8 Simple Rules (originally known as 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter for its first two seasons) is an American television sitcom that originally aired on ABC from September 17, 2002 to April 15, 2005. Loosely based on humor columnist W. Bruce Cameron's book of the same name, the show starred John Ritter during its first season. After Ritter's sudden death, Katey Sagal took over the show's starring position for the rest of the series' run. In total, 76 episodes were produced, spanning three seasons.