I think that comedy is probably my favourite genre of television programme. There have been so many over the years that I have enjoyed, such as Friends, Only Fools and Horses, Dad’s Army, Benidorm, Miranda and Are You Being Served? So, as you can see, quite a time range there. But my absolute favourite has got to be Everybody Loves Raymond.

The show is centered on the life of Raymond Barone, who is a sportswriter for Newsday, he lives with his family on Long Island. Raymond often avoids responsibilities around the house and with his kids, leaving this to wife Debra. The Barone children are regular characters but not a major focus.

Raymond’s parents, Marie and Frank, live across the street with older son Robert, who frequently make their presence known to the annoyance of mainly Debra;  Debra’s complaints about Raymond’s family is one of the show’s comedic elements.  Marie is an insulting, controlling and manipulative (although ultimately caring) woman who criticizes Debra passive-aggressively and praises Ray, clearly favouring him over other son “Robbie”.

Raymond and Debra’s marriage is fraught with conflicts. Raymond prefers sports television over discussions with Debra on marital matters. One of the show’s recurring elements finds the couple having a discussion in bed each night before going to sleep.

My favourite episode has to be Season Nine, Episodes One and Two, entitled “The Home” and “Not So Fast,” where Frank and Marie decide to move into a retirement community, much to everyone’s joy.  I love it when Raymond, Debra, Robert and Amy find out and they go into the kitchen:

Unfortunately things do not go as planned and whilst Debra and Ray go to visit them, they are summoned into the office and are told that Frank and Marie have to leave as they have upset all the residents. Of course, they end up back at their old house, much to the despair of Raymond and Amy, who had bought it for $26,000.

Fun Facts:

In the episode, “Halloween Candy,” Frank gives the same speech about morality he gave to Robert Di Niro’s character in Taxi Driver, (1976).

The plate of food in the end credits is different for every episode. 

Phil Rosenthal, who was the creator and writer of Everybody Loves Raymond is married to Amy (Robert’s wife) in real life and he would often transfer their arguments to the show.