The Surprising Truth About ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’ Creator Phil Rosenthal’s Career After the Hit Sitcom Ended
When Everybody Loves Raymond aired its final episode in 2005, fans thought they were saying goodbye not just to the Barone family—but maybe to Phil Rosenthal as well. As the show’s co-creator and executive producer, Rosenthal had delivered one of TV’s most beloved sitcoms. But instead of fading into the background, he did something totally unexpected…
He reinvented himself.
Let’s take a deep dive into the surprising, inspiring, and sometimes delicious second act of Phil Rosenthal’s career.
📺 Who Is Phil Rosenthal? (Quick Refresher)
Before we get into the “after,” let’s rewind a little. Phil Rosenthal was the brilliant mind behind Everybody Loves Raymond, alongside star Ray Romano. Rosenthal helped shape the series’ authentic tone, blending real-life family awkwardness with timeless humor.
But when the sitcom ended after 9 successful seasons and multiple Emmy wins, Rosenthal didn’t jump into another comedy. Nope—he took an entirely different road.
🍽️ The Birth of a Foodie: How Travel Changed Everything
You might expect Rosenthal to churn out another sitcom or produce movies. Instead, he followed his stomach—and his heart—into a completely new genre.
Enter “I’ll Have What Phil’s Having” (2015), a PBS travel-food show that blended humor, culture, and cuisine. Rosenthal explored cities like Tokyo, Barcelona, and Paris, tasting local dishes while cracking jokes like your funniest uncle at dinner.
Why It Worked:
Phil wasn’t a trained chef or a snobby critic. He was us, experiencing new food with wide-eyed wonder. That made the show instantly relatable—and ridiculously charming.
🌍 ‘Somebody Feed Phil’: A Netflix Success Story
In 2018, Netflix debuted “Somebody Feed Phil”, a bigger, brighter, and more globally focused follow-up to his PBS show. And guess what? It exploded in popularity.
The format was simple yet genius: Phil travels the world, eats incredible food, meets incredible people, and makes dad jokes the whole time. Sounds like a dream job, right?
Fan-Favorite Destinations Include:
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Bangkok
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Istanbul
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Rio de Janeiro
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New Orleans
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Lisbon
😢 Heart + Humor = Magic
What sets Somebody Feed Phil apart is its emotional depth. Phil often ends episodes with a heartfelt video call to his parents, Max and Helen—who, by the way, inspired Frank and Marie Barone.
When they passed away, Phil honored them in some of the show’s most touching moments. It proved he’s not just a funny guy; he’s a deeply empathetic storyteller.
🎬 Behind the Scenes: Producing and Directing Work
Though his face is now a familiar one to fans of travel TV, Phil has continued to work behind the camera. He’s been involved in writing, directing, and producing various smaller projects—though none have matched Raymond‘s sitcom fame.
Still, his commitment to quality storytelling remains rock solid.
📚 Author Alert: Phil’s Books Will Make You Laugh and Cry
Phil didn’t stop with TV. He also dipped into writing.
His 2022 book, “Somebody Feed Phil the Book”, is part travel journal, part recipe book, and part memoir. It gives fans a peek into his food adventures—complete with behind-the-scenes stories and heartfelt reflections.
Bonus: If you love food and funny stories, it’s a must-read.
🌟 Phil Rosenthal’s Unique Brand of Joy
At the core of everything Rosenthal touches—whether it’s sitcoms or street food—is his commitment to spreading joy. He’s quirky, curious, and always authentic. That energy translates beautifully across genres, making him one of the rare creators who excel in both scripted comedy and unscripted reality.
🎤 Phil on Podcasts, Panels, and Public Speaking
Phil is also a popular guest on comedy and entertainment podcasts, frequently sharing his insights on writing, creativity, and following your passion. He’s appeared on shows like:
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SmartLess
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WTF with Marc Maron
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The Moment with Brian Koppelman
His advice? Stay curious. Stay kind. And never stop learning.
🌐 A Global Ambassador of Good Vibes
Whether he’s cracking a joke in Tokyo or eating gumbo in New Orleans, Phil radiates positivity. In a world that often feels divided, his shows remind us of our shared love of good food, family, and laughter.
It’s powerful stuff—and it’s no wonder people from all walks of life connect with him.
💡 Lessons from Phil’s Career Pivot
So what can we learn from Phil’s surprising career after Everybody Loves Raymond?
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You Don’t Need to Stay in One Lane
Who says a sitcom writer can’t become a food-travel host? Reinvention is possible. -
Authenticity Wins
Phil never tries to be something he’s not. He leans into his quirks—and it works. -
Passion is Everything
Follow what lights you up, even if it doesn’t make sense on paper. -
Laughter + Love is a Universal Language
Whether it’s comedy or cuisine, Rosenthal proves joy is a bridge between people.
🍷 What’s Next for Phil Rosenthal?
As of 2025, Somebody Feed Phil continues to release new seasons. Phil has hinted at more episodes, more books, and maybe even new formats in the future. He’s also using his platform to promote charitable causes and support local restaurants around the world.
So yeah—Phil Rosenthal might’ve started in the sitcom lane, but he’s driving full speed ahead into something much bigger.
Conclusion
Phil Rosenthal’s post-Everybody Loves Raymond journey is a masterclass in reinvention. He went from writing jokes in a writers’ room to exploring the world with a fork and a smile. And in doing so, he reminded all of us that it’s never too late to try something new, chase joy, and share it with others.
His career after Raymond didn’t slow down—it evolved. And honestly? It might be even more inspiring than the show that made him famous.
FAQs
1. Is Phil Rosenthal still working in television?
Yes! He continues to host Somebody Feed Phil on Netflix and is involved in several creative projects behind the scenes.
2. Is Somebody Feed Phil scripted?
Not really—while the show is planned and produced, Phil’s reactions and interactions are genuine and unscripted.
3. Did Phil Rosenthal create any other sitcoms after Raymond?
No major sitcoms, but he did consult and produce smaller TV projects. His focus shifted more toward unscripted television and books.
4. Are Phil Rosenthal’s parents really like Marie and Frank?
Absolutely. In fact, they inspired those characters directly. Their cameos and video calls on Somebody Feed Phil were fan favorites.
5. Where can I watch Somebody Feed Phil?
All seasons are available to stream on Netflix.
