Proctor Academy
Encyclopedia
Proctor Academy is a coeducational, independent preparatory
boarding school
for grades 9-12 located on 3000 acres (12.1 km²) in Andover, New Hampshire
.
The academy opened its doors in August 1848, on the second floor of the church on Main Street, with many of the desks, chairs and chalkboards donated by the Butterfields. Mrs. Eliza Butterfield set up the curriculum
with Dyer H. Sanborn as the principal and Miss Eliza Wingate as "preceptress". The first term had 43 girls and 65 boys enrolled, but within four years the school had grown to just over 250 students.
The school year was set up into four terms of twelve weeks each. The tuition rate, per quarter, was:
The curriculum the first year included: English, Latin, Greek Literature, Mathematics, Morals, Natural and Intellectual Science, Modern Languages, Drawing & Painting, Music, Elocution, Vocal Music, and Penmanship.
In 1850, Ancient Languages, Surveying, Instrumental Music, and Chemistry were added. In 1852, Book-keeping, Theoretical & Practical Surveying, and Pen Drawing were added, and a library was established.
took over for the next two years as principal. Under Morse, the student body more than doubled, as chemistry
was added to the curriculum and the guaranty fund reached $3,000. Woodbury Langdon, Luther Puffer (law student), and John Simonds were some of the first graduates to go on to college
. After Principal Morse stepped down, Thaddeus W. Bruce (1852–1853) of Dartmouth College
took the helm with Miss Marcia Foster as assistant (which whom later married). Around this time future world-renowned artist David Dalhoff Neal
also attended classes. George Dustan took over as principal in 1854 when the school fell victim to a smallpox
outbreak, in which one of the teachers and a former student died.
The smallpox
epidemic in 1854-1855 forced the school to close, and for the next three decades the school struggled with its identity and funding. In 1857, the school reopened its doors as the New England Christian Literary and Biblical Institute, then again in 1860 as the Andover Christian Institute. In 1865, the school was closed and reopened in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire
as the Wolfeboro Christian Institute.
As the school struggled, former Andover resident John Proctor, the inventor of the threaded wood screw, returned, in 1857, to build up the town. By the 1870s Proctor helped to return the school to Andover, debt-free, as well as build a new dormitory
on the site of modern-day Gannett House. In 1879, the Unitarian Church
sought to purchase the Andover school in order to create a school "free from...theological dogmatizing and unnatural religious methods." Andover was a hotbed of Unitarian thought, which helped to facilitate the sale of the school. In 1881, the school was opened as Proctor Academy in honor of John Proctor's contributions to the school.
, wood shop
, and machine shop
. Students were involved in the upkeep and improvement of the school, clearing the land for the school's first ski area
, Slalom Hill, as well as a farm
which was used to feed the community. The school's wood shop and metal shop are still in use today for metalworking, boat building, and woodworking projects. The farm no longer exists, but the school does still maintain a student-tended organic garden.
, rather than a seniority system. Realizing the unique location and programs that Proctor offered, they created a wilderness orientation program for new students, which still exists today. In 1974, the mountain classroom program was created, combining an Outward Bound
type of small group outdoor experience with specialized academic sessions. By 1975, Proctor had faculty and facilities in Madrid
, Spain, and Clermont-Ferrand
, France, which led to later experiential education programs in Segovia, Spain
, and Pont-l'Abbé,France
. In 2011 European Classroom, an art and French program, was created, replacing the France program.
. The property is an NH-certified tree farm
. Trees logged on the property are sold to generate revenue for the school, however some logs are used in the school's wood shop, and to heat the wood fired dorms in the winter. The school also operates its own sugar house
and sells maple syrup
which is made from sap gathered on the campus.
The campus is split in two parts by Andover's Main Street (NH Route 11
and U.S. Route 4
), with academic buildings and dorms on one side and the Carr athletic fields and the Blackwater Ski Area on the other side of the road.
One of the newest additions to the campus, Peabody House, was completed in 2008 on the former site of Morton House, which was torn down in August, 2007. The building was designed to follow LEED
criteria and used recycled
materials where possible.
programs, including Ocean Classroom, Mountain Classroom, and a language trimester in France
or Spain
. In the 2008-09 term a new abroad program will be made available to students wanting to spend a term in Morocco
.
.
The school competes against (among others): Vermont Academy
, Phillips Exeter Academy
, Kimball Union Academy
, Holderness School
, Brewster Academy
, New Hampton School
and Tilton School
.
Notable people who have attended the school include:
University-preparatory school
A university-preparatory school or college-preparatory school is a secondary school, usually private, designed to prepare students for a college or university education...
boarding school
Boarding school
A boarding school is a school where some or all pupils study and live during the school year with their fellow students and possibly teachers and/or administrators. The word 'boarding' is used in the sense of "bed and board," i.e., lodging and meals...
for grades 9-12 located on 3000 acres (12.1 km²) in Andover, New Hampshire
Andover, New Hampshire
Andover is a town in Merrimack County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 2,371 at the 2010 census. Andover includes the villages of Cilleyville, Potter Place, and East Andover, in addition to the town center...
.
Origin
Andover Academy was established in 1848 by the Town of Andover. The idea of the school spawned from a sewing group conversation between the wives of the area's prominent families, in the living room of attorney Samuel Butterfield. The women shared a strong conviction that their town needed a school for its expanding population.. On June 23, 1848, the incorporation of the academy was approved, with Samuel Butterfield as president, Walcott Hamlin as secretary, and True Brown and John Fellows as executive committee members.The academy opened its doors in August 1848, on the second floor of the church on Main Street, with many of the desks, chairs and chalkboards donated by the Butterfields. Mrs. Eliza Butterfield set up the curriculum
Curriculum
See also Syllabus.In formal education, a curriculum is the set of courses, and their content, offered at a school or university. As an idea, curriculum stems from the Latin word for race course, referring to the course of deeds and experiences through which children grow to become mature adults...
with Dyer H. Sanborn as the principal and Miss Eliza Wingate as "preceptress". The first term had 43 girls and 65 boys enrolled, but within four years the school had grown to just over 250 students.
The school year was set up into four terms of twelve weeks each. The tuition rate, per quarter, was:
- $3.00 for common classes
- $3.50 for higher English, and Languages
- $1.00 to $3.00 for Drawing and Painting
- $1.00 to $3.00 for Needlework
- $2.00 for Music
- $8.00 for Students with incidental expenses
The curriculum the first year included: English, Latin, Greek Literature, Mathematics, Morals, Natural and Intellectual Science, Modern Languages, Drawing & Painting, Music, Elocution, Vocal Music, and Penmanship.
In 1850, Ancient Languages, Surveying, Instrumental Music, and Chemistry were added. In 1852, Book-keeping, Theoretical & Practical Surveying, and Pen Drawing were added, and a library was established.
1850-1900
Principal Sanborn (1850–1851) was very popular with the students, and the school thrived through its first couple of years with funding by generous patrons. After two years, Sanborn stepped down, and Moses Leland Morse of Bowdoin CollegeBowdoin College
Bowdoin College , founded in 1794, is an elite private liberal arts college located in the coastal Maine town of Brunswick, Maine. As of 2011, U.S. News and World Report ranks Bowdoin 6th among liberal arts colleges in the United States. At times, it was ranked as high as 4th in the country. It is...
took over for the next two years as principal. Under Morse, the student body more than doubled, as chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
was added to the curriculum and the guaranty fund reached $3,000. Woodbury Langdon, Luther Puffer (law student), and John Simonds were some of the first graduates to go on to college
College
A college is an educational institution or a constituent part of an educational institution. Usage varies in English-speaking nations...
. After Principal Morse stepped down, Thaddeus W. Bruce (1852–1853) of Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College is a private, Ivy League university in Hanover, New Hampshire, United States. The institution comprises a liberal arts college, Dartmouth Medical School, Thayer School of Engineering, and the Tuck School of Business, as well as 19 graduate programs in the arts and sciences...
took the helm with Miss Marcia Foster as assistant (which whom later married). Around this time future world-renowned artist David Dalhoff Neal
David Dalhoff Neal
David Dalhoff Neal , was an American artist.-Early years:David Dalhoff Neal was born to father Stephen Bryant Neal and mother Mary Neal, on Middlesex Street, in Lowell, Massachusetts...
also attended classes. George Dustan took over as principal in 1854 when the school fell victim to a smallpox
Smallpox
Smallpox was an infectious disease unique to humans, caused by either of two virus variants, Variola major and Variola minor. The disease is also known by the Latin names Variola or Variola vera, which is a derivative of the Latin varius, meaning "spotted", or varus, meaning "pimple"...
outbreak, in which one of the teachers and a former student died.
The smallpox
Smallpox
Smallpox was an infectious disease unique to humans, caused by either of two virus variants, Variola major and Variola minor. The disease is also known by the Latin names Variola or Variola vera, which is a derivative of the Latin varius, meaning "spotted", or varus, meaning "pimple"...
epidemic in 1854-1855 forced the school to close, and for the next three decades the school struggled with its identity and funding. In 1857, the school reopened its doors as the New England Christian Literary and Biblical Institute, then again in 1860 as the Andover Christian Institute. In 1865, the school was closed and reopened in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire
Wolfeboro, New Hampshire
Wolfeboro is a town in Carroll County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 6,269 at the 2010 census. A venerable resort area situated beside Lake Winnipesaukee, Wolfeboro includes the village of Wolfeboro Falls...
as the Wolfeboro Christian Institute.
As the school struggled, former Andover resident John Proctor, the inventor of the threaded wood screw, returned, in 1857, to build up the town. By the 1870s Proctor helped to return the school to Andover, debt-free, as well as build a new dormitory
Dormitory
A dormitory, often shortened to dorm, in the United States is a residence hall consisting of sleeping quarters or entire buildings primarily providing sleeping and residential quarters for large numbers of people, often boarding school, college or university students...
on the site of modern-day Gannett House. In 1879, the Unitarian Church
Unitarianism
Unitarianism is a Christian theological movement, named for its understanding of God as one person, in direct contrast to Trinitarianism which defines God as three persons coexisting consubstantially as one in being....
sought to purchase the Andover school in order to create a school "free from...theological dogmatizing and unnatural religious methods." Andover was a hotbed of Unitarian thought, which helped to facilitate the sale of the school. In 1881, the school was opened as Proctor Academy in honor of John Proctor's contributions to the school.
The 1930s and 40s
Not realizing the severity of the economic downturn, in 1932 the trustees of the school invested $45,000 to build Maxwell Savage Hall. At the first assembly of the 1935 school year, Headmaster Carl Wetherell announced that he was quitting due to the poor outlook for the school. A search for a replacement was hurriedly started. John Halsey Gulick took the job, and immediately instituted sweeping reforms of the school, creating mechanical arts programs such as boat buildingBoat building
Boat building, one of the oldest branches of engineering, is concerned with constructing the hulls of boats and, for sailboats, the masts, spars and rigging.-Parts:* Bow - the front and generally sharp end of the hull...
, wood shop
Vocational education
Vocational education or vocational education and training is an education that prepares trainees for jobs that are based on manual or practical activities, traditionally non-academic, and totally related to a specific trade, occupation, or vocation...
, and machine shop
Machining
Conventional machining is a form of subtractive manufacturing, in which a collection of material-working processes utilizing power-driven machine tools, such as saws, lathes, milling machines, and drill presses, are used with a sharp cutting tool to physical remove material to achieve a desired...
. Students were involved in the upkeep and improvement of the school, clearing the land for the school's first ski area
Ski resort
A ski resort is a resort developed for skiing and other winter sports. In Europe a ski resort is a town or village in a ski area - a mountainous area, where there are ski trails and supporting services such as hotels and other accommodation, restaurants, equipment rental and a ski lift system...
, Slalom Hill, as well as a farm
Victory garden
Victory gardens, also called war gardens or food gardens for defense, were vegetable, fruit and herb gardens planted at private residences and public parks in United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Germany during World War I and World War II to reduce the pressure on the public food supply...
which was used to feed the community. The school's wood shop and metal shop are still in use today for metalworking, boat building, and woodworking projects. The farm no longer exists, but the school does still maintain a student-tended organic garden.
The 1950s and 60s
Lyle Farrell, who started teaching at Proctor in the 1930s, took over as Headmaster of the school in 1952. During his time as Headmaster, he pushed for the expansion of the school, leading to the construction of Holland Auditorium, Shirley Hall, Farrell Field House, Leonard Field, Farrell Field and the Blackwater Ski Area. Farrell also established the learning skills programs for college-bound students with dyslexia.The 1970s and beyond
In 1971, David Fowler succeeded Lyle Farrell as Headmaster. He instituted a democratic student governmentStudents' union
A students' union, student government, student senate, students' association, guild of students or government of student body is a student organization present in many colleges and universities, and has started appearing in some high schools...
, rather than a seniority system. Realizing the unique location and programs that Proctor offered, they created a wilderness orientation program for new students, which still exists today. In 1974, the mountain classroom program was created, combining an Outward Bound
Outward Bound
Outward Bound is an international, non-profit, independent, outdoor educationorganization with approximately 40 schools around the world and 200,000 participants per year...
type of small group outdoor experience with specialized academic sessions. By 1975, Proctor had faculty and facilities in Madrid
Madrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...
, Spain, and Clermont-Ferrand
Clermont-Ferrand
Clermont-Ferrand is a city and commune of France, in the Auvergne region, with a population of 140,700 . Its metropolitan area had 409,558 inhabitants at the 1999 census. It is the prefecture of the Puy-de-Dôme department...
, France, which led to later experiential education programs in Segovia, Spain
Segovia
Segovia is a city in Spain, the capital of Segovia Province in the autonomous community of Castile and León. It is situated north of Madrid, 30 minutes by high speed train. The municipality counts some 55,500 inhabitants.-Etymology:...
, and Pont-l'Abbé,France
Pont-l'Abbé
Pont-l'Abbé is a commune in the Finistère department of Brittany in north-western France.The self-styled capital of Pays Bigouden , Pont-l'Abbé was founded in the 14th century by a monk of Loctudy who built the first bridge across the river estuary, hence the name...
. In 2011 European Classroom, an art and French program, was created, replacing the France program.
Campus
Proctor Academy is located on 3000 acres (12.1 km²) in the town of Andover, New HampshireAndover, New Hampshire
Andover is a town in Merrimack County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 2,371 at the 2010 census. Andover includes the villages of Cilleyville, Potter Place, and East Andover, in addition to the town center...
. The property is an NH-certified tree farm
Tree farm
A tree farm is a privately owned forest managed for timber production. The term tree farm is also used to refer to plantations and to tree nurseries.-American Tree Farm System:...
. Trees logged on the property are sold to generate revenue for the school, however some logs are used in the school's wood shop, and to heat the wood fired dorms in the winter. The school also operates its own sugar house
Sugar house
A sugar house, also known as sap house, sugar shack, sugar shanty or sugar cabin is a semi-commercial establishment, prominent mainly in Eastern Canada...
and sells maple syrup
Maple syrup
Maple syrup is a syrup usually made from the xylem sap of sugar maple, red maple, or black maple trees, although it can also be made from other maple species such as the bigleaf maple. In cold climates, these trees store starch in their trunks and roots before the winter; the starch is then...
which is made from sap gathered on the campus.
The campus is split in two parts by Andover's Main Street (NH Route 11
New Hampshire Route 11
New Hampshire Route 11 is a long east–west state highway in New Hampshire, running westward along the southern shore of Lake Winnipesaukee. Its eastern terminus is at the Maine state line in the city of Rochester, where it continues north as Maine State Route 11. U.S. Route 202, which runs...
and U.S. Route 4
U.S. Route 4
U.S. Route 4 is a long United States highway that runs from East Greenbush, New York, in the west to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in the east, traversing through Vermont.In New York, US 4 is signed north–south to reflect its alignment in the state...
), with academic buildings and dorms on one side and the Carr athletic fields and the Blackwater Ski Area on the other side of the road.
One of the newest additions to the campus, Peabody House, was completed in 2008 on the former site of Morton House, which was torn down in August, 2007. The building was designed to follow LEED
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design consists of a suite of rating systems for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings, homes and neighborhoods....
criteria and used recycled
Recycling
Recycling is processing used materials into new products to prevent waste of potentially useful materials, reduce the consumption of fresh raw materials, reduce energy usage, reduce air pollution and water pollution by reducing the need for "conventional" waste disposal, and lower greenhouse...
materials where possible.
Dorms
- Burbank East and West
- Carr House (built 1870)
- Carriage House/ Eco Dorm (built 1998)
- Davis House (built 1978)
- Farm House (built 1804)
- Gannett House
- Gulick House
- Ives House
- Johnson House (built 1978)
- King House
- Mackenzie House
- Mary Lowell Stone House "MLS" (built 1870)
- Morton House (built c. 1900, demolished 2007); demolished to make way for Peabody House which was built in its former location
- Peabody House (built 2008)
- Rulon-Miller House
- Summerfield House (built 1978)
- Thoreau House
Notable buildings
- Recording Studio (built 2006), state-of-the-art building-within-a-building designed to isolate the studio from any outside noise
- Steve and Sarah Wilkins Meetinghouse (built 2001), theater and meetinghouse for all-school assemblies, also contains the dance studio
- The Cabin (built 1991), cabin located on the top of the hill behind Proctor's dorms, where students are allowed to stay for the night on the weekend
- Yarrow's Lodge, ski lodge at the Blackwater Ski Area, base for the student ski patrol and the storage location for the school's snowcatSnowcatA snowcat is an enclosed-cab, truck sized, fully tracked vehicle designed to move on snow. Snowcats are often referred to as 'trail groomers' because of their use for grooming ski trails or snowmobile trails...
Curriculum
Proctor offers several experientialExperiential education
Experiential education is a philosophy of education that describes the process that occurs between a teacher and student that infuses direct experience with the learning environment and content. The term is mistakenly used interchangeably with experiential learning...
programs, including Ocean Classroom, Mountain Classroom, and a language trimester in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
or Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. In the 2008-09 term a new abroad program will be made available to students wanting to spend a term in Morocco
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
.
Extracurricular activities
Skills courses provide hands-on activities during the school day. These include jazz band, photography, yearbook, blacksmithing, boat building, woodshop, jewelry making, ceramics, dance, drama, and many others. The drama department produces several major plays annually, including a winter student production and the spring musical.Athletics
Proctor Academy fields teams in interscholastic competition in alpine skiing, baseball, basketball, cycling, mountain biking, canoeing, cross-country running, cross-country skiing, dance, downhill skiing, field hockey, football, freestyle skiing, golf, hockey, horseback riding, ice hockey, kayaking, lacrosse, Nordic skiing, ski jumping, snowboarding, soccer, softball, and tennis. The school belongs to the New England Preparatory School Athletic CouncilNew England Preparatory School Athletic Council
The New England Preparatory School Athletic Council was founded in 1942 as an organization of athletic directors from preparatory schools in New England.-Member schools:* The Albany Academy* American School for the Deaf* Applewild School...
.
The school competes against (among others): Vermont Academy
Vermont Academy
Vermont Academy is an American coeducational boarding/day school and college preparatory school for grades nine through twelve and also offers acceptance for students seeking a post-graduate year. Founded in 1876, it is located in Saxtons River, Vermont. The school is coeducational, and...
, Phillips Exeter Academy
Phillips Exeter Academy
Phillips Exeter Academy is a private secondary school located in Exeter, New Hampshire, in the United States.Exeter is noted for its application of Harkness education, a system based on a conference format of teacher and student interaction, similar to the Socratic method of learning through asking...
, Kimball Union Academy
Kimball Union Academy
Kimball Union Academy is a private boarding school located in New Hampshire. Founded in 1813, it is the 22nd oldest boarding school in the United States...
, Holderness School
Holderness School
The Holderness School is a private, coeducational college-preparatory school in Holderness, near Plymouth, New Hampshire in the United States. The student body of 275 is drawn from 22 U.S. states and 14 foreign countries. While Holderness operates primarily as a boarding school, it also enrolls 50...
, Brewster Academy
Brewster Academy
Brewster Academy is a co-educational independent boarding school located on in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire USA, two hours north of Boston. It occupies 1/2 mile of shoreline along Lake Winnipesaukee...
, New Hampton School
New Hampton School
New Hampton School is an independent college preparatory high school located in New Hampton, New Hampshire, in the New England region of the northeastern United States...
and Tilton School
Tilton School
The Tilton School is an independent, coeducational, college preparatory school in Tilton, New Hampshire, in the United States, serving students from 9th to 12th grade and postgraduates...
.
Notable alumni
- Bob Beattie, '51 - former US Alpine Ski Team Head Coach and ABC television commentator
- Jerome Dyson, '06 - UConnUniversity of ConnecticutThe admission rate to the University of Connecticut is about 50% and has been steadily decreasing, with about 28,000 prospective students applying for admission to the freshman class in recent years. Approximately 40,000 prospective students tour the main campus in Storrs annually...
basketball player - Jed Hinkley, '99 - US Olympian, US Ski Team Nordic Combined
- John McVeyJohn McVeyJohn McVey is an American folk rock singer songwriter from Princeton, New Jersey. His style of music is part of the new folk acoustic movement, bringing elements of pop, rock and folk music to modern audiences...
- singer/songwriter - Matt NathansonMatt NathansonMatt Nathanson is an American singer-songwriter whose work is a blend of folk and rock music. In addition to singing, he plays acoustic and electric guitar, and has played both solo and with a full band. His work includes the platinum-selling song "Come On Get Higher".-Early life and college...
, '91 - singer/songwriter - David Dalhoff NealDavid Dalhoff NealDavid Dalhoff Neal , was an American artist.-Early years:David Dalhoff Neal was born to father Stephen Bryant Neal and mother Mary Neal, on Middlesex Street, in Lowell, Massachusetts...
- artist, one of the first students in early 1850s - Robert Richardson, '73 - Oscar-winning cinematographer (PlatoonPlatoon (film)Platoon is a 1986 American war film written and directed by Oliver Stone and stars Tom Berenger, Willem Dafoe and Charlie Sheen. It is the first of Stone's Vietnam War trilogy, followed by 1989's Born on the Fourth of July and 1993's Heaven & Earth....
, JFKJFK (film)JFK is a 1991 American film directed by Oliver Stone. It examines the events leading to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and alleged subsequent cover-up, through the eyes of former New Orleans district attorney Jim Garrison .Garrison filed charges against New Orleans businessman Clay...
, The Aviator, Kill BillKill BillKill Bill Volume 1 is a 2003 action thriller film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. It is the first of two volumes that were theatrically released several months apart, the second volume being Kill Bill Volume 2....
) - Alan ShepardAlan ShepardAlan Bartlett Shepard, Jr. was an American naval aviator, test pilot, flag officer, and NASA astronaut who in 1961 became the second person, and the first American, in space. This Mercury flight was designed to enter space, but not to achieve orbit...
- astronaut, spent a summer at Proctor building a boat, walked on the moon - Carl Van Loan, '98 - US Olympian, US Ski Team Nordic Combined, Large Hill team
- Cole WilliamsCole WilliamsCole Williams is an American film and TV actor. He has been in such diverse films as North Country, and Harry + Max . He also had a recurring role as Anthony W...
, '99 - television actor (ScrubsScrubs (TV series)Scrubs is an American medical comedy-drama television series created in 2001 by Bill Lawrence and produced by ABC Studios. The show follows the lives of several employees of the fictional Sacred Heart, a teaching hospital. It features fast-paced screenplay, slapstick, and surreal vignettes...
, 8 Simple Rules8 Simple Rules8 Simple Rules is an American sitcom that originally aired on ABC from September 17, 2002, to April 15, 2005, with 76 episodes produced over three seasons. It is based on the self-improvement book of the same name. The show starred John Ritter until his death on September 11, 2003...
)