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.
I think that CBS should reconsider keeping the show since there never have been greatly rated shows in that time slot. It’s better than some other shows on any network.
I’m SO ANGRY AND DISAPPOINTED THAT THEY WOULD CANCEL THIS SHOW!
It’s seriously one of the only truly funny and original sitcoms left on television (along with Modern Family of course). The chemistry of all the actors is just so perfect and very rare to find. I’ve seen way too many ‘dud’ sitcoms lately and they need to keep Rules of Engagement!
This show is consistantly funny. Yes the smarmy character is overly smarmy but it is needed as a foil for the other characters. “Jeff” is delightfully dumb, I think I have known guys like him. The characters in this show for the most part are reasonably real. My favorite actor has to be Oliver and I hope this show is renewed.
Best programme around and with solid ratings so why take it off. What do CBS want ?
Probably their 2nd best comedy behind Big Bang Theory, can’t believe they are canceling.
I’m sorry but with numbers Rules is pulling in, it should not be cancelled. It has a loyal fan base, and very good numbers. It’s a great show. Please don’t cancel this show CBS.
I will be so upset if this show is done! I look forward to it every week! Why do the channels take off the good shows and leave some bad ones on?
This is a great show. Maybe they have it confused with Up All Night.
Great show and I cannot fathom why CBS would cancel it while keeping sit Comsat like tw broke girls which is lame with very poor acting
I’m shock what a good comedy series,like king of queens, and Seinfeld what a mistake by the Net Work (maybe wrong time slot) a same. FZ
This show is great I hate to see it go. One of the better shows on. Network execs don’t seem to watch their own channels or they would see this is a great show.
I think the show is pretty funny and its got great ratings! I’m at a loss as to why CBS has cancelled it. Hopefully another network will pick it up. Gonna miss Megan Price she’s a babe!
This show is awesome…hilarious…it sickens me to hear that the shoe has been cancelled especially as good as its doing in the ratings…CBS you are starting to annoy me
I love Rules of Engagement and I look forward to it every week. Have the execs even seen this funny comedy? Are they unaware of what good witty writing with engaging characters is all about? And it’s been a solid ratings performer for years, doing even better now than before and increased its audience share even over last week. It’s just baffling… I’ll bet some other network would love to pick it up if CBS is crazy enough to let it go.
i agree with steven. this show is fresh and funny. i, too, am becoming annoyed with cbs. the show that is replacing it does not look appealing to me at all and i probably won’t even give it a chance. leave “rules” on and bring back “…old christine”. i can also do without “2 broke girls” and “mike and molly” there are way too many choices in television entertainment for me to feel the need to stay loyal to cbs. you are striking out once again.
This is insane. Before long, there will be nothing to watch… this is why I have abandoned cable tv altogether and have subscribed to netflix. These networks don’t want to pay for great talent and production anymore… and this is why we have all the cheap reality shows.
Rules of Engagement will be missed.
How about CBS dump some of the top-heavy corp execs, so the show can stay on? Or, get rid of some of the plethora of reality crap.