I completely agree about what you said about season 9. The writers had obviously proven they were very talented with all the material they produced from the earlier seasons, but the decision to start adding conflict to J&P was a bad choice. Because that relationship was perfect from day one. Unrealistic? Sure, but it's a light hearted comedy - it's supposed to make the audience feel good.

It'd be like if Jack and Rose both survived the Titanic, but the script writer decided to have the movie keep going to show them getting into a fight a few years later, breaking up, and sharing custody of two little brats. Of course that would be realistic but it kinda ruins what the audience loved about it in the first place.