8.6/10360 votesLoading...#1 - Goodbye
Season 2 Episode 4 - Aired 11/4/2003
Cate receives a phone call that Paul had collapsed and died in the grocery store. Later that evening, Cate's parents arrive to help them through their grief.
Director: James Widdoes
Writer: David Flebotte, Martin Weiss
8.5/10254 votesLoading...#2 - No Right Way
Season 2 Episode 5 - Aired 11/11/2003
Cate is unprepared for the diverse reactions exhibited by Bridget and Kerry on their first day back to school since their father's death. Meanwhile, Jim tries his best to be helpful by making some questionable home improvements to the Hennessy home.
Director: James Widdoes
Writer: Gayle Abrams
8.5/10183 votesLoading...#3 - Secrets
Season 3 Episode 8 - Aired 11/12/2004
Everyone fears the ringing of the phone when they all keep secrets from each other. Rory refuses to divulge the identity of the student responsible for beating him up at school. Bridget and Kerry use fake IDs to get into a club, where Bridget gives her phone number to guy, unaware that he's a police officer. Cate doesn't want the family to know that Coach Scott tries to get her to go out with him. C.J. is distracted and forgets to pick up Rory's pain medication.
Director: James Widdoes
Writer: Bonnie Kallman
8.0/10123 votesLoading...#4 - Old Flame
Season 3 Episode 15 - Aired 1/14/2005
After sending an email to former college flame Matt to see how he's been doing over the years, Cate becomes fed up with the unreasonable demands of her family and locks herself in her room for some alone time. But she's shocked when Matt shows up at her window and whisks her off to re-live some adventurous, old times.
Director: James Widdoes
Writer: Judd Pillot, John Peaslee
7.7/1099 votesLoading...#5 - Closure
Season 3 Episode 16 - Aired 1/21/2005
When Cate and C.J. discover that Kerry has been e-mailing Bruno, they secretly try to snoop in her computer to find out what the two have been up to. Unbeknownst to them, Bruno is hiding in the attic, while Bridget tries her best to talk Kerry out of doing something she may regret. Meanwhile, Jim discovers Rory's clandestine poker game and decides to deal himself in to teach Rory and his friends a lesson.
Director: James Widdoes
Writer: Seth Kurland
7.6/10192 votesLoading...#6 - Come and Knock on Our Door
Season 1 Episode 16 - Aired 1/28/2003
After discovering that boyfriend Kyle kissed Kerry at a party, Bridget gives her sister the silent treatment which is anything but quiet for Paul. But real life merges with fantasy when Paul has a dream that lands him in familiar territory, showing Kyle as a swinging bachelor living with Paul's two beautiful daughters in an apartment straight out of the 70s.
Director: James Widdoes
Writer: Bill Callahan, Philip Wen
7.6/1091 votesLoading...#7 - Princetown Girl
Season 3 Episode 11 - Aired 12/10/2004
Bridget is ecstatic when she learns that tennis scouts from Princeton are coming to her school to watch her play for a possible scholarship. But when Bridget's school forbids her to play because of a poor grade, Cate has to decide whether to use her clout as school nurse to help her daughter out. Meanwhile, Jim promises a nervous C.J. that he'll give up his room if he can spend one night alone in the attic.
Director: James Widdoes
Writer: Tamiko K. Brooks
7.6/10117 votesLoading...#8 - The After Party
Season 3 Episode 21 - Aired 3/4/2005
After turning down Bridget's request to throw an after-prom party in a hotel room, Cate decides to throw a school- sanctioned party at the house which totally embarrasses her kids. Meanwhile, Kerry tries to make a political statement by inviting a girl to the prom, and Rory is overjoyed when a hot senior asks him to the dance.
Director: Pat Fischer-Doak
Writer: Grant Nieporte, Robert Spina
7.5/10118 votesLoading...#9 - Opposites Attract (2)
Season 2 Episode 13 - Aired 2/17/2004
Bridget decides to make a move on her tutor but discovers that he may have his sights set on her debate team opponent. Meanwhile, after accidentally setting fire to C.J.'s van, Jim is not-so-thrilled when Cate forces him to share his basement room with him.
Director: James Widdoes
Writer: Paul F. Ciancarelli, David DiPietro
7.5/10188 votesLoading...#10 - First Day of School
Season 3 Episode 1 - Aired 9/24/2004
Knowing that Kerry is dragging her feet over breaking up with Kyle, Bridget takes it upon herself to do it for her sister. Meanwhile, Cate is offered the position of school nurse and Rory's first day of high school proves embarrassing when he has to hit the showers after gym class.
Director: James Widdoes
Writer: Kathy Ann Stumpe
7.5/1092 votesLoading...#11 - Car Trouble
Season 3 Episode 5 - Aired 10/22/2004
Kate gives Bridget and Kerry the keys to the minivan, provided they drive Rory wherever he needs to go. But when the girls repeatedly fail to drive him, he attempts to drive himself, wrecking the car in the process.
Director: James Widdoes
Writer: Hayes Jackson
7.5/1094 votesLoading...#12 - Coach
Season 3 Episode 7 - Aired 11/5/2004
Bridget is psyched to join the high school tennis team when she develops a crush on Coach Scott. But her infatuation soon turns to disgust when she learns that Scott has a crush on Cate. Meanwhile, Kerry and Rory begin to question the authenticity of Jim's war stories while rummaging through his war chest.
Director: James Widdoes
Writer: Laurie Gelman
7.5/1097 votesLoading...#13 - C.J.'s Temptation
Season 3 Episode 14 - Aired 1/7/2005
While Cate finds herself becoming jealous of Principal Ed Gibb's new girlfriend, C.J. is asked by Ed to help tutor Cheryl for her GEDs -- and finds himself unwittingly being hit on by her. Meanwhile, Rory feels awkward after Cate accidentally interrupts him during a private moment.
Director: James Widdoes
Writer: Steve Baldikoski, Bryan Behar
7.4/10150 votesLoading...#14 - Kerry's Big Adventure
Season 1 Episode 15 - Aired 1/21/2003
After Kerry and her boyfriend break up, Paul tries to cheer her up by getting Bridget to take her little sister with her to a party. Meanwhile, Paul and Cate try to discover what is hidden in Rory's secret box.
Director: James Widdoes
Writer: Tracy Gamble, Martin Weiss
7.4/10140 votesLoading...#15 - Kerry's Video
Season 1 Episode 21 - Aired 3/11/2003
Kerry devotes her school video project to sister Bridget to illustrate the hypocrisy that life is much easier for the beautiful people. But when Bridget discovers that the video makes her look shallow, she takes Paul's advice to enrich her life by taking up tennis again.
Director: Terry Hughes
Writer: Bonnie Kallman
7.4/10118 votesLoading...#16 - Opposites Attract (1)
Season 2 Episode 12 - Aired 2/10/2004
In need of a tutor to boost her grades, Bridget hires Jeremy, hoping to make her chance of getting into a good college better. Meanwhile, Kyle treats Kerry to an very un-corporate Valentine's Day celebration. Rory gets pointers about the perfect gift for his new girlfriend Missy. Jim sends C.J. on an errand to get a special drug in Canada.
Director: James Widdoes
Writer: Gayle Abrams
7.4/10120 votesLoading...#17 - Opposites Attract: Night of the Locust (3)
Season 2 Episode 14 - Aired 2/24/2004
After being told that she's fickle when it comes to relationships, Bridget is afraid that she may end up hurting Jeremy's feelings when her ex-boyfriend returns to town. Meanwhile, Kerry is outraged and plans revenge when provocative dancing has been banned from the high school formal, which is being chaperoned by Cate and Jim. C.J. partners with Rory to broadcast school scandals over the internet.
Director: James Widdoes
Writer: Bill Callahan, Bill Daly
7.4/1089 votesLoading...#18 - The Sub
Season 3 Episode 13 - Aired 1/7/2005
Cate is shocked to discover that Principal Gibb has hired C.J. as a substitute teacher. When C.J. catches Rory cheating on a test, he is torn about reporting it as Cate tries to persuade him to look the other way. Meanwhile, when Bridget breaks her leg because of Kerry's blunder, she makes her little sister's life a living nightmare.
Director: James Widdoes
Writer: Steve Baldikoski, Bryan Behar
7.3/10148 votesLoading...#19 - Two Boys for Every Girl
Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 11/12/2002
After Paul convinces Bridget to tell Kyle the truth about her date with another boy, Kyle breaks up with her. Meanwhile, Kerry's first date turns out to be a dream, but she is devastated when the boy doesn't call her back.
Director: James Widdoes
Writer: Bill Callahan, Philip Wen
7.3/10159 votesLoading...#20 - Give It Up
Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 11/19/2002
When no one can agree on where the family vacation should take place, Paul challenges the Hennessey clan to give up their bad habits for a week and the winner gets to choose the vacation spot. But the family's vices soon get the better of them, and secret collaborations and clandestine alliances threaten to foil the contest.
Director: James Widdoes
Writer: Martin Weiss
7.3/10164 votesLoading...#21 - Career Choices
Season 1 Episode 14 - Aired 1/7/2003
Paul and Cate are shocked when they are called into the principal's office and informed that Bridget wants to skip her college prep classes in order to become an esthetician. Meanwhile, Paul is so impressed with Kerry's sketches of The Incredible Boring Woman that he gets the principal to print them in the school newspaper.
Director: Terry Hughes
Writer: Amy Engelberg, Wendy Engelberg
7.3/10146 votesLoading...#22 - The Doyle Wedding
Season 1 Episode 26 - Aired 5/6/2003
After reluctantly inviting socially inept neighbors Fred and Mary Ellen Doyle and their kids over for dinner, Paul and Cate are shocked when the entire Hennessy clan is asked to take part in the Doyles' daughter's wedding. Meanwhile Kerry neglects to inform Bridget that geeky Donny Doyle has grown up to be a hunk, and Rory takes a part in a play as a cross-dresser in order to meet girls.
Director: Lynn M. McCracken
Writer: Rosalind Moore
7.3/10137 votesLoading...#23 - Sex Ed
Season 2 Episode 2 - Aired 9/30/2003
Bridget is horrified when Cate is asked to fill in as the sex ed instructor in her daughter's class. But Cate is in for a shock when she tries to answer a student's written question about being pressured to have sex -- and realizes it may be from Bridget. Meanwhile, Paul and Kerry are too embarrassed to look each other in the eye after watching a foreign film together that contains a sexually explicit scene.
Director: Robby Benson
Writer: Gayle Abrams
7.3/10117 votesLoading...#24 - YMCA
Season 2 Episode 9 - Aired 1/6/2004
Cate orders Kerry, Rory, and Jim join the YMCA where Bridget works.
Director: James Widdoes
Writer: Bonnie Kallman, Donald R. Beck
7.3/1096 votesLoading...#25 - Changes
Season 3 Episode 2 - Aired 10/1/2004
The kids question Cate's motives when they return from their summer getaways and discover that she has bought a new bed and changed her hairstyle. Meanwhile, after traveling through Europe over the summer, Kerry met and had a fling with a boy - which leaves Bridget jealous and Kerry wondering what to do about boyfriend Kyle; new high school Student Body President Bridget is convinced even further that life is a popularity contest after taking a trip to Washington, DC over the summer; and after a depressed Jim fails to win back the affections of his wife in Florida, Rory attempts to help him quit smoking -- which is complicated by Jim's discovery that C.J. was responsible for their irreconciliation.
Director: James Widdoes
Writer: Seth Kurland
The Best Episodes of 8 Simple Rules... for Dating My Teenage Daughter
Every episode of 8 Simple Rules... for Dating My Teenage Daughter ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of 8 Simple Rules... for Dating My Teenage Daughter!
8 Simple Rules is an American sitcom television series originally starring John Ritter and Katey Sagal as middle-class parents Paul and Cate Hennessy, raising their...
Genres:ComedyDrama
Network:ABC
Best Episodes Summary
"Goodbye" is the best rated episode of "8 Simple Rules... for Dating My Teenage Daughter". It scored 8.6/10 based on 360 votes. Directed by James Widdoes and written by David Flebotte, Martin Weiss, it aired on 11/4/2003. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "No Right Way".