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.
Les Moonves strikes again. To add insult to injury, CBS won’t even let the cast go out and take new pilots until the regular season is completely over. If CBS was decent, they would release the cast from their contracts after the next 2 episodes are shot, but they won’t. Howard Stern was right about Moonves.
its a cute show, likeable cast, just hitting its stride. is it the GREAT sitcom on the planet? no. sure beats Broke Girls and that crappy overrated 30 Rock..
i cant believe cbs is cancelling one of the funniest shows on tv. PLEASEEEEEEE dont cancel RULES. if they do i hope another station picks it up and bites CBS in the ASS!!!!!
i cant believe cbs has cancelled one of the funniest shows on tv. i only hope another channel is smart enough to pick it up.
Terrible idea. Patrick and David Spade are hilarious.
I enjoy this show… I hate it when ratings aren’t the reason a show gets canned. If we’re watching it, why doesn’t the network defer to the approval of the viewers? Jerks.
Given that broadcast networks are desperate to keep viewers from going off to cable, Netflix, or catching up on DVDs, what sort of thinking says, “Hey, let’s screw over a show that consistently does well in the ratings, and is actually funny.”? I could sort of understand if a big star wanted to do a show, but Rob Schneider? This is the second show for David Spade that has been cancelled, even though it was performing well (“Just Shoot Me” was his earlier show).
I also agree with MT…The ratings are good, so why get rid of it?
There are a lot of horrible shows on tv right now and they aren’t getting cancelled…this show is a good show so why cancel it??
I agree w/Vicki Lee…I love Two and a Half Men, but it’s not the same without Charlie. Ashton isn’t as funny as Charlie was.
Please keep Rules of Engagement!!
I LOVE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT AND AM SAD TO SEE IT GO 🙁
My husband and I love, love, love this show! Please keep it on! There just aren’t that many funny comedies that are worth watching anymore. If anything, cancel Two and a half Men. Tonight was actually the best since Charlie has left and that’s because Ashton wasn’t on the show much. Seriously, CBS you are so overpaying Ashton. Please keep Rules of Engagement.
It just goes to show you that some TV Executives are on the stupid side.
The show is great. If the ratings are good, just keep the damn thing on the air.
Hey CBS quit being dopey and leave the show on the air.
I’ve always watched this show. Keep it on! At least until the young engaged couple gets married. Rush that wedding if they have to.
Horrible move…this is one of my wife and I’s favorite shows.
one of my favorites. CBS making some dumb moves lately.