Everybody Loves Raymond first began on US television in September 1996 and lasted for a memorable 9 seasons until May 2005. Audiences fell in love with Ray Barone and his family so much that the full 210 are still broadcast daily across the world today. Created by Phil Rosenthal and starring Ray Romano, Everybody Loves Raymond is a true-to-life situational comedy following Ray (Romano) and his wife Debra (Patricia Heaton) as they settle into a domesticated, suburban lifestyle with their daughter and two twin boys.
1. Michael and Geoffrey Barone Weren’t The Original Names For The Twins
In real life Ray Romano is father to twin boys and a girl. Geoffrey and Michael, Ray’s twin boys in Everybody Loves Raymond were originally called Geoffrey and Matthew in the pilot episode. The twins were played by Sawyer and Sullivan Sweeten who are actually the brothers of Madylin Sweeten, their onscreen sister Ally. Ally is also the real name of Ray Romano’s daughter. She appeared on the show herself as Molly, the character Ally’s friend. Yes, Peggy’s daughter!
2. Everybody Loves Raymond Was Commissioned After 5 Minutes
During the 1990s, American comics were successfully turning their stand up acts into sitcoms such as Roseanne (Roseanne Barr). When Ray Romano, a stand up comedian for 12 years by this point, did a 5 minute set on The Late Show with David Letterman in 1995, lawyers began working on a sitcom deal behind the scenes before the set had finished.
3. Phil Rosenthal Was Hired From His Frasier Speculative Script
Everybody Loves Raymond’s showrunner Phil Rosenthal was considered for the role after sending a speculative script for a Frasier episode into David Letterman’s production company Worldwide Pants. It’s said that the only involvement Letterman had in the show’s production was a meeting to sign Rosenthal’s contract where he told him, “Don’t Embarrass Us!”
4. Ray Romano Really Has A Brother Called Robert
Ray Romano does indeed have a brother called Robert. In real life however Romano states that he actually modelled Robert Barone’s character on another sibling, Richard. Ray’s brother Richard Romano is also responsible for coming up with the name ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’ after saying it when Romano brought home a stand up comedy award.
5. Robert Barone Was Initially Imagined As Danny DeVito
Now that is something we would love to have seen! Actor Brad Garrett who played Robert Barone has stated that the channel CBS originally wanted his character to be a small, bulldog type man modelled on Danny DeVito. Garrett on the other hand is a much taller man than DeVito and his height ends up becoming a recurring joke between the two onscreen brothers.
6. 100 Actors Auditioned For Marie Barone
One hundred actors auditioned to play Ray’s overbearing and meddling Mother, Marie Barone before Doris Roberts was chosen. At the time of her audition, Roberts claimed that she was too busy directing a 23-character play to be involved in a brand new television show. We’re very glad she changed her mind!
7. The Barone Houses Are Really Across The Street From Each Other
The exterior shots used for Ray and Debra Barone’s house is 135 Margaret Boulevard in Merric
8. Everybody Loves Raymond and The King Of Queens Are Set In The Same ‘Universe’
Actor Kevin James originally starred in Everybody Loves Raymond as Kevin, one of Ray Barone’s friends who regularly visits to watch the game. However James went on to secure the lead role of Doug Heffernan – an IPS delivery driver – in his own show, The King Of Queens.
9. Everybody Loves Raymond Expanded To Russia
Showrunner Phil Rosenthal was asked to adapt Everybody Loves Raymond into a successful Russian format in 2009. His experience in the country was filmed for a documentary called Exporting Raymond.
Everybody Loves Raymond has also been adapted for other international audiences including Poland under the name “Everybody Loves Roman”, Egypt as “Close Doors”, India as “Sumit Will Handle Everything”, the Czech Republic as “Everybody Loves Rudy” and in The Netherlands it has been rebranded as “Everybody Is Crazy About Jack”.
10. Everybody Loves Raymond Has A Friends Connection
Maggie Wheeler, who plays Chandler’s Girlfriend Janice on Friends originally auditioned for Debra however went on to play Linda, Debra’s friend. Jane Sibbett, who played Ross’ first wife Carol on Friends, declined the part of Debra.
