Posted on 05/16/2005 7:40:32 AM PDT by AmishDude
The success of CBS's "Everybody Loves Raymond" offers several lessons today's TV executives would do well to recognize:
It takes time to grow a hit.
When "Raymond" premiered in September 1996, the show aired at 8:30 p.m. Friday and had terrible ratings. Critics raved about it, but viewers didn't find it. CBS paid attention to the critical plaudits and moved "Raymond" to 8:30 p.m. Monday in 1997, where it grew into a hit.
(Excerpt) Read more at post-gazette.com ...
"Frasier" is probably one of the most intelligent and well-written sit-coms ever produced in this country. To find a series as well done, you would usually have to look to the Britcoms for stuff like "Fawlty Towers" or "Father Ted".
agreed. sports night was one of the best shows ever.
Failing that, there are ways to acquire TV episodes on the net.
Yeah, and it wasn't what I call pratfall comedy. Just beautifully written with a lot of unexpected humor.
I'm actually not a big fan of ELR, but I won't turn it off if I run across it. My perception is that Raymond is actually marginally smarter than his wife, but that there's nothing he can do about it. Which is pretty much real life.
Boy, I couldn't agree with you more, and how refreshing it is to hear someone else who thinks that. Thought I was a "lone voice crying in the wilderness". Haven't seen "Father Ted", but really enjoy most of "Fawlty Towers".
so much for the private passing of an olive branch, eh? those who cannot handle having their opinions challenged on anonymous internet forums should perhaps consider taking up a new hobby. Can I suggest baking?
Very funny! My brother brought over a DVD of "They Call Me Tator Salad" and I laughed so hard I think I cracked a rib!
"Father Ted" ran for three years in the late '90s and was absolutely hillarious. I think it's available on DVD, and if you have it, BBCAmerica plays reruns from time to time. PBS runs it now and then, but usually during pledge drives.(BOO!)
I like the BBC sitcom with the female priest...can't think of her name or the show. Also the one about the black chef. (Drawing a blank today!)
Well aren't you just little Mary Sunshine.
Have a great day!
Yep. Plus, I could relate to the characters on “Cheers” and “Frasier”. I knew people like them. That was not true with “Sienfield” or “Raymond”.
Not sure, I think they are taping it now.
You haven't met my in-laws then. My MIL IS Marie! Always a little knife in the back......and no one is good enough for HER boys. Because of ELR, I can now laugh at her attempts to undermine me!
One has nothing to do with the other.
I can appreciate Clint Eastwood, Charlton Heston, Ronald Reagan, Shannon Doherty, etc. for who they are as Conservatives, while not enjoying every single character these actors portrayed. The same holds true for Ms. Heaton.
Thanks. Now that they've cancelled "Carnivale" and Soprano's being in the last season, I may have to cancel HBO.
Good thing you can no laugh.
Exactly...
Your basic Femi-Sitcom, male bashing, especially white male bashing.. opiate of the much maligned Oprah Harpocrites and Hillaryphonic riders of brooms(with vibrator).. male or female..
I would suggest that you haven't watched much of this particular show. There is plenty of Debra and Marie "bashing", if you want to call it that, in this show. I have to say that the producers and writers seem to make all characters fair game for showing their foibles.
Marie is the "nosy Mother in Law" that tries to bend everyone to her will.
Debra is the high-strung, has to be right about everything, thinks she's better than everyone else, wants-everything-perfect, wife.
Ray is the lazy, sports-obsessed, spoiled by his mama, husband.
Frank is the grouchy, demanding, hard-as-nails, father-in-law.
Robert is the sad, second-favorite, jealous, obsessed, brother.
Yet, throughout the show's run, they have all been shown in ppositive lights throughout the show in different ways.
It crosses racial boundaries. Look at the sitcom with George Lopez.
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