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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed shows.
Rules Of Engagement
EMAILPRINTSERIES: CBS, Monday 9:30p (30 minutes)

Generally unfavorable reviews
Based on 27 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 75 votes
Read user comments
Rate this show >
Show Info
Genre(s): Comedy
Created By: Tom Hertz
First Air Date: February 5, 2007
Summary
Starring Oliver Hudson, Bianca Kajlich, Megyn Price, David Spade, and Patrick Warburton
This sitcom about relationships centers on a married couple, an engaged couple, and a single man. It's even less engaging than it sounds.
Episode Guide & More Info: More about this show at TV.com
Also On The Web: Official Show Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Los Angeles TimesRobert Lloyd
It may be seen as a kinder, gentler, funnier cousin to Fox's bitter " 'Til Death."
Read Full Review >VarietyBrian Lowry
Two of the first three episodes [reveal] an assured, risque, semi-cynical air that should dovetail nicely with "Two and a Half Men."
Read Full Review >San Francisco ChronicleTim Goodman
You might not remember to record it every week, but if you stumble upon it, you might stay.
Read Full Review >Christian Science Monitor
Pity Patrick Warburton whose dour delivery is the brightest spot in this half hour. He clearly feels trapped, but not by his marriage.
Read Full Review >Entertainment WeeklyGillian Flynn
Rules is similar to Fox's grimly unamusing comedy 'Til Death, but it has one major advantage: deadpan, rubbery Patrick Warburton.
Read Full Review >Chicago TribuneMaureen Ryan
At no point will you feel like scratching your own eyes out rather than sitting through an episode. So there’s that.
Read Full Review >The New York TimesAlessandra Stanley
It’s not a groundbreaking new series by any means, but it has some redeeming virtues.
Read Full Review >USA TodayRobert Bianco
Rules is one of those sitcoms that makes people who hate sitcoms hate sitcoms.
Read Full Review >Newark Star-LedgerAlan Sepinwall
Having two nearly identical, equally mediocre sitcoms on the air at the same time isn't exactly a crime, but it seems an awful waste of someone's time and energy.
Read Full Review >TV GuideMatt Roush
Rules would be more engaging if it weren't so familiar, but there is at least one consistently hilarious performance: Patrick Warburton.
Read Full Review >New York MagazineJohn Leonard
When it isn’t slamming bedroom doors in a high-rise apartment house in ostensible Manhattan (just like Mad About You except without the charm) or meeting for heavy innuendos at the corner diner (just like Seinfeld except without the writers), Rules reiterates Til Death’s take on marriage.
Read Full Review >Chicago Sun-TimesDoug Elfman
"Rules" and "'Til Death" bear exactly the same ups and downs. The ups: essentially a good cast, plus sporadic funny lines. The downs: many un-funny lines, plus rehashed storylines from a thousand episodes of married-life sitcoms dating all the way back to "The Honeymooners."
Read Full Review >Detroit Free PressMike Duffy
A ho-hum traditional sitcom filled with formula banter and cliched cuteness.
Read Full Review >People WeeklyTom Gliatto
Everything has the familiar mechanical deadness of a sitcom assembled from old ideas. [12 Feb 2007, p.39]
San Jose Mercury NewsCharlie McCollum
There isn't a single new comedy idea in any of the upcoming episodes, and in some scenes, you practically can yell out the punch line before the characters get to it.
Read Full Review >Seattle Post-IntelligencerMelanie McFarland
Besides making every aspect of dating and mating look depressing, it's hard to come up with a reason to spend time with any of these characters.
Read Full Review >Baltimore SunDavid Zurawik
Let's hope Rules is just a misguided piece of fluff that disappears after a dozen episodes - and not a bellwether series trying to tell us something about how our lives have changed for the worse.
Read Full Review >LA WeeklyRobert Abele
The series quickly begins to resemble one of those fake sitcoms you’d see in a snide movie that likes to take easy potshots at low culture.
Read Full Review >New York Daily NewsDavid Hinckley
"Rules of Engagement" is no more believable than it is amusing, and it's never amusing.
Read Full Review >Pittsburgh Post-GazetteRob Owen
Besides being uninspired, "Rules" isn't all that funny.
Read Full Review >SalonHeather Havrilesky
The story lines are every bit as insufferable as the punch lines.
Read Full Review >Washington PostTom Shales
No one in the cast is likely to be your new favorite actor.
Read Full Review >Boston GlobeMatthew Gilbert
While TV comedy is getting good again, the network has decided it's time to resurrect the groan-inducing cliches of stinky sitcoms to remind us of just how truly rancid the genre can get.
Read Full Review >New York PostLinda Stasi
Everyone involved in creating this show should be forced to immediately seek other forms of employment. This business is not - repeat, not - for you.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this show is 8.1 (out of 10) based on 75 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
MJ gave it a10:
Why in the hell would you cancell one of the funniest tv sit coms???????? and leave sh like how i met your mother and tons of other crap on?? Who the hell votes here.
Michelle K. gave it a10:
I know I am crazy but the critics are supposed to be sane and intelligent. I am not seeing either here. Rules of Engagement is laugh-out-loud hilarious and VERY inspired. CBS has got a FANTASTIC line-up on Monday nights and should keep it that way. Most of us have enough drama and stress in our lives and cherish the chance to laugh. Keep it up CBS and don't listen to these critic dolts. We are your audience and we love Rules of Engagement!!
weston w. gave it a10:
I don't understand why critics hate this show. My second favorite show on TV (second to the office of course). This is the only show on TV that actually makes me laugh out loud.
Nigel N. gave it a4:
This is pretty lousy. I viewed a couple of episodes from season 1 and am surprised it is being renewed for a third season. This isn't funny; Patrick Warburton is the only silver lining on this show. Bianca Kajlich is pretty. Megan Pryce, with her experience from Grounded, would be more than a factor in this show but she just plays Jeff's wife. Too formulaic and dull for me.
BJ A. gave it a10:
I love this show. I laugh non-stop while it's on. I am having a hard time believing the critics' review. Are they nuts or are they just jaded? It's a great show!
Gail S. gave it a10:
This was the best half hour on tv. Please get it back on the air and get rid of the poor replacement shows.
William P. gave it a10:
I really liked this show.I liked all of the characters.The critics would'nd know entertainment if it sat on their face and wiggled.
