[ecurbh]

Everybody Loves Raymond

I don't.

[So Cal Rocket]

Did they get tired of yelling at each other for 30 minutes straight, once a week, for nine years in a row?

[Horatio Gates]

ELR was my favorite primetime show. Diamond in the rough at SeeBS. The parallels between my mom and grandmother (RIP) were very close with the dynamics between Marie and Debra Barone. Patricia Heaton is gorgeuos too. I'll iss it.

[newsworthy]

A brilliant show. When I first saw and heard references to it, I thought it was just another plodding sitcom about a dysfunctional family. When I happened to watch an episode, though, I found that it had first-rate writing/acting. Romano (or perhaps Rosenthal?) is a miniaturist, a keen observer of human nature. He makes great comic hay of people's weaknesses and foibles as they play out in the mundane life of the family . The arguments and intrigues between the characters are funny precisely because they are so real, though exaggerated for comic effect. Through humor Romano tries to reconcile the audience to the inevitable frustrations of close relationships---a nice encouragement for families.

Not every show was brilliant (and the quality waned a bit toward the end as the writers ran out of ideas), but there were many gems along the way. A Sac Bee Reviewer sees it much the way I do:

And when "Raymond" leaves the air tonight with a one-hour retrospective (at 7 on Channel 13), and a simple 30-minute final episode (at 8), this conventional-looking, spectacularly original series will leave television with a huge hole. There is nothing out there remotely like it in appeal, depth or authenticity.

(See Ya', Everybody)

[Aggie Mama]

I'm so sad that the show ended. I remember there were a few episodes that I laughed so hard I scared the baby. =)

[OESY]

Everybody Loves Raymond, RATHER NOT!

CBS suffers its chronic identity crisis-- but its
audience has a greater need for life support.

[rosy_toes]

I do LOVE Raymond - I think it is so funny. I found out after watching the 'E! True Hollywood Story' about Ray Romano, the sitcom is based on Ray's real life & family situations.

I think this is why it has done so well, I for 1 will be sorry to see it go.