8 Simple Rules backdrop
Comedy•Drama

The Worst Episodes of 8 Simple Rules

Every episode of 8 Simple Rules ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of 8 Simple Rules!

Binge this in 1d 3h•Peaking at 8.6/10

Paul and Cate are raising their three children -- Bridget, Kerry and Rory -- which is no easy task. Oldest daughter Bridget is traversing the dating scene. Kerry is cute and smart, but she has

Airs on
ABC
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons3

All123

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Worst Episode
    Click to reveal
    8 Simple Rules Season 1 Episode 23 - Career Woman
    6.8/10(162 votes)

    S1:E23

    Paul's job as parental guardian becomes more of a full-time position when Cate is up for a promotion and has to spend more time at the hospital. After Paul introduces Rory to baseball card collecting, Rory trades the cards for something not exactly associated with the sport.

    Director:Mark Cendrowski
    Writer:Rosalind Moore

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. 8 Simple Rules Season 2 Episode 7 - The First Thanksgiving
    6.8/10(143 votes)

    S2:E7

    While Cate plans to raise the family spirits with a special Thanksgiving dinner, Rory takes it upon himself to be the man of the house by looking after Bridget and Kerry.

    Director:James Widdoes
    Writer:Bonnie Kallman

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. 8 Simple Rules Season 2 Episode 18 - Let's Keep Going (2)
    6.8/10(129 votes)

    S2:E18

    Upon discovering Cate in the arms of Artie, Bridget and Kerry decide to blow off their planned trip to their grandmother's and take to the open road to sort out their feelings. Meanwhile, Rory continues to pine for Rachel Sharpe, who confesses her true feelings for him.

    Director:James Widdoes
    Writer:Martin Weiss

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. 8 Simple Rules Season 1 Episode 7 - Trick or Treehouse
    6.9/10(194 votes)

    S1:E7

    Paul seems to be the only one looking forward to a family Halloween, as Bridget, Kerry and Rory make plans to spend the spooky evening away from home and with their friends. But Paul's wish to relive the past by having the family get together for one last Halloween campout in the old treehouse may turn out to be the biggest nightmare of the evening.

    Director:James Widdoes
    Writer:Bonnie Kallman

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. 8 Simple Rules Season 1 Episode 20 - Every Picture Tells A Story
    6.9/10(178 votes)

    S1:E20

    When Paul is asked by race car driver Carter Tibbits (Jason Priestley, "Beverly Hills 90210") to write a book about him, Paul brings the family to Tibbits' mansion to meet the driving legend and his sarcastically dry-witted butler, Cody (Robert Guillaume, "Benson," "Sports Night") -- who used to be Carter's crew chief. But a misunderstanding leads Rory to steal a photo from Carter's room, and it's Paul who's under suspicion when a security camera catches him trying to return the item.

    Director:Mark Cendrowski
    Writer:David Flebotte

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. 8 Simple Rules Season 2 Episode 8 - The Story of Anne Frank and Skeevy
    6.9/10(139 votes)

    S2:E8

    After Cate encourages Bridget to participate in extracurricular activities to beef up her college resume, Bridget shocks the family by landing the lead in the high school production of the story of Anne Frank. Rory's obsession with a dummy named Skeevy becomes a little unnerving for the Hennessy clan.

    Director:James Widdoes
    Writers:Tracy Gamble, Bonnie Kallman

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 BEST Episodes of 8 Simple Rules

    READ
  7. 8 Simple Rules Season 3 Episode 22 - The Teachers Lounge
    6.9/10(107 votes)

    S3:E22

    Officially a full-time teacher, C.J. is overjoyed to finally get access to the teachers' lounge. But he soon finds himself being bullied out of the room by the school's overzealous Home Ec instructor. Rory wants to impress a girl, so Bridget and Kerry take it upon themselves to give him a full-fledged makeover.

    Director:James Widdoes
    Writers:Paul F. Ciancarelli, David DiPietro

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. 8 Simple Rules Season 1 Episode 2 - Wall of Shame
    7.0/10(231 votes)

    S1:E2

    Paul is left home alone with the kids while Cate is at a seminar on the day of the big Michigan/Ohio State football game. But much to Paul's dismay, the game soon takes a backseat when Bridget is accused of shoplifting and Kerry gets upset over her latest cause.

    Director:James Widdoes
    Writer:Michael Langworthy

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. 8 Simple Rules Season 1 Episode 12 - All I Want for Christmas
    7.0/10(186 votes)

    S1:E12

    Paul tries to find perfect gifts for the family to make up for last year's Christmas fiasco. Kerry finds a stray dog during the holidays. Cate is overjoyed when she is asked to sing a solo at the church's midnight service, but fears that seeing her family there will make her nervous.

    Director:James Widdoes
    Writer:Christy Jacobs White

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. 8 Simple Rules Season 1 Episode 19 - Cool Parent
    7.0/10(174 votes)

    S1:E19

    After a party at Tommy's house is broken up by the police, Paul chastises his friend and unwittingly volunteers to host the next one. But when the party gets out of control too, the kids think of him as a cool parent, while the neighborhood parents think he's just as unreliable as Tommy.

    Director:James Widdoes
    Writers:Paul F. Ciancarelli, David DiPietro

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. 8 Simple Rules Season 1 Episode 24 - Queen Bees and King Bees
    7.0/10(164 votes)

    S1:E24

    Bridget and Paul are surprised to find themselves in similar situations when they are both alienated in their social circles. But they devise a plan to settle the score, leading Paul to crash a poker game with Tommy to get closer to boss Nick, and Bridget trying to break up ex-boyfriend Kyle and her nemesis Jenna.

    Director:James Widdoes
    Writer:Martin Weiss

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. 8 Simple Rules Season 2 Episode 20 - Mother's Day
    7.0/10(134 votes)

    S2:E20

    After witnessing some strange behavior from Bridget and Kerry, Cate tries to find out what they are up to. Meanwhile, C.J. and Rory doubt Jim's ability to put an engine back together after he falls in love with a classic car.

    Director:Pat Fischer-Doak
    Writers:Robert Spina, Grant Nieporte

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. 8 Simple Rules Season 3 Episode 18 - Freaky Friday
    7.0/10(116 votes)

    S3:E18

    After falling asleep while watching Freaky Friday, Cate awakens to find that she and Bridget have switched bodies. C.J. and Jim have also trade places as well as Rory and his hamster. Only Kerry is spared and enjoys their predicament.

    Director:James Widdoes
    Writer:W. Bruce Cameron

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. 8 Simple Rules Season 1 Episode 5 - Son-In-Law
    7.1/10(199 votes)

    S1:E5

    A sports-struck Paul lets Bridget do whatever she wants when she starts dating Travis, star basketball player and son of baseball legend Steve Smith. Meanwhile Kerry resents the fact that Paul still thinks of her as a little girl.

    Director:James Widdoes
    Writers:Tracy Gamble, Martin Weiss

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. 8 Simple Rules Season 1 Episode 6 - Cheerleader
    7.1/10(194 votes)

    S1:E6

    Bridget is ecstatic when the cheerleading squad has an opening for a new member. But after telling Kerry that she is not cut out to be a cheerleader, Bridget is completely dumbfounded when her sister tries out and is chosen for the team. Meanwhile, Paul tries in vain to wean Rory off video games and introduce him to the world of books.

    Director:James Widdoes
    Writers:Paul F. Ciancarelli, David DiPietro

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. 8 Simple Rules Season 1 Episode 17 - Drummer Boy (1)
    7.1/10(178 votes)

    S1:E17

    Bridget defies the rules of the house after Paul forbids her from going out on a date with Ben, her college-age drum instructor. Meanwhile, Kerry is mad at Cate when her ex-boyfriend confesses that he thinks her mother is pretty.

    Director:James Widdoes
    Writer:Bill Daly

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. 8 Simple Rules Season 1 Episode 22 - Good Moms Gone Wild
    7.1/10(166 votes)

    S1:E22

    While vacationing in Florida at Cate's parents' home, Paul and Cate catch Bridget and Kerry on the news partying with a group of Spring Breakers. But the news runs archival footage that features a young Cate letting loose in a bar. Meanwhile, a jealous Paul meets Cate's college boyfriend Byron and Rory befriends an elderly gentleman whose stories about World War II turn out to be more fiction than fact.

    Director:James Widdoes
    Writers:Bill Callahan, Philip Wen

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. 8 Simple Rules Season 1 Episode 25 - Bake Sale
    7.1/10(166 votes)

    S1:E25

    For a health class assignment, Bridget and Kyle have to take care of a sack of flour as if it were a baby. Kerry and Rory bake cookies for the Great American Bake Sale to help put an end to childhood hunger in America.

    Director:James Widdoes
    Writer:Kim Friese

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. 8 Simple Rules Season 2 Episode 10 - Get Real
    7.1/10(142 votes)

    S2:E10

    The Hennessy household and Jim are thrown for a loop when Cate's wayward nephew C.J. stops by to pay his respects to Paul and generally keep them company.

    Director:James Widdoes
    Writers:Seth Kurland, Ric Swartzlander

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. 8 Simple Rules Season 2 Episode 12 - Opposites Attract (1)
    7.1/10(138 votes)

    S2:E12

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. 8 Simple Rules Season 2 Episode 15 - Daddy's Girl
    7.1/10(145 votes)

    S2:E15

    On the advice of the family therapist, Cate is encouraged to pursue her dream of becoming a singer. Meanwhile, C.J. and Jim find themselves trying to bond in a bar when Cate encourages C.J. to take his grandfather out after he is dumped by his wife in a letter. Kerry angers Bridget by dying her hair blonde after she complains that the romance is fading from her relationship with Kyle.

    Director:James Widdoes
    Writers:Tracy Gamble, David Flebotte

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. 8 Simple Rules Season 2 Episode 19 - C.J.'s Party
    7.1/10(132 votes)

    S2:E19

    Cate banishes C.J. and grounds Bridget for going to C.J.'s college keg party. Jim has to take a written drivers exam after being pulled over with an expired license.

    Director:James Widdoes
    Writer:Martin Weiss

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. 8 Simple Rules Season 3 Episode 17 - Volleybrawl
    7.1/10(102 votes)

    S3:E17

    Cate's alleged antics at Kerry's volleyball game threaten to make her team forfeit the match. Meanwhile, C.J. has a crush on Kerry's volleyball coach and Bridget becomes upset when one of her friends begins dating her ex-boyfriend.

    Director:Barnet Kellman
    Writer:Hayes Jackson

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. 8 Simple Rules Season 3 Episode 20 - C.J.'s Real Dad
    7.1/10(116 votes)

    S3:E20

    C.J. is shocked and delighted when he meets his biological father for the first time. But Jim doesn't trust the man and thinks he may have ulterior motives for the visit.

    Director:James Widdoes
    Writer:Rob Hanning

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  25. 8 Simple Rules Season 3 Episode 24 - Ditch Day
    7.1/10(136 votes)

    S3:E24

    After C.J. discovers that Cate may be starting a relationship with Principal Gibb, he blabs it to Bridget. An angry Cate has Gibb put C.J. in charge of the student detention on Ditch Day, and C.J. gets even by detaining Bridget. Because she is stuck in detention and can't complete the Ditch Day prank herself, Bridget convinces Kerry and Rory to steal the rival school's mascot.

    Director:James Widdoes
    Writer:Jeremiah Leibowitz

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Worst Episodes Summary

"Career Woman" is the worst rated episode of "8 Simple Rules". It scored 6.8/10 based on 162 votes. Directed by Mark Cendrowski and written by Rosalind Moore, it aired on 3/28/2003. This episode scored 0.0 points lower than the second lowest rated, "The First Thanksgiving".