Rules of Engagement has been benched. The veteran CBS comedy has been replaced by a new show from Rob Schneider. Move over David Spade, another SNL star has joined the CBS line-up.
It’s the battle of the Saturday Night Live alums! CBS is replacing the David Spade comedy Rules of Engagement with a new sitcom from Rob Schneider called ¡Rob! The freshman series will make its midseason debut on Jan. 12 in Rules‘ 8:30/7:30c timeslot.
What does this mean for Rules of Engagement’s long-term future? The comedy is a steady performer bringing in 11.6 million viewers and averaging a respectable 3.7 rating in the 18-49 demo. But that hasn’t stopped CBS from cutting a few corners. According to Deadline, they’ve adjusted their episode order from 20 to 15.
When CBS decided to pick up Rules for another season, a cutback was part of the network’s initial agreement. The show was scheduled to move to Saturdays, but after the underwhelming debut of How to be a Gentleman in Oct., they used it as a quick replacement. Rules of Engagement stepped in to the post-Big Bang Theory timeslot and drew some impressive numbers.
Due to its solid ratings, Rules of Engagement could definitely return for another season next fall. The show is currently in its sixth year and has acquired a healthy following. As for its replacement, ¡Rob!, Schneider has big shoes to fill. Similar to Rules, his show will focus on the ups and downs of relationships. The premise follows a bachelor who marries into a tight-knit Mexican-American family.
¡Rob! will co-star comedy legend Cheech Marin, Claudia Bassols, Diana Maria Riva, Eugenio Derbez and Lupe Ontiveros, who’s best know for appearing in the biopic Selena, as well as the ABC dramedy Desperate Housewives.
Photo credit: Daniel Deme / WENN
Leave a Comment