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.
CBS…you are out of your ever-loving mind, if you cancel RULES. EVERYONE I know watches that show, and LOVES it. ROB in no way, shape, or form, comes even close!!! Maybe you should listen to the people!!!!!
I completely agree. Great show! Get rid of Rob. It’s terrible.
Great Show–Drop Rob Keep Rules
wholeheartedly agree
I hope it wasn’t cancelled and it comes back for a 7th season, have been disappointed that it hasn’t been on.
ditto
I love the show and have watched every episode. I do not understand why you would cancel a hit show, especially in the MIDDLE of the season. Yes I believe there should be a 7th season. I will miss the show if it does not return and I may decide to turn to another network as well for entertainment.
If the ratings were so good- and the show very funny—- I dont understand why they would cancel- will miss this show.
Great show, just really don’t understand at all why they would cancel this one of all shows. It was doing great. Why mess with a good thing? Still very unethical, greedy brass in corporate as usual.
Rules of Engagement by far, THE best comedy on television. Heck, the best show period. The dynamics of the characters were awesome. A bright spot in this age of sullen TV viewing. I hope someone else picks it up. CBS sucks. Glad American Idol (my second fave) is on FOX. Because if it were on CBS and the last show on earth, I wouldnt watch it:(
Great show. One of the smarter comedies out there that’s light-hearted, dynamic, and plain funny. Cancellation would just be an inane decision, why is why I suppose the network would do it.
Hello CBS, are you listening? Do you hear us? Do you even care about what your loyal audience really wants to watch? There are so few shows that have had this rare blend of comedic genius. Bad, bad decision if you kill this one.
It will be a terrible loss. They don’t have a clue about what the people want. I love that show. I hope they bring it back it is so funny.
Truly disappointed that this show was cancelled. One of the few shows that could compete with Chuck Lorre offerings. Writing and comic situations kept getting better all the time. The cast was coming together really well and individual talent was coming through given a chance to play to their strengths. Why cancel a winner.
I love that show, am so disappointed they are cancelled.
It was one of the few bright spots Television had left – if it is not worthless reality TV – it is pretentious comedy trying to be cleaver. Some times people do not want to have to think about why something is funny – they just want an easy set up and pun! Some people or TV networks just need to get over themselves and to stop acting like spoiled children and listen to the adults – aka the public!
I agree with Stevus, Gary unmarried was awesome, Rules is awesome, apparently CBS doesn’t know a good show when they have one. I suppose I can always watch ABC.