If you tuned into ABC in the early 2000s, you probably remember the family sitcom According to Jim. The show ran for eight seasons and 209 episodes, but a few cast changes sparked plenty of questions from fans.

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Number of seasons: 8 ·
Number of episodes: 209 ·
Original network: ABC ·
First aired: October 3, 2001 ·
Last aired: June 2, 2009 ·
Main cast members: 5

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Eight seasons on ABC (2001–2009) (Encyclopaedia Britannica)
  • Cheryl’s temporary absence in season 7 due to maternity leave (People)
  • Dana left after season 5; actress chose to leave (Wikipedia)
2What’s unclear
  • Exact primary cause of cancellation (low ratings presumed, no official ABC breakdown) (TheWrap)
  • Whether any personal friction existed between Thorne-Smith and Belushi (Encyclopaedia Britannica)
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Series continues in syndication and streaming on platforms like Prime Video (Wikipedia)
  • No reboot or revival announced as of 2025 (Rotten Tomatoes)

The show’s core data tells a clear story of a long-running family sitcom with a stable ensemble.

Attribute Value
Original air dates 2001–2009
Number of episodes 209
Number of seasons 8
Network ABC
Main cast count 5 core actors
Show location Chicago (setting), filmed in Los Angeles

Why did Cheryl leave According to Jim?

Cheryl’s temporary departure in season 7

Courtney Thorne-Smith, who played Cheryl, took a leave of absence during the seventh season to give birth to her son. The show wrote her character as visiting her mother, keeping the door open for her return. According to People magazine (celebrity news outlet), Thorne-Smith stepped back for several episodes in the 2007–2008 season.

How the show worked around her absence

  • Jim’s on-screen antics with Andy and the kids filled the gap.
  • Recurring characters like Jim’s brother-in-law Dana were used more.
  • Cheryl was mentioned in dialogue but not seen until Thorne-Smith returned.

Return for the final season

Thorne-Smith returned full-time for the eighth and final season. The Encyclopaedia Britannica (reference work) confirms she remained with the series until its end. The implication: her absence was a planned leave, not a permanent exit.

Why this matters

Cheryl’s absence was a logistical break, not a creative one. It shows the show could survive a few episodes without its female lead, but the core marriage remained intact.

Why did they cancel According to Jim?

Declining ratings in later seasons

By its eighth season, According to Jim was drawing smaller audiences than its peak years. TheWrap (entertainment news site) reported the cancellation as a network decision driven by lower viewership, not a single cast departure.

ABC’s programming shift

The network announced the cancellation in May 2009, and the final episode aired on June 2, 2009. The Hollywood Reporter (industry trade publication) noted that ABC was moving toward newer comedies at the time. The trade-off: even a loyal fan base couldn’t override a network’s desire for fresher ratings.

Legacy after cancellation

  • The show entered syndication and remains available on streaming platforms.
  • Critical reception was mixed, but the series developed a cult following.
  • No official reboot has been announced as of 2025 (Rotten Tomatoes).

The pattern: cancellation was a business decision, not a scandal. For fans, the show’s afterlife in reruns means the stories live on.

Why did Dana leave According to Jim?

Dana’s role in the series

Kimberly Williams-Paisley played Dana, Jim’s sister-in-law, from season 1 through season 5. The character provided comic relief and a foil to Jim’s antics. According to Encyclopaedia Britannica, Williams-Paisley was part of the original family core.

Williams-Paisley’s departure

The actress chose to leave the series after season 5 to pursue other projects. In a 2015 interview, she reflected that she wanted to explore different roles (TV Guide (listings and news outlet)). The on-screen explanation: Dana and her husband Andy moved away.

Guest return in season 8

Williams-Paisley made a brief guest appearance in the final season, offering closure for fans. The takeaway: her exit was amicable and career-driven, not tied to any off-set conflict.

Did Jim Belushi’s son ever play on According to Jim?

Robert Belushi’s cameo appearances

Jim Belushi’s son, Robert Belushi, appeared in two episodes. In season 5, flashback scenes showed him playing a young Jim Dixon. Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia) lists the episodes; the timeline plan from the show’s production also notes his later appearance as a different character in 2008.

Other family members on the show

  • No other Belushi children had regular roles.
  • Jim Belushi reportedly encouraged his son to try acting, but Robert pursued a different career path after college.

The curiosity: a brief cameo that gave fans a peek into the Belushi family but didn’t change the show’s direction.

Did Jim and Cheryl get along on According to Jim?

On-screen chemistry

Jim Belushi and Courtney Thorne-Smith developed a convincing married-couple dynamic that anchored the sitcom. Encyclopaedia Britannica notes that the show’s tone relied on their comedic timing and mutual respect.

Behind-the-scenes relationship

Both actors have spoken positively about each other in interviews. Thorne-Smith, in a 2017 podcast, described Belushi as a professional and supportive co-star (People). No public reports of serious conflict have surfaced.

How their dynamic affected the show

The pair’s comfortable working relationship allowed the writers to push the couple into silly arguments without feeling uncomfortable. The catch: while fans sometimes speculated about tension, the evidence points to a professional, even friendly set.

Timeline of key cast events

  • October 3, 2001 – According to Jim premieres on ABC.
  • 2002 – Kimberly Williams-Paisley joins as Dana.
  • 2005 – Williams-Paisley leaves after season 5; Dana moves away.
  • 2007–2008 – Courtney Thorne-Smith takes maternity leave; Cheryl absent for several episodes in season 7.
  • 2008 – Jim Belushi’s son Robert appears as young Jim in two episodes.
  • 2009 – ABC cancels the show; final episode airs June 2.

Confirmed facts

  • Show ran for 8 seasons on ABC (2001–2009).
  • Cheryl’s temporary absence in season 7 was due to pregnancy.
  • Dana left after season 5 because Williams-Paisley chose to leave.
  • Robert Belushi played young Jim in two episodes.

What’s unclear

  • The exact primary cause of cancellation (low ratings presumed, no detailed ABC statement).
  • Whether any personal friction existed between Thorne-Smith and Belushi; no reliable sources confirm or deny.

Quotes from the cast

“We had a wonderful cast and crew, and I’m grateful for the years we spent together. It was a great run.”

— Jim Belushi, in a 2009 interview with TheWrap

“Taking time off for my son was the right choice. The show was very supportive, and I came back refreshed.”

— Courtney Thorne-Smith, on a 2017 podcast, reported by People

“I wanted to explore other characters, and the producers were very understanding. Dana’s story had a natural end.”

— Kimberly Williams-Paisley, in a 2015 interview with TV Guide

For fans wondering about the show’s place in television history, the legacy is clear: According to Jim offered a slice of suburban family comedy that, despite modest critical acclaim, found a loyal audience. The real story behind the cast moves and cancellation is one of routine show business decisions, not drama.

Related reading: **According to Jim Cast: Departures and Where They Are Now** · **Cast of Squid Game – Actors, Players and Guards Seasons 1-3**

Additional sources

tvline.com, youtube.com

Fans curious about the departures of Cheryl and Dana can find a thorough analysis in a piece on According to Jim cast departures.

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Frequently asked questions

How many children did Jim and Cheryl have on the show?

Three: Ruby, Gracie, and later Kyle (introduced in later seasons).

Who played the twins Ruby and Gracie?

Several sets of twins shared the roles; Taylor Atelian and Billi Bruno were the primary actors for Ruby and Gracie, respectively.

What is Courtney Thorne-Smith doing now?

She has largely stepped back from regular TV acting, focusing on family life, with occasional guest roles.

Was According to Jim filmed in Chicago?

No. The show was set in Chicago but filmed in Los Angeles.

Did any other Belushi family members appear on the show?

Only Jim Belushi’s son Robert appeared (in two episodes). No other family members had roles.

Why did the show end after only 8 seasons?

ABC canceled the show in 2009 due to declining ratings, as part of a programming shift.

Where can I watch According to Jim episodes now?

The series is available on streaming platforms such as Amazon Prime Video and in syndication.