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.
Yes it should be allowed another season. Even more than just one more. My husband and i love the show. They keep taking good shows off and putting stupid ones in its place or they keep renewing seasons for dumb and boring shows
So they’ll cancel this show and keep the jumped the shark disaster that is Two and a Half Men? Real smart business move.
Les Moonves was ceo of CBS when he got rid of Howard Stern
Les Moonves was ceo of CBS when they fired Charlie Sheen
Les Moonves is ceo of CBS which is the only network that fights online streaming on so many fronts, including on demand for your cable.
Does anybody see a common problem with CBS?
PLEASE do not cancel this show ! We love it! They still have many avenues to explore in their storylines…
Great show, should not be cancelled.
Really don’t care for (fake) reality shows, need more like this one and less of them.
Everyone I know in my life is addicted to this show. Hysterically a laugh out loud moment with every episodes. It wouldn’t make any sense to remove this show. Please consider how sad everyone would be if this show is gone 🙁
Do NOT cancel this show. It;s the funniest show on TV. Period.
This is a great show…please keep it on the air my husband and I just love it.
please don’t cancel a truly funny show….OMG. There are so few left on TV.
please bring this show back.my husband loves this show.
come on this is a great show if you need to loose a show take off two and a half men it sucks without charlie
I love the show, i think it is great. i hope it stays on theair, my husband and i missed it when it was not in place of rob, which we will not miss. we are team rules of engagement.
Come on! This show is super funny and deserves another full season,
This is the funniest show on TV! I tell all my friends about it but, sadly so few have seen it. I hope CBS will keep it and I hope more people will watch it. This show is my weekly laugh tonic!
The show is fantastic and the cast are brilliant! With all their own unique attributes that complement each other. We love it in the UK and with the show pulling in so many viewers over the years and then having an increase of 16% its illogical to stop such a great show! I’m always watching re-runs and would love to see many more seasons. So please don’t cancel it.