kerry's first date turns…
10
Give It Up
When no one can agree on where the family vacation should take place, Paul challenges the Hennessey clan to give up their bad habits for…
11
Paul Meets His Match
Paul becomes quick friends with his new editor Nick when he discovers they both are married fathers of teenage girls. But Paul soon learns that…
12
All I Want for Christmas
Paul tries to find perfect gifts for the family to make up for last year's Christmas fiasco. Kerry finds a stray dog during the holidays.…
13
Rory's Got a Girlfriend
When a proud Paul lets thirteen-year-old Rory go out on his first date, Bridget and Kerry accuse him of unfairly changing the rules because they…
14
Career Choices
Paul and Cate are shocked when they are called into the principal's office and informed that Bridget wants to skip her college prep classes in…
15
Kerry's Big Adventure
After Kerry and her boyfriend break up, Paul tries to cheer her up by getting Bridget to take her little sister with her to a…
16
Come and Knock on Our Door
After discovering that boyfriend Kyle kissed Kerry at a party, Bridget gives her sister the silent treatment which is anything but quiet for Paul. But…
17
Drummer Boy (1)
Bridget defies the rules of the house after Paul forbids her from going out on a date with Ben, her college-age drum instructor. Meanwhile, Kerry…
18
Drummer Boy (2)
Bridget takes the car and follows her older boyfriend, drum instructor Ben, to his college dorm.
19
Cool Parent
After a party at Tommy's house is broken up by the police, Paul chastises his friend and unwittingly volunteers to host the next one. But…
20
Every Picture Tells A Story
When Paul is asked by race car driver Carter Tibbits (Jason Priestley, "Beverly Hills 90210") to write a book about him, Paul brings the family…
21
Kerry's Video
Kerry devotes her school video project to sister Bridget to illustrate the hypocrisy that life is much easier for the beautiful people. But when Bridget…
22
Good Moms Gone Wild
While vacationing in Florida at Cate's parents' home, Paul and Cate catch Bridget and Kerry on the news partying with a group of Spring Breakers.…
23
Career Woman
Paul's job as parental guardian becomes more of a full-time position when Cate is up for a promotion and has to spend more time at…
24
Queen Bees and King Bees
Bridget and Paul are surprised to find themselves in similar situations when they are both alienated in their social circles. But they devise a plan…
25
Bake Sale
For a health class assignment, Bridget and Kyle have to take care of a sack of flour as if it were a baby. Kerry and…
26
The Doyle Wedding
After reluctantly inviting socially inept neighbors Fred and Mary Ellen Doyle and their kids over for dinner, Paul and Cate are shocked when the entire…
27
Sort of an Officer and a Gentleman (1)
Having learned that her sister Maggie is having marital problems, Cate is nevertheless not too thrilled when Paul invites Maggie to stay at the house.…
28
Sort of an Officer and a Gentleman (2)
The rivalry between Cate and Maggie comes to a boiling point when Maggie gets a sexy, new makeover and gives Bridget a water bra as…
SEASON 2
01
Premiere
Bridget finds her popularity waning because of her exclusive, long distance relationship with Donny, while Kerry's social status skyrockets because of her relationship with Kyle.…
02
Sex Ed
Bridget is horrified when Cate is asked to fill in as the sex ed instructor in her daughter's class. But Cate is in for a…
03
Donny Goes AWOL
Donny's parents ask Bridget to be a part of a video message they are sending Donny. They are shocked to discover that Bridget has broken…
04
Goodbye
Cate receives a phone call that Paul had collapsed and died in the grocery store. Later that evening, Cate's parents arrive to help them through…
05
No Right Way
Cate is unprepared for the diverse reactions exhibited by Bridget and Kerry on their first day back to school since their father's death. Meanwhile, Jim…
06
What Dad Would Want
Cate persuades Rory to try out for basketball because that would've made his dad proud.
07
The First Thanksgiving
While Cate plans to raise the family spirits with a special Thanksgiving dinner, Rory takes it upon himself to be the man of the house…
08
The Story of Anne Frank and Skeevy
After Cate encourages Bridget to participate in extracurricular activities to beef up her college resume, Bridget shocks the family by landing the lead in the…
09
YMCA
Cate orders Kerry, Rory, and Jim join the YMCA where Bridget works.
10
Get Real
The Hennessy household and Jim are thrown for a loop when Cate's wayward nephew C.J. stops by to pay his respects to Paul and generally…
11
Consequences
Rory steals a police dog when he hears about CJ's glory days of stealing his old school mascot, but Cate is shocked when the dog…
12
Opposites Attract (1)
In need of a tutor to boost her grades, Bridget hires Jeremy, hoping to make her chance of getting into a good college better. Meanwhile,…
13
Opposites Attract (2)
Bridget decides to make a move on her tutor but discovers that he may have his sights set on her debate team opponent. Meanwhile, after…
14
Opposites Attract: Night of the Locust (3)
After being told that she's fickle when it comes to relationships, Bridget is afraid that she may end up hurting Jeremy's feelings when her ex-boyfriend…
15
Daddy's Girl
On the advice of the family therapist, Cate is encouraged to pursue her dream of becoming a singer. Meanwhile, C.J. and Jim find themselves trying…
16
Mall in the Family
After Kerry is promoted to assistant manager at a fast food restaurant in the mall, Jim is hired to handle the register. Meanwhile C.J., who…
17
Let's Keep Going (1)
Cate sends Bridget and Kerry to their grandmother's house for a visit after the Hennessys decide against vacationing at the family cabin. But while on…
18
Let's Keep Going (2)
Upon discovering Cate in the arms of Artie, Bridget and Kerry decide to blow off their planned trip to their grandmother's and take to the…
19
C.J.'s Party
Cate banishes C.J. and grounds Bridget for going to C.J.'s college keg party. Jim has to take a written drivers exam after being pulled over…
20
Mother's Day
After witnessing some strange behavior from Bridget and Kerry, Cate tries to find out what they are up to. Meanwhile, C.J. and Rory doubt Jim's…
21
The Principal
When Bridget is busted over a school dress code violation, Cate is called upon to meet with her new principal. But Cate is in for…
22
Final Parts Un & Deux
Kerry gets in the art program in Europe in the summer, but Cate forgot to submit her medical records in time. Together they appeal to…
SEASON 3
01
First Day of School
Knowing that Kerry is dragging her feet over breaking up with Kyle, Bridget takes it upon herself to do it for her sister. Meanwhile, Cate…
02
Changes
The kids question Cate's motives when they return from their summer getaways and discover that she has bought a new bed and changed her hairstyle.…
03
School Nurse
After Cate accepts the position of school nurse, Bridget and Kerry are convinced that she only took the job to spy on them. Rory is…
04
Out of the Box
Kerry is livid when Bridget unintentionally makes a mockery out of her art project at the mall. But she forgets about Bridget when a fellow…
05
Car Trouble
Kate gives Bridget and Kerry the keys to the minivan, provided they drive Rory wherever he needs to go. But when the girls repeatedly fail…
06
Halloween
Kerry doubts Bridget's ability to put together the school's Halloween party as part of her Student Body President duties. C.J. is hired as the party's…
07
Coach
Bridget is psyched to join the high school tennis team when she develops a crush on Coach Scott. But her infatuation soon turns to disgust…
08
Secrets
Everyone fears the ringing of the phone when they all keep secrets from each other. Rory refuses to divulge the identity of the student responsible…
09
Thanksgiving
While the family prepares Thanksgiving dinner for Cate to give her some much needed time off, she's left with nothing to do until she brings…
10
Vanity Unfair
After Bridget is turned down for a role in a sports car commercial, Jim discovers that the head of the modeling agency who rejected her…
11
Princetown Girl
Bridget is ecstatic when she learns that tennis scouts from Princeton are coming to her school to watch her play for a possible scholarship. But…
12
A Very C.J. Christmas
To keep C.J. from spending Christmas alone in Las Vegas, the Hennessy household bends over backwards to recreate one of Cate's first holiday memories to…
13
The Sub
Cate is shocked to discover that Principal Gibb has hired C.J. as a substitute teacher. When C.J. catches Rory cheating on a test, he is…
14
C.J.'s Temptation
While Cate finds herself becoming jealous of Principal Ed Gibb's new girlfriend, C.J. is asked by Ed to help tutor Cheryl for her GEDs --…
15
Old Flame
After sending an email to former college flame Matt to see how he's been doing over the years, Cate becomes fed up with the unreasonable…
16
Closure
When Cate and C.J. discover that Kerry has been e-mailing Bruno, they secretly try to snoop in her computer to find out what the two…
17
Volleybrawl
Cate's alleged antics at Kerry's volleyball game threaten to make her team forfeit the match. Meanwhile, C.J. has a crush on Kerry's volleyball coach and…
18
Freaky Friday
After falling asleep while watching Freaky Friday, Cate awakens to find that she and Bridget have switched bodies. C.J. and Jim have also trade places…
19
Torn Between Two Lovers
Valentine's Day finds C.J. in a predicament when he commits to two different Valentine's Day dates. Meanwhile, Bridget's excitement over being elected to the court…
20
C.J.'s Real Dad
C.J. is shocked and delighted when he meets his biological father for the first time. But Jim doesn't trust the man and thinks he may…
21
The After Party
After turning down Bridget's request to throw an after-prom party in a hotel room, Cate decides to throw a school- sanctioned party at the house…
22
The Teachers Lounge
Officially a full-time teacher, C.J. is overjoyed to finally get access to the teachers' lounge. But he soon finds himself being bullied out of the…
23
The Sleepover
After Principal Gibb and Cate fall asleep at the house while watching a movie, the family catches them and falsely assumes that the two are…
24
Ditch Day
After C.J. discovers that Cate may be starting a relationship with Principal Gibb, he blabs it to Bridget. An angry Cate has Gibb put C.J.…
SERIES INFO
3
Seasons
74
Episodes
Ended
Status
CREW
Creator
Tracy Gamble
NETWORKS (1)
ABC
AWARDS (2)
G
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Cinematography for a Multi-Camera Series
2004
WON
B
Genesis Award
WON
DETAILS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is 8 Simple Rules about?
Paul and Cate are raising their three children -- Bridget, Kerry and Rory -- which is no easy task. Oldest daughter Bridget is traversing the dating scene. Kerry is cute and smart, but she has a hard time getting in touch with her true feelings because of her lack of self-confidence. The youngest of the three children, and only boy, Rory is beginning to discover one of life's greatest mysteries -- girls.
Where can I watch 8 Simple Rules?
8 Simple Rules is available on Disney+. Availability varies by region.
How many seasons does 8 Simple Rules have?
8 Simple Rules has 3 seasons with 74 episodes total.
Who created 8 Simple Rules?
8 Simple Rules was created by Tracy Gamble.
Who stars in 8 Simple Rules?
The cast of 8 Simple Rules includes Katey Sagal, Kaley Cuoco, Amy Davidson, Martin Spanjers, James Garner.
What is the rating of 8 Simple Rules?
8 Simple Rules has a rating of 6.8 out of 10 based on 196 votes on TMDB.
Is 8 Simple Rules still running?
8 Simple Rules has ended. The final episode aired on .
GENRES (2)
Comedy
Drama
