See below for update. Despite the fact that the sitcom has been a winner for CBS in the Thursdays at 8:30pm timeslot, it looks like Rules of Engagement has been cancelled.
An inside source has told us that CBS has decided not to order the back nine episodes for the current sixth season. The cast and crew have two episodes left to shoot and believe that those will be the last episodes of the series.
Our source tells us that calls went out on Friday night to those who work on the show to give them the bad news. Especially given the current ratings, many were understandably shocked and upset as they head into the holiday season.
Starring David Spade, Patrick Warburton, Bianca Kajlich, Megyn Price and Oliver Hudson, Rules of Engagement launched in early 2007 and has been a reliable pinch hitter for CBS for years. It started in the post-Two and a Half Men timeslot but has been moved to a couple different timeslots.
Last May, the series was renewed for a sixth season with the aim of a Saturday night run. Word was that the studio gave CBS a great deal so they’d have additional episodes for the syndication package. When How to Be a Gentleman tanked, the network brought Rules back to Thursdays where it’s doing far better than it did last year — and better than any other sitcom that CBS has had in that coveted slot.
Our source says, “The reality is it’s got to be politics. The network has always had it out for Tom [Hertz, Rules' creator] and the show, which is why it’s weird that they just set up a put pilot with him for next season… It really does seem to be a desperation move on their part to find something that hits it out of the ballpark in that Thurs 8:30 slot. Doubles and triples apparently aren’t good enough for them. They’d rather risk a few more fouls and strike outs than go with a solid player.”
What do you think? Are you a fan of the TV series? Should it get a seventh season?
UPDATE: A network source has told us that Rules has not been cancelled — not yet anyway. Apparently the sitcom was picked up for 18 episodes for season six, to be combined with two leftover episodes from season five. CBS has now cut the episode order down to 13 episodes (or 15 total). (Deadline is now reporting the same thing.) While the door is still open for season seven, we’re told that many involved with the production believe this is truly the end of the show.
Image courtesy CBS.
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A Show that hits home runs. Stupid to cancel it!
LOVE. Rules…… RULES Rules! PLZ bring it back. Love the characters. Only don’t make Russell too pathetic. That gets a bit unbelievable….. I have been waiting for it to come back. Plz bring it back soon!
We LOVE that show at our house. PLEASE BRING IT BACK!
OH! NO, Say it’s not true………Madison Ave./Hollywood…..Pin Heads
I know you people don’t think like us “Normal humans, so i as a 85 year old guy, is not suppose to be watching this show, as i am not what you are looking for as far as your young type commercials go, but i REALLY enjoy this, so of course, as long as your viewing people are enjoying something you can’t wait till you cancel it……RIGHT????
Keep this show on for 7th season. One of the few sitcoms that is funny. Good actors and writing. Hope network reconsiders cancelling.
love, love, rules of engagement!
BAD MOVE! DSO NOT CANCEL,please!!!
I think it is one of the funniest shows on t.v. watching it on reruns right now but would love to see it come back!!!
I really hope they make a 7th season of rulse of engagment it’s the funniest show Iv seen in a long time please bring it back
Rules is one of the funniest shows to be on tv since Raymond. Can’t believe they’re canceling this show. Terrible move
This is a great sitcom. If the people like it, has good ratings what more does CBS want. Leave the politics out of this, we get enough of that from Washington! Get along with each other and move on.
Dear CBS,
What?!! Please Do Not take this Great show off the air! It is one of the Best shows on TV!
‘Rules’ has a Great Cast and Terrific Writers! How can you not see this is a great comedy?
I for one am kind of sick of seeing so many medical and shoot-em up TV shows, with details of wounds, etc…that ‘Rules of Engagement’ was like a cool peppermint patty! You know…funny and refreshing like a breath of fresh air, which we hardly find anymore these days….literally! Please reconsider keeping this show on TV for more years to come?
Please CBS??? Pleeease KEEP ‘Rules of Engagement’ on TV! I am begging here!
I am just the voice of one fan, but I know I represent MANY, MANY MORE!
It is the right decision for our country and the world! We Truly need a lot of Humor during these difficult times on the planet now.
You are a great station CBS and I trust you to make the right decision.
We are Looking forward to seeing More ‘Rules of Engagement’!!!
Have great holiday times and Best regards!
Marc Brinkerhoff
I cannot believe they are going to cancel this funny funny laghing out load show, you are making a mistake, this show is GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! please reconsider. IAM SO SAD
THESE PEOPLE ARE PERFECT TOGETRHER WHEN IT COMES TO ACTING.
No No No….please don’t cancel this sitcom. I love this show and all the actors on it. It is so funny and the actors are all “GREAT.” I basically only watch sitcoms so I can laugh in this depressing world, and I find there are no good sitcoms on Tuesday night. Find a good time slot on Tuesdays…PLEASE DON’T CANCEL this over the top funny show. I was a huge fan of Two and a Half Men with Charlie Sheen, however now that Charlie is gone I no longer find it that funny with (can’t even think of his name), however I continue to watch it because face it, Jon Cryer and Holland Taylor, & Conchetta make this show. Then came Rules of Engagement…now you are cancelling this? You should really think twice about this…don’t end up like 2-1/2 Men..This sitcom has a “Team” that fits together….
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