Synopsis: John Ritter ("Three's Company") and Katey Sagal ("Married...with Children") return to series television in this charming family comedy about a loving, rational dad who suddenly discovers that his two darling daughters have unexpectedly morphed into hormonally-charged, incomprehensible teenagers.

Paul Hennessy (Ritter) has grown accustomed to his stay-at-home wife Cate (Ms. Sagal) taking care of their son and two daughters. His job as a sports writer kept him on the road a lot during the kids' formative years. But when Cate decides to return to work as a hospital nurse, Paul takes a job as a columnist and agrees to make the duties of raising the kids a shared experience.

Paul fondly remembers the days when his daughters would sit on his lap singing silly songs, and he was their hero for scaring away monsters from under the bed. But those days are long gone.

Although not new to fatherhood, Paul is just a bit rusty on day-to-day interaction and discovers that he's grown a little out of touch with his kids - especially his daughters. His value has been reduced to a wallet and a ride to the mall. Sixteen-year-old Bridget (Kaley Cuoco, "Growing Up Brady," "Ladies Man") has matured into a beautiful and popular teenager with a different boyfriend each week and a taste for fashion that tends to be a little too revealing for her father's taste.

By contrast, 15-year-old Kerry (Amy Davidson, ABC Family series "So Little Time") is intelligent and cute, but her lack of self-confidence has led her to hide behind a mask of sarcasm. Thank goodness for 13-year-old son Rory (Martin Spanjers, "Daddio"), fondly referred to as "The Boy" by Paul and Cate, who remains on the sane track...at least for the time being.

Though Bridget and Kerry still love their father, Paul has to come to grips with the fact that he is no longer the most important man in their lives at the moment. Dating boys and fitting in with their peers are the girls' top priorities. No matter what they do, Paul has one major rule that will never change - "If you make my daughters cry, I'll make you cry."

The Cast:
John Ritter as Paul Hennessy
Katey Sagal as Cate Hennessy
Kaley Cuoco as Bridget Hennessy
Amy Davidson as Kerry Hennessy
Martin Spanjers as Rory Hennessy

Production Credits:
Tracy Gamble ("Home Improvement," "The Golden Girls"), who created the series, also serves as executive producer along with Tom Shadyac ("Liar Liar," "The Nutty Professor," "Patch Adams"), Flody Suarez ("The Tick") and Michael Bostick ("Liar Liar"). "8 Simple Rules...," which is filmed before an audience, is from Touchstone Television.

Airdates:

The Episodes:
Season One Episode Guide

Season Two 2003/2004
2-1

2-2

2-3

2-4 Goodbye--11/04/2003
After learning of the unexpected death of Paul, Cate and the kids must each deal with the loss of the beloved patriarch of the Hennessy family in their own way. To help console the family, Cate's parents (James Garner and Suzanne Pleshette) - who are separated -- put aside their marital differences and help the family through their time of need. John Ratzenberger and Cindy Williams return as the Hennessy's pesty neighbors, the Doyles, Patrick Warburton reprises his role as Paul's newspaper boss, and Larry Miller appears as Paul's co-worker and Kyle's father, Tommy.
Written by: David Flebotte & Martin Weiss, and Bonnie Kallman & Tracy Gamble.
Directed by: James Widdoes
Guest stars: James Garner as Jim, Suzanne Pleshette as Laura, Larry Miller as Tommy, John Ratzenberger as Fred Doyle, Cindy Williams as Mary Ellen Doyle, Billy Aaron Brown as Kyle, Patrick Warburton as Nick Sharpe and Nikki Danielle Moore as Jenna Sharpe.

2- Opposites Attract (Part One)--02/10/2004
Bridget hires Jeremy (Jonathan Taylor Thomas, "Home Improvement") - a socially inept, fellow student - to tutor her in order to boost her grades to better her chances at being accepted by a good college. But with Valentine's Day fast approaching, Bridget soon finds herself without a date when her boyfriend gets sick, and her friends begin to wonder if Jeremy is taking his place. Meanwhile, Kyle treats Kerry to an very un-corporate Valentine's Day celebration, Rory gets pointers from Jim and Cate about the perfect gift for girlfriend Missy, and Jim sends C.J. on an errand that lands him in Canada.
Written by: Gayle Abrahms
Directed by: James Widdoes
Guest stars: Billy Aaron Brown as Kyle, Jonathan Taylor Thomas as Jeremy, Nikki Danielle Moore as Jenna, Daniella Monet as Missy, Deborah Levin as teacher and Patrick Harrigan as flower vendor.