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.
WHY do the good ones always get canceled—this was a FUN show to watch!
Great CAST!
This is such a great show. We really hope it can come back!
I AGREE WITH ALL THE COMMENTS SAYING “PLEASE DON’T CANCEL!!!!” MY HUSBAND AND I LOVE THIS SHOW. HE SEEMS TO REALLY RELATE TO THE PATRICK WARBURTON CHARACTER! AND DAVID SPADE IS SO FUNNY….HEY THEY ALL ARE!!! WHY STOP ALL THE LAUGHS???
you people are insane. how can you cancel the funniest show on tv? cbs you suck!
Don’t cancel Rules of Engagement…please, please, please! There is such a lack of good comedies on tv now and taking R of E means even less quality shows to watch.
HORRIBLE decision….one of the most amusing sitcoms on TV. Fluid casting, great writing and the actors pull off their lines with wit and magical charm. The best episode for me so far was the broom hockey in the vacant “cookie bakery”.
Don’t cancel this show….
That sucks, but idiots tend to run the show in most industries so I guess the public shouldn’t be surprised,
plain and simple, i agrre with DebraZ. i look forward to this show every thurs. was going to purchase dvr are because i`ll be working nights, just do not understand. show is hillarious.
Give me a break! This show keeps you on your toes from beginning to end. What moron would consider canceling a winner!
This is really disappointing…I can’t understand why a show with really good ratings and a great cast and script gets the boot.! Politics Politcs
I’ve been missing this show. Please don’t cancel it. Where else I’m I going to find that much sarcastic humor?
We love Rules Of Engagement, and can’t believe that CBS would cancel this amazing and funny show. With so much crap on t.v. it makes no sense to let a popular show go! I thought CBS was smarter than this. With Big Bang, The Mentalist, Person of Interest, Both of the NCIS shows…don’t they want to keep things on a roll? So sad! Maybe the decision makers over at CBS need to be canceled!
We love rules of engagement and it is terrible that it is being cancelled. The powers that be have messed around with this show since it started. You never knew when it was going to be on and in spite of that it is still one of the funniest shows on tv. We never miss it. I hope the cancellation will be reconsidered. Except for big bang, modern family, and the middle, I really don’t find any other shows that creatively funny.
Don’t cancel Rules of Engagement. This show is so funny and very trendy. I also want to know who makes Audrey’s clothes?????
Rules of Engagement is a great show. I can’t believe you would think of cancelling it. I think getting Liz and Russell together was hilarious. I agree with the others. This is one of the funniest shows on TV – much better than most of the other comedies on right now.