At first glance, the end of Everybody Loves Raymond in 2005 didn’t make much sense. The show was a massive hit, drawing millions of viewers and dominating Monday night TV. Ratings were still high. The awards kept coming. The characters were beloved. So why pull the plug?
Turns out, the decision to end Everybody Loves Raymond was very intentional — and deeply personal.
It Wasn’t About Ratings — They Were Still Soaring
When Everybody Loves Raymond aired its final season, it was still one of the most-watched shows on network television. In fact, the series finale pulled in over 32 million viewers. That kind of viewership is unheard of today — and even back then, it was a clear sign the audience hadn’t lost interest.
So why would anyone cancel a show at its peak?
The Decision Came from the Inside — Not the Network
CBS would’ve happily kept the show going. But the decision didn’t come from executives looking to trim costs or shake up the lineup. It came from Ray Romano and the show’s creative team.
Romano, who not only starred in the series but was deeply involved in the writing and producing, felt it was time to bow out — and he had a very good reason.
Ray Romano Didn’t Want to Overstay His Welcome
In interviews, Romano shared that he never wanted Everybody Loves Raymond to be one of those shows that hung around too long. You know the type: they drag through lackluster seasons, recycle old storylines, and slowly lose their spark.
Romano once said, “When you’re getting the best ratings of your life, and you’re still on top, that’s when you go. You don’t wait until people are saying, ‘Oh, that’s still on?’”
Smart move.
The Cast Was Ready to Move On, Too
After nine seasons, the cast had spent nearly a decade playing the same characters. That’s a huge chunk of anyone’s career. And while the chemistry was still amazing, many of the actors were eager to try new things.
For example:
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Patricia Heaton went on to star in The Middle, another long-running sitcom.
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Brad Garrett launched his own show, ’Til Death, and pursued dramatic roles.
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Ray Romano dove into more serious acting in Men of a Certain Age and The Irishman.
They weren’t leaving because of drama. They were just ready for the next chapter.
Creative Burnout Was Starting to Set In
Nine seasons of fresh, funny, grounded family stories? That’s no easy feat. Writers were starting to feel the strain of keeping the material sharp and relatable.
Rather than risk watering down what made the show special, the team chose to go out with a strong final season — one that honored the characters and their journey.
Doris Roberts & Peter Boyle’s Age Factored In
The late Doris Roberts (Marie) and Peter Boyle (Frank) were two of the brightest stars on the show. But by the final season, their age and health were becoming concerns. Boyle passed away in 2006, just a year after the series ended.
Romano has since said that a big part of the decision to end the show when they did was to preserve the memory of the cast together at their best — not to see them decline on screen.
A Classy Ending — On Their Own Terms
Unlike many shows that get canceled without warning, Everybody Loves Raymond had the rare opportunity to end exactly how it wanted. The writers planned a soft, heartfelt finale that wrapped things up without fanfare — just another day in the life of the Barone family.
No weddings. No deaths. No dramatic cliffhangers. Just one last laugh, and then lights out.
And it worked. Critics and fans praised the final episode as the perfect goodbye.
The Legacy Lives On Stronger Than Ever
Even though it’s been off the air for nearly two decades, Everybody Loves Raymond continues to gain fans. Thanks to streaming platforms like Peacock and Paramount+, younger audiences are discovering the show for the first time.
And guess what? It still holds up. The humor, the characters, the family dynamics — it all feels just as fresh as it did in 1996.
What Makes This Exit So Unique?
Most shows either get yanked off the air too early or hang around too long. But Everybody Loves Raymond left at exactly the right time — when viewers were still laughing, still tuning in, and still wanting more.
Instead of fizzling out, it closed the curtain at its peak. That takes guts. And it’s a big reason the show is still remembered so fondly today.
The Cast Has Stayed Close
One of the sweetest legacies of the show is the bond between its stars. After the series ended, they remained friends and often praised each other in interviews. Ray Romano has called it “the greatest working experience of my life.”
In 2020, many of the cast members reunited virtually for a charity table read — proving the love (and the laughs) are still very much alive.
Why It Was The Right Call
Ending a mega-hit like Everybody Loves Raymond could’ve gone terribly wrong. But in this case, it turned out to be one of the smartest moves in TV history.
They didn’t burn out. They didn’t sell out. They walked away with their heads high — and their legacy intact.
Conclusion: Short-Lived? No. Perfectly Timed? Absolutely.
Everybody Loves Raymond wasn’t canceled because it failed. It was ended — deliberately and gracefully — because its creators loved it too much to let it go stale.
It’s the rare show that didn’t overstay its welcome. It didn’t drag. It didn’t fade away.
It just… ended. Perfectly.
And that’s why we still love it.
FAQs
1. Why did Everybody Loves Raymond end when it was still so popular?
Because Ray Romano and the creative team felt it was better to end strong than overstay their welcome. They wanted to go out on top.
2. Did CBS cancel the show or was it the creators’ decision?
It was entirely the decision of the creators and cast. CBS was open to more seasons.
3. Was there ever talk of a reboot or revival?
There’s been speculation, but the deaths of key cast members (like Peter Boyle and Doris Roberts) have made a revival unlikely.
4. Did the show end on a cliffhanger?
Nope. The finale was subtle and warm — just another day in the Barone household. It was intentionally low-key.
5. Where can I watch Everybody Loves Raymond now?
You can stream it on platforms like Peacock, Hulu, or buy the full series on Amazon Prime Video and DVD.
