‘Everybody Loves Raymond’ Creator Claims Network Wanted a ‘Hotter’ Actress to Play Debra Instead of Patricia Heaton
Ray Romano‘s hit series, Everybody Loves Raymond, continues to be one of television’s most beloved dysfunctional families and is adored for its spectacular supporting cast including Patricia Heaton, Brad Garrett, Doris Roberts, and Peter Boyle. Romano stars as a Long Island sports writer, Ray Barone, whose life with his wife and kids is anything but boring thanks to his older brother, Robert, and his parents who live right next door.
Even though Everybody Loves Raymond originally aired back in 1996, the sitcom has stood the test of time with memorable episodes and cheeky characters who audiences grew to love and consider almost members of their own families. Out of the show’s 9 seasons, these are 10 of the best episode of Everybody Loves Raymond, according to IMDb!
In the series finale, Ray has to have his tonsils removed but knowing his family and their dramatics, he and Debra (Heaton) try to keep the minor procedure a secret. Of course, no one in the Barone family can keep a secret and when there are some slight complications during the surgery, everyone starts to wonder what life would be like without Ray.
‘The Finale’ has a perfect combination of heartfelt and humorous moments that is a fitting send-off to the beloved Barone family. The episode brought in the show’s largest audience out of its nine-season run and was proceeded by a behind-the-scenes documentary of filming the episode that made it one of the top television series finales.
This year for Thanksgiving, Ray and his family are spending the holiday with Robert’s (Garrett) new wife, Amy (Monica Heron) and her parents, Pat (Georgia Engel) and Hank (Fred Willard). Everyone surprisingly manages to get along but when a bird flies into the house and is killed by Pat, the families declare a civil (and ridiculous) war.
‘The Bird’ is an absurd Thanksgiving episode that tailors the history of the holiday to the families’ current situation which is, of course, not in any way the same as the Pilgrims and American Indians. Between Ray’s pathetic shirtless performance and Pat and Hank’s politely spoken insults, ‘The Bird’ is hands-down one of the best Everybody Loves Raymond episodes.
Robert is shocked to discover that his mother-in-law, Pat, secretly smokes cigarettes and begs him not to tell anyone. He reluctantly agrees to keep his lips sealed but when Amy smells smoke on him, she and the rest of the family start to think that he’s the secret smoker making it even harder for Robert to keep Pat’s secret to himself.
On the day of Amy and Robert’s wedding, Amy’s brother, Peter (Chris Elliot) tries to bury the hatchet between himself, Ray, and Robert over the past, but Robert isn’t buying it and suspects he’s up to something. While Ray keeps an eye on Peter for Robert, Amy learns firsthand what kind of mother-in-law she’s getting when Marie surprisingly objects to the marriage.
Elliot reprises his role as Amy’s quirky brother, Peter, who always manages to add fuel to a fire with his immature antics and pranks. While Ray’s not-so-brilliant detective work and the multiple mishaps are the episodes’ main focus, Robert and Amy’s first dance together make ‘Robert’s Wedding’ an unforgettable episode.
