Suzanne Pleshette joins ''8 Simple Rules'' as grandma | 16414__rules_l
'SIMPLE' PLAN (From left) Pleshette joins Sagal and Co. as the grandma
Suzanne Pleshette and Katey Sagal: Craig Sjodin

All About

8 Simple Rules

The parade of '70s TV icons continues on the retooled ''8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter.'' Following last week's announcement that James Garner would be visiting for the first four episodes to be shot in the wake of star John Ritter's sudden death last month, ABC has announced Suzanne Pleshette will also appear on the first of the new episodes, an hourlong special that will mark the sitcom's Hennessy family's first attempts to cope with the death of Ritter's character.

The ''Rockford Files'' star and the ''Bob Newhart Show'' actress will play the parents of Katey Sagal's newly widowed Cate Hennessy. The grandparents are separated, but they will come together to comfort their bereaved daughter and grandchildren on the special episode, airing Nov. 4 during the first week of the fall ratings sweeps month. It's not clear whether Pleshette, who left the cast of NBC's ''Good Morning, Miami'' after last season, will appear in any additional episodes. Other guests are expected in the coming weeks to help comfort the mourning family.


Sign up for EW.com's What to Watch Newsletter!

What to watch on TV. Hear what's on tap for the night ahead and get witty, morning after recaps of top shows (sent weekday mornings).