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.
Awesome show really funny.we look forward to it all week.good comedy’s are rare now, reality sucks.put both rob and rules on together.please reconsider timmy is the best!!!!
Seriously? This is one of the BEST and favorites ever! CBS needs to re-think this one and KEEP IT GOING!
Big mistake canceling this show
Stop messing with a good thing, Rules of Engagement is a great show and the new ROB show is not going to make it! Bring back Rules of Engagement!
Omg!!!!!!!! I am so friggin mad right now!!! Bring back Rules of Engagement. Its the only reason my t.v got turned on on a Thursday night ! Why dont the people get a choice
If CBS drops Rules of Engagement, the company must be run by idiots. The show is one of the few intelligently written, well acted, and truly funny shows on TV. I will not watch anything that takes its time slot.
Rules is one of the last great comedys on TV. It would tant thursday nights if it went off the air!!!
Hope all this isn’t true. Usually can’t wait to get a few laughs on my thurs nights from roe ! Hope the network didnt screw this up!
ROE makes me laugh out loud and that’s something that doesn’t happy very often with me. I find things funny yes, but laugh out loud to the point of tears funny…rarely! Big mistake not renewing the show.
This is one of the best shows and one of the very few I look forward to seen on TV. I will not watch Rob!! I hate it when networks just cancelled a show becuase of stupid politics. No wonder network television is tanking!!
I can’t believe there is any question about this show!
It is very funny and should be kept on.
bring it back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“Rules of Engagement” has been bringing to us a touch of Seinfeld — with quirky characters turning mundane, everyday experience into hilarious fun. The only difference is that there is no central character, which in this case, strengthens the show. It would be a shame to cancel this show.
It’s a great show!!!! I don’t see it’s replacement Rob lasting too long!!!!!!
Noooooo! Don’t cancel it:( it is the only time my husband and I don’t fight over the converter. Great show, great laughs! CBS keep it on the air!