Everything I learned about successful TV from 'Everybody Loves Raymond'

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ^ | May 15, 2005 | Rob Owen

[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.

[ValerieUSA]

...yeah, a lot of times, her character is a b*tch, but sometimes the only person with any common sense can come across that way.

Exactly.
I hate it when a bumbling man expects me to say with complete sincerity, "It's okay that you weren't considerate and did not do what you said you would. I was counting on you and that was my mistake, because I deserve to be treated like sh!t." Sarcasm happens, and it's b!tchy.

[WV Mountain Mama]

You sound like my hubby. He thinks it is a stupid show. Of course he hates tv in general, and can't ever "lighten up" enough to just sit back and watch something silly and funny. LOL!

[motzman]

I did a search to make sure, but saw no reference to the "camel" joke attribute to "ELR".

Although I wouldn't be surprised that the joke was recycled, since "sexual camel" is somewhat of an old joke---kinda of like "milking the horse" (or bull)

[pnz1]

I think a lot of it is stuff we could see ourselves doing. I like the suitcase episode, where each of them walked over and around it to avoid putting it up.

[Tanniker Smith]

And, of course, as long as there's sex at the end of the day, a guy can overlook b!tchiness. (A guy can overlook a lot of things for sex, actually. And if he can't, well, that's why there's a light switch. 8-) )

Btw, I'm not in the camp that thinks these two should get divorced because they obviously hate each other. In fact, it's obvious that the two love each other, and not just in a sexual way (although that's what you seem to see the most of, or at least, what gets implied or talked about more.)

TS

[macamadamia]

Frank's answer was "I've learned to live without!"

LOL. He delivered that one perfectly.

[SONbrad]

Bingo! There are too many people in this life who just don't know how to relax and suspend reality for 30 minutes.

[dmz]

I love and still watch and hoot at Seinfeld reruns. Silly is no problem for me at all. I think Ray is geared more towards women. Hence the 9pm Monday timeslot where for most of the year, we men are watching sports!

[CyberAnt]

I'm very unhappy their final show is going to come up against 24 - and I'm not going to miss 24.

[bonfire]

I SOOOO related to that suitcase episode!! It's a show about real life with all it's quirks.

[fatnotlazy]

I've seen every rerun at least 20 times. Watch them over and over again!

***

I discovered this show rather late...then I kept forgetting it was on, so I am grateful the reruns will be around for a while.

[Luddite Patent Counsel]

Yes, the "camel" reference was definitely "recycled' on ELR. In looking at my posts, I think some clarification is in order. ELR is not my cup of tea, but if you find it amusing and want to watch, as millions of people do every week, God bless you. My point is that it is disingenuous for the producer to prattle on about it being a "family" show, and tout his sensitivity to kids in the audience. The language and situations on the show are frequently unsuitable for children. I think "Seinfeld" is one of the funniest shows ever, but I don't want to have to explain "spongeworthy", "like a frightened turtle", or "master of my domain" to my 5-year-old. That applies even more so to the repeated casual use of words like "bastard", "sex", and "ass" on ELR.

[bonfire]

I tried not to watch this season so they will be new to me in reruns.

[fatnotlazy]

But, heck – I didn’t like “Seinfeld.” either. Guess I’m just not citified enough.

***

I didn't like Seinfeld either. My friends and co-workers thought something was wrong with me because I didn't like it. But I just thought the characters were too self-absorbed to the point of being annoying. Good acting, I'm sure, but I just couldn't relate to any of them. And I didn't find any of them funny.

[WV Mountain Mama]

That's ok. I tried to sit through a "Desperate Housewives" episode to see what the buzz was about. I couldn't make it. I just don't get it. However, I love "The Sopranos", go figure.

[kms61]

It's okay. Not a classic. Not even great IMHO but it doesn't irk me like a lot of shows. Occasionally a good laugh.

[bonfire]

I don't get it either. I thought it was supposed to be "hilarious" but I guess it went right over my head!

When does this season of Soprano's begin?

[ozzymandus]

I like the show, but I've never seen any review that came to the conclusion I did: Everyone in the show is an idiot, a bitch, or a monster, or some combination of those. Otherwise, it pretty much follows the sit-com formula established in the 60's. Dumb Dad, smart Mom, nosy in-laws, goofy brother-in-law, wacky friends, etc. The only difference is, they're all terrible people. I think the humor comes mainly from the cartoonish behavior of all the characters.

[fatnotlazy]

And I'm that way with the reality shows -- so many people in my office get all in a blither the morning after one of them airs, and they can't understand why I don't watch them. I have a friend who is hooked on The Apprentice. I can't watch that for more than 2 minutes without becoming sick.

I love the Sopranos...I don't have HBO so I can't watch them, but I buy the previous seasons on DVD/video when they come out.

[R. Scott]

Formula TV – one episode went over great, so all episodes have to imitate it.