Rules of Engagement

I came across this show by chance a couple years ago; long after it had been cancelled, but was immediately hooked! In many ways it reminded me of Married With Children, with I suppose Adam and Russell being the children for this show? While the humor can be a bit tedious at times, the chemistry the characters have brings a nostalgic comfort to a dying genre - the sitcom. After catching a few episodes in syndication, I sought out the show on DVD, but then quickly noticed that the entire series was on Netflix.

Patrick's comedic delivery as Jeff was spot on. Adam's incessant obliviousness wasn't wholly present during the first season, and wore a bit thin as the show went on, but I found this style of humor to be somewhat charming compared to the other characters. Then there's of course David Spade's character Russell Dunbar. He didn't really have much of an arc throughout the series, and he definitely made me laugh more often than not, but he was really more of a caricature than anything. It wasn't until his foil, Timmy (Timir) came along that I began to appreciate their banter. Audrey and Jennifer are also excellent in their respective roles, and they are great standouts in this male-oriented show. (I short-changed them quite a bit, sorry)

It's unfortunate the show only lasted five seasons. I felt I had at least a few years left; especially coming back after a year-long hiatus. There were a couple of significant breaks in continuity, Timmy's immigration status for example, but not a show-killer IMHO. I've now watched the show multiple times and continue to find things I hadn't noticed before that make me laugh.

I will really miss this show when I reach the final episode. It is the perfect show that you can put on after a hard day at work and just laugh at. There are no dark depressing aspects to this show it just aims to entertain with laughter and it definitely succeeds in doing that. There is a basic underlying storyline that helps to propel the show but it is more about the characters living out their day-to-day lives.

Jeff and Audrey are my favourite couple and live up to their stereotypes perfectly. The beer- guzzling, sports-watching neanderthal with a soft-side and his shopaholic, emotional, nagging wife. It may be over the top but it works. The rest of the core cast is also entertaining and each play their part in contributing to a stereotypical world where everyone is funny.

Try not to over think this one, just enjoy it for what it is and you'll find yourself laughing in no time.

They don't make 'em like this anymore. No, really. They don't.

This show isn't out-right hilarious like Seinfeld or It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, but it's consistently funny. The jokes are continuous, the laughs per minute ratio is high and there's nothing but comedy.

It is not some cheap, soapy drama punctuated by one-liners (How I Met Your Mother), but lots of light-hearted comedy.

It's shallow by design, light-hearted and light-spirited. There's none of that cynicism of some comedies (you know which ones), no "awwww coupley crap from rom-coms, no deeper drama, nothing of that sort. The comedy is based on making you laugh, not awkward and discomforted.

I'm sad there isn't more of this show.

Generally speaking, the plot was much better than I was expecting. The laugh track was a bit annoying at times and did tend to get in the way; however, there were enough real chuckles in this episode to make up for it. My biggest surprise was finding some of the best lines and situations were not shown in the trailers. Spade, in particular, was not presented in the best light in the earlier promotions, but his character comes across quite well in the pilot. There is is enough eye-candy to please almost anyone and all the regular characters seem up to the task ahead of them. Now, if the writers can just live up to what they have begun.

i only started watching this recently and now i'm hooked. i watched one episode just to say i had and ended up watching about 10episodes in a row. this a lot smarter than i thought, the one-liners are excellent, the characters have depth, and the story is pretty good as well. spade is good as the weaselly playboy, Hudson is good as the idiot, the women are good at being the kinda normal average women in relationships, but Patrick Warburton is the star. his timing is perfect, his delivery is excellent and he comes across a genuinely like-able guy. a guy that most guys could relate to. all in all i think there is something or someone in the show that most people can relate to and enjoy.

watch a few episodes, you be hooked!