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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 8.5/10

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

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  1. #1 Worst Episode
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    8 Simple Rules Season 2 Episode 9 - YMCA
    6.0/10(4 votes)

    #1 - YMCA

    S2:E9

    Cate orders Kerry, Rory, and Jim join the YMCA where Bridget works.

    Director:James Widdoes
    Writers:Bonnie Kallman, Donald R. Beck

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  2. 8 Simple Rules Season 1 Episode 18 - Drummer Boy (2)
    6.3/10(4 votes)

    #2 - Drummer Boy (2)

    S1:E18

    Bridget takes the car and follows her older boyfriend, drum instructor Ben, to his college dorm.

    Director:James Widdoes
    Writer:Janis Hirsch

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  3. 8 Simple Rules Season 2 Episode 10 - Get Real
    6.3/10(4 votes)

    #3 - Get Real

    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

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  4. 8 Simple Rules Season 1 Episode 4 - Wings
    6.5/10(4 votes)

    #4 - Wings

    S1:E4

    Bridget takes drastic measures when an overprotective Paul keeps coming up with excuses to delay her from taking her driver's test. Meanwhile, after convincing a less-than-confident Kerry that she has the talent to enter an art competition, Paul is shocked and Kerry is devastated when her submission is rejected.

    Director:James Widdoes
    Writers:Bill Daly, Bonnie Kallman

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  5. 8 Simple Rules Season 1 Episode 6 - Cheerleader
    6.5/10(4 votes)

    #5 - Cheerleader

    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

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  6. 8 Simple Rules Season 1 Episode 12 - All I Want for Christmas
    6.5/10(4 votes)

    #6 - All I Want for Christmas

    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

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    The 20 BEST Episodes of 8 Simple Rules

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  7. 8 Simple Rules Season 2 Episode 1 - Premiere
    6.5/10(4 votes)

    #7 - Premiere

    S2:E1

    Bridget finds her popularity waning because of her exclusive, long distance relationship with Donny, while Kerry's social status skyrockets because of her relationship with Kyle. But Bridget's eyes begin to stray when she meets new kid Damian. Meanwhile, as she waits for the results of her pregnancy test, Cate is stunned when Paul, Bridget, Kerry and Rory seem more concerned about how the baby could disrupt their lives than the blessed event itself.

    Director:James Widdoes
    Writer:Tracy Gamble

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  8. 8 Simple Rules Season 2 Episode 5 - No Right Way
    6.5/10(4 votes)

    #8 - No Right Way

    S2:E5

    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

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  9. 8 Simple Rules Season 2 Episode 7 - The First Thanksgiving
    6.5/10(4 votes)

    #9 - The First Thanksgiving

    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

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  10. 8 Simple Rules Season 2 Episode 17 - Let's Keep Going (1)
    6.5/10(4 votes)

    #10 - Let's Keep Going (1)

    S2:E17

    Cate sends Bridget and Kerry to their grandmother's house for a visit after the Hennessys decide against vacationing at the family cabin. But while on their road trip to grandma's, the girls are shocked to find Cate at their father's favorite saloon with a mysterious stranger. Meanwhile, Kerry makes Rory's life miserable when she discovers that he has a crush on her friend, Rachel.

    Director:James Widdoes
    Writer:Martin Weiss

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  11. 8 Simple Rules Season 2 Episode 18 - Let's Keep Going (2)
    6.5/10(4 votes)

    #11 - Let's Keep Going (2)

    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

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  12. 8 Simple Rules Season 3 Episode 2 - Changes
    6.5/10(4 votes)

    #12 - Changes

    S3:E2

    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

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  13. 8 Simple Rules Season 3 Episode 4 - Out of the Box
    6.5/10(4 votes)

    #13 - Out of the Box

    S3:E4

    Kerry is livid when Bridget unintentionally makes a mockery out of her art project at the mall. But she forgets about Bridget when a fellow artist asks her out on a date. While C.J. finds himself striking out at speed dating, Jim discovers that he's a hit with the ladies.

    Director:James Widdoes
    Writer:Martin Weiss

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  14. 8 Simple Rules Season 3 Episode 5 - Car Trouble
    6.5/10(4 votes)

    #14 - Car Trouble

    S3:E5

    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

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  15. 8 Simple Rules Season 3 Episode 6 - Halloween
    6.5/10(4 votes)

    #15 - Halloween

    S3:E6

    Kerry doubts Bridget's ability to put together the school's Halloween party as part of her Student Body President duties. C.J. is hired as the party's security guard and sets his sights on catching Rory pulling off a prank. Jim finds himself under attack by the neighborhood kids when he refuses to hand out candy to the trick-or-treaters.

    Director:Lynn M. McCracken
    Writers:Bryan Behar, Steve Baldikoski

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  16. 8 Simple Rules Season 3 Episode 11 - Princetown Girl
    6.5/10(4 votes)

    #16 - Princetown Girl

    S3:E11

    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

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  17. 8 Simple Rules Season 3 Episode 18 - Freaky Friday
    6.5/10(4 votes)

    #17 - Freaky Friday

    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

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  18. 8 Simple Rules Season 1 Episode 5 - Son-In-Law
    6.8/10(4 votes)

    #18 - Son-In-Law

    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

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  19. 8 Simple Rules Season 1 Episode 9 - Two Boys for Every Girl
    6.8/10(4 votes)

    #19 - Two Boys for Every Girl

    S1:E9

    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
    Writers:Bill Callahan, Philip Wen

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  20. 8 Simple Rules Season 1 Episode 11 - Paul Meets His Match
    6.8/10(4 votes)

    #20 - Paul Meets His Match

    S1:E11

    Paul becomes quick friends with his new editor Nick when he discovers they both are married fathers of teenage girls. But Paul soon learns that they both have the reputation of being an overprotective psycho dad. Meanwhile, Paul wants to make Thanksgiving a family affair, and forbids Bridget and Kerry from inviting their boyfriends.

    Director:James Widdoes
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. 8 Simple Rules Season 1 Episode 14 - Career Choices
    6.8/10(4 votes)

    #21 - Career Choices

    S1:E14

    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
    Writers:Amy Engelberg, Wendy Engelberg

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  22. 8 Simple Rules Season 1 Episode 21 - Kerry's Video
    6.8/10(4 votes)

    #22 - Kerry's Video

    S1:E21

    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

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  23. 8 Simple Rules Season 1 Episode 22 - Good Moms Gone Wild
    6.8/10(4 votes)

    #23 - Good Moms Gone Wild

    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

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  24. 8 Simple Rules Season 1 Episode 23 - Career Woman
    6.8/10(4 votes)

    #24 - Career Woman

    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

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  25. 8 Simple Rules Season 1 Episode 25 - Bake Sale
    6.8/10(5 votes)

    #25 - Bake Sale

    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

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Worst Episodes Summary

"YMCA" is the worst rated episode of "8 Simple Rules". It scored 6/10 based on 4 votes. Directed by James Widdoes and written by Bonnie Kallman, Donald R. Beck, it aired on 1/6/2004. This episode scored 0.3 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Drummer Boy (2)".