RULES OF ENGAGEMENT is on the Instant Watch now…and all I can think is, “Oh dear god, that show is still on? And has received enough seasons to be put up on Netflix?”

Allow me to explain…RULES OF ENGAGEMENT is quite possibly the most heartbreaking experience with TV I’ve had in recent memory. The first three seasons are something that very few have been able to rival in my mind as far as comedy and cast chemistry  are concerned.

It was simple, it was funny, and it worked just fine the way it was. Sure no one watched it, and it almost got cancelled a few times…but you know what? I would have been fine with that. Three flawless seasons are more than most can ask for.

But no…they had to go and write the Timmy character as a new cast addition. Then, all hell broke loose.

Season four takes such a sharp and drastic nosedive I have only been able to stomach a single episode of it. It was so bad, I didn’t even finish the season. Every episode just got worse and worse and worse.

Why? Because it became the Russel and Timmy show.

Instead of allowing Russel to remain the “single” representative in the show, give him a character arch, let him grow, and derive comedy from this…they basically turned him into a cartoonishly unrealistic character who’s sole purpose was to provide Timmy a juxtaposition so that he can be the “straight man.”

Everything they had Russel do was stupid, shallow, 2-Dimensional, and worse yet…unfunny.

What happened to Jeff and Audrey storylines? Or to a lesser extent, Adam and Jennifer? The show was always more centered on these characters with Russel along for cheap laughs. Why you would make him a central focus is beyond me.

So do yourself a favor, watch seasons 1 through 3 on the Instant Watch and “Atlantic City” episode from season 4…it’s the only good one. Stop there, yell “CANCELLED” at the TV screen and watch something else.