The long-running comedy is back with some changes for Russell.
It’s hard to believe CBS’s under the radar multi-cam sitcom Rules of Engagement has lived to see its sixth season. Not unlike According to Jim, Rules has defied critics, changes in timeslots and a general lack of awareness to keep on trucking. Bucking its lazy label, the season opens with some change right out of the gate. At the diner, Jeff and Audrey and Adam and Jennifer find out through Timmy’s gleeful prodding that Russell’s cruise vacation has yielded some juicy news. Onboard, Russell admits he ran into cat-lady neighbor Liz (Wendi McLendon-Covey) and after some drinking, their argument about whether it’s the size that matters or really the motion in the ocean was solved by some hands on experiments. That grosses the couples out so much they all forsake breakfast, but Timmy prods more until Russell admits he got hitched to Liz too.
Thinking it was just a goof, Russell is appalled to find out the marriage is indeed legal when his new wife saunters in with a wedding ring (purchased for herself) and her new driver’s license with the added Dunbar name. Of course, Russell turns to the smirking Timmy for a way out and they determine that the marriage can be annulled because it was never consummated post ceremony. Russell heads to Liz’s asking to end the marriage but she strips naked in the kitchen and bang, the loophole is now closed. Weakened by Liz’s seduction, he next tries persuading her wearing a blindfold but Liz quickly gets him to take it off when she admits she’s moving into his place. Once the blindfold is off, Russell succumbs again and it looks like the nuptials are going to last for the near future.
Do we care that Russell is now part of the ball and chain gang? It might be a fun change and Covey (of Reno 911 fame) is certainly a worthy foil for Spade’s schtick. Will it last long? Don’t count on it.
Meanwhile, Audrey finds out that Jennifer and Adam often partake in dirty talk. Inspired, Audrey decides to initiate some bedroom fun that night and asks Jeff to throw some dirty talk her way. As always Warburton is better than the material and he awkwardly maneuvers Jeff through a truly awkward clinical narration that douses Audrey’s flame. She hands him back the remote and his hoagie and it’s lights out.
The next day Jeff asks a badly tanned Adam to give him some advice. Adam tells Jeff to just say the filthiest things he can and that will get Audrey’s motor running. That night Jeff tries to initiate with some whispered words and Audrey is instead deeply offended. She wants fun and sexy not gross and disgusting.
The following night, Jeff gives it one more try and at Audrey’s prompt to say whatever he’s thinking, he blurts out “there’s no way in hell your parents are staying with us for Christmas.” They agree dirty talk is absolutely not Jeff’s thing. Overall, it’s a pretty slight storyline but Warburton sells it well. The weakest link is Adam’s half-faced roof tan that just makes him look stupid, as usual.
As sitcoms go, Rules isn’t the worst out there but it’s certainly not changing the medium or challenging it. The cast has gelled nicely over the years but in the end they’re all still better than the material they’re given to work with.
This review originally appeared on TV Geek Army.