Everybody Loves Raymond

Everybody Loves Raymond
Everybody Loves Raymond logo
Format	Sitcom
Created by	Philip Rosenthal
Starring	Ray Romano Patricia Heaton Brad Garrett Monica Horan Madylin Sweeten with Doris Roberts and Peter Boyle
Country of origin	United States
No. of seasons	9
No. of episodes	212 (List of episodes)
Production
Location(s)	Warner Brothers Studios in Burbank, California
Running time	30 minutes
Broadcast
Original channel	CBS
Original run	September 13, 1996 – May 16, 2005
Chronology
Related shows	The King of Queens

Everybody Loves Raymond is an Emmy winning American television sitcom that originally ran on CBS from September 13, 1996 to May 16, 2005.

Many of the situations from the show are based on the real-life experiences of lead actor Ray Romano, creator/producer Phil Rosenthal and the show's writing staff. The main characters on the show are also loosely based on Romano's and Rosenthal's real-life family members.

It is one of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful American sitcoms of its time. Everybody Loves Raymond was nominated for and won many awards.

The show reruns in syndication on different cable channels such as TBS and in most TV markets on local stations.^[1] From 2000-2007 King World Productions distributed the show for off-network syndication. In 2008 CBS Television Distribution took over King World's distribution, although its logo is retained on TBS. CBS only owns American syndication rights, ancillary rights are controlled by HBO and Warner Bros. Television (WBTV distributes the series outside the US in conjunction with HBO; while HBO Home Entertainment and Warner Home Video own DVD rights worldwide).

Show background

The show revolves around the life of Raymond Barone, newspaper sportswriter from Lynbrook, Long Island, and his family. Easygoing, almost flippant, Ray does not take many things seriously, making jokes in nearly every situation, no matter how troubling or problematic.

Ray lives with his wife Debra (Patricia Heaton), their daughter Ally and their identical twin sons Michael and Geoffrey. Ray's parents, Marie and Frank, and brother Robert, live across the street, and frequently make their presence known to the frustration of Ray and Debra. Debra's frequent complaints about Ray's family were a running joke. Out of the three unwanted visitors, Debra is particularly put off by Marie — a catty woman who constantly antagonizes Debra, coddles Ray and obviously favors Ray over Robert.

Ray often finds himself in the middle of all the problems and arguments. His biggest nemesis is his brother Robert, who is insecure and jealous about Ray being the favorite son. Although Robert and Ray are frequently seen fighting like children and picking on each other, the brothers are very devoted to each other. Robert frequently calls Ray "Cubby" and stands up for him, while Ray has a great admiration for Robert, who is a New York City police officer.

Their father Frank is very insulting to all family members and does not like to show his feelings, but through the years several episodes were crafted to show how much he loves his family.

Ray and Debra have their share of marital disagreements, with Debra frequently denying Ray sex, and Ray preferring to watch sports television to talking to his wife. A recurring theme on the show has them having a long interaction each night while in bed, just before going to sleep, and sometimes there is a sweetness between them.

Cast

The main characters of the show. (Background, from left) Ray, Robert and Debra (foreground, from left) Frank and Marie

• Raymond Albert Barone (Ray Romano) is a sportswriter for Newsday. He lives in Lynbrook, Long Island with his wife, Debra, and their children Geoffrey (Sawyer Sweeten), Michael (Sullivan Sweeten) and Alexandra "Ally" (Madylin Sweeten). Other members of his family, who live across the street, include his brother Robert, and his parents Frank and Marie. Ray's character is loosely based on the real-life Romano, as he is the father of twin boys and a girl.

• Debra Louise Whalen Barone (Patricia Heaton) is Ray's wife, and the mother of Ally, Michael, and Geoffrey. As a housewife, Debra is frequently resentful and stressed out; major reasons for this are not only because she has to deal with all the housework and her three rambunctious children without much assistance from Ray, but also because she must constantly put up with Ray's obnoxious, intrusive family members. Debra tends to hold back her feelings and usually only after Ray does something she lets loose by having tantrums and completely losing control of herself.

• Robert Charles Barone (Brad Garrett) is Ray's brother and the son of Frank and Marie, conceived out of wedlock. Standing at 6' 8.5", he is the tallest Barone, and has several quirks, the biggest being a nervous habit of touching food to his chin before eating it, commonly known as the "Crazy Chin". Robert is a caring uncle and still deeply cares for little brother Raymond. Robert has been a New York City Police Department Officer for 27 years, and attains the rank of Lieutenant by the end of the series. He is often jealous of the attention that his brother Ray receives from their mother. His height, appearance and demeanor are the source of much humor, but despite his huge size, Robert is a very skilled dancer.

• Marie Janella Barone (Doris Roberts) is Ray's mother, the wife of Frank, and the matriarch of the Barone family. Intrusive and over-nurturing, she is a housewife who excels in cooking, cleaning, and other things dealing with keeping a good home and bringing up a nurturing and caring family. Marie and Frank live across the street from Ray and Debra in Lynbrook, Long Island, New York which often irritates the latter couple.

• Francis "Frank" Oscar Barone (Peter Boyle) is Ray's father and Marie's husband, a retired bookkeeper with a stubborn masculine personality. A war veteran, Frank served in the Korean War, which he frequently brings up, to the annoyance of his sons. He is a member of the Elks, and was named Man of the Year by his Lodge. In season 8 however, Frank asks Debra to work at the Caribou Lodge. Peter Boyle died on December 12, 2006.

• Amy Louise MacDougall-Barone (Monica Horan) is Robert Barone's wife, and the best friend of Debra, who introduced Amy to Robert. Although Amy marries Robert in the seventh season, she also appears in the previous seasons. Many issues have caused Amy and Robert to break up in the first six seasons, with one being caused by Raymond. Quite often, Amy apologizes to someone even if she didn't do anything wrong. In real life, Horan is the wife of creator/executive producer Philip Rosenthal.

Main crew

• Executive producers: Philip Rosenthal (Head writer), Stu Smiley, Rory Rosegarten, Ray Romano, Lew Schneider, Tucker Cawley, Steve Skrovan, Jeremy Stevens, Aaron Shure and Mike Royce.

Episodes

DVD releases

HBO Home Video has released the Complete Series of Everybody Loves Raymond on DVD in Regions 1, 2 and 4. Region 4 Complete Box Set was released on 13 August 2008.

International broadcasters

• In Australia, the Seven Network originally aired the program as summer filler, Network Ten later began airing the series which in the meantime became popular. Re-runs now air on Network Ten and on cable network TV1 (previously on FOX Classics).
• In Bulgaria the first seasons were aired on Kanal 1, after that were repeated on bTV with the premieres of the later seasons. Repeats currently broadcast on GTV.
• Repeats of the show are frequently screened in New Zealand. It is currently broadcast on the free-to-air television channel, TV3.
• In Norway TV3 is currently airing the show. The show was also aired on TV2 when the episodes were new.
• In Poland it is aired by Comedy Central Polska channel.
• In Serbia the show was recently aired on TV Avala. The show was also aired earlier on RTV BK Telecom.
• In Turkey it is aired on the subscription based channel ComedyMax.
• In the United Kingdom, a double bill of the show appears daily on Channel 4 and Comedy Central, the latter often devoting Sundays to entire seasons of the show.
• In Spain the show airs on La Sexta where it has been run various times and in different time slots. At present (Autumn 2008), La Sexta airs double episodes every weekday morning from 645am.
• In Latvia the first 3 seasons were aired on TV3
• In Germany originally aired on Pro7 and Kabel1, now it is aired on Comedy Central Germany
• In Mongolia the first 14 episodes of the first season was aired on NTV. Not only that it was incomplete it wasn't repeated as well.
• In Portugal the show aired on Sic Comedia, and lasted until the channel was canceled by TV Cabo, it now airs on SET
• In Croatia it was aired on NOVA tv, but it was cancelled. It was a popular show.
• In Slovenia the show aired on Kanal A. It was often repeated.

Reception

U.S. television ratings

Seasonal rankings (based on average total viewers per episode) of Everybody Loves Raymond on CBS.

Note: Each U.S. network television season starts in late September and ends in late May, which coincides with the completion of May sweeps. All times mentioned in this section were Eastern & Pacific

With the exception of the 2004-2005 season, the ratings data seen in this table is from Nielsen Media Research which was published in a May 15, 2005 USA Today article.^[2]

The series-finale scored a 20.2 household rating, 32.94 million viewers (29% of all viewers at the time) and an 11.2 rating among adults 18-49. At 8pm, Everybody Loves Raymond: The Last Laugh averaged a 15.3 household rating, 24.52 million viewers and a 7.5 among adults 18-49. During Everybody Loves Raymond last 5 seasons it never fell out of the top 10 ranking.

Awards

Emmy Awards:

• Outstanding Comedy Series (2003, 2005) 2 wins
• Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series Ray Romano (2002)
• Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Patricia Heaton (2000-2001) 2 wins
• Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series Brad Garrett (2002-2003, 2005) 3 wins
• Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Doris Roberts (2001-2003, 2005) 4 wins
• Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series for "Baggage" Tucker Cawley (2003)

Screen Actors Guild:

• Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (2003)

Writers Guild of America:

• Episodic Comedy Phil Rosenthal for: "Italy", parts I and II (2002)

Nominations

Emmy Awards:

• Outstanding Comedy Series (1999-2005) 7 nominations
• Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series Ray Romano (1999-2003, 2005) 6 nominations
• Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Patricia Heaton (1999-2005) 7 nominations
• Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series Brad Garrett (2000, 2002-2005) 5 nominations
• Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series Peter Boyle (1999-2005) 7 nominations
• Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Doris Roberts (1999-2005) 7 nominations
• Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series, 3 nominations: Will Mackenzie "Robert's Date" (1999), Will Mackenzie "The Christmas Picture" (2000), Gary Halvorson "Finale" (2005)
• Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series, 6 nominations: Philip Rosenthal and Ray Romano "Bad Moon Rising" (2000), Philip Rosenthal "The Angry Family" (2002), Jennifer Crittenden "Marie's Sculpture" (2002), Tucker Cawley "Baggage" (2003), Mike Royce "Counselling" (2003), Philip Rosenthal, Ray Romano, Lew Schneider, Steve Skrovan, Jeremy Stevens, Aaron Shure, Mike Royce, Leslie Caveny, Tom Caltabiano "Finale" (2005)

Golden Globe Awards:

• Best Performance by an Actor in a TV Series-Comedy Ray Romano (2000-01) 2 nominations

Screen Actors Guild:

• Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (1999-2000, 2002-2006) 6 nominations
• Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series Ray Romano (2000, 2002-2005) 5 nominations
• Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series Brad Garrett (2004)
• Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series Peter Boyle (2002, 2004) 2 nominations
• Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series Patricia Heaton (2002-2006) 5 nominations
• Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series Doris Roberts (2004-2005) 2 nominations

Lists of miscellaneous information should be avoided. Please relocate any relevant information into appropriate sections or articles. (May 2009)

Cultural references

• When Romano hosted an episode of Saturday Night Live, Peter Boyle and Doris Roberts appeared during his monologue, with Roberts in character and Boyle reminding Romano of his own SNL hosting stint in the 1970s.

• The title of Everybody Loves Raymond has been spoofed by many shows. Chris Rock spoofed the show's title for his own show called Everybody Hates Chris. The ABC drama Lost also spoofed the show's title for the second-season episode "Everybody Hates Hugo." A Law & Order episode has a parody title "Everybody Loves Raimondo's."

• On the show Futurama, they frequently make references to a parody of "Raymond", "Everybody Loves Hypnotoad". And the Futurama movie "Bender's Big Score" DVD contains an extra feature of an entire episode of "Everybody Loves Hypnotoad."

• In the Judd Apatow movies The 40-Year-Old Virgin and Knocked Up, characters played by Paul Rudd have referred directly to the show. Lines include "That's just a good show, I tape it sometimes..." (when lending the main character a box of pornography, accidentally containing the Everybody Loves Raymond VHS) and "Marriage is like an unfunny version of Everybody Loves Raymond, but it doesn't just last 20 minutes... it lasts forever."

• Garrett's sitcom 'Til Death featured Romano as an extra in an episode.

• On the show, South Park, in the episode, "Gnomes," Cartman suggests writing a report on, "that Raymond guy from TV. Everybody loves Raymond."

• On the second episode of Coronation Street shown on 5th Jan 2009, Becky Granger refers to Steve McDonald and Michelle Connor's relationship as being like that of Ray and Debra.

• Ray Romano and Brad Garrett appeared as brothers in an episode of The King of Queens in the show's first season. Patricia Heaton has also appeared as a guest star.

• Ray appeared in the Hannah Montana episode "We're all in this date together" which portrayed him as himself. He was part of an auction and Hannah Montana did not know who he was and had never heard of the "Everybody loves Raymond" show. He is adamant that she should have, but when she doesn't understand who he is or what the show is he finishes by saying "It aired for nine years!".

• The Nanny; another famous sitcom has a crossover with the show. Fran went to high school with Raymond.

References

External links

• CBS's Everybody Loves Raymond official site
• Official syndication site
• Outtakes from the show
• Everybody Loves Raymond at the Internet Movie Database
• Everybody Loves Raymond at TV.com