Posted on 05/16/2005 7:40:32 AM PDT by AmishDude
The success of CBS's "Everybody Loves Raymond" offers several lessons today's TV executives would do well to recognize:
It takes time to grow a hit.
When "Raymond" premiered in September 1996, the show aired at 8:30 p.m. Friday and had terrible ratings. Critics raved about it, but viewers didn't find it. CBS paid attention to the critical plaudits and moved "Raymond" to 8:30 p.m. Monday in 1997, where it grew into a hit.
(Excerpt) Read more at post-gazette.com ...
"We are very aware of the children that may be watching," Rosenthal said. "Even though we try to keep the humor adult, in the condom episode not once do we say 'condom.' When Marie made a sculpture of the female anatomy, we never mentioned what it was. We are very aware of the responsibility of being on television."Refreshing.
I loved this show, I am going to miss it. It was refreshing to have an adult theme without the in your face writing. Every married person could laugh at this stuff!
I've seen every rerun at least 20 times. Watch them over and over again!
We love Everybody loves Raymond.
Don't ever watch it on Monday nights, though, we always catch the reruns in the early evening. Can't possibly give up "24".
So, when the Romano character famously refers to himself in one episode as a "sexual camel", you were aware that my children may have been watching? How considerate of you.
That's the wonder of the VCR. Record one thing, watch another.
I think it is THOSE states that are driving out rural conservatives-
Raymond: Nowwwww!
Gerard: Nowwwww!
Raymond: Nowwwwwwwwww!
Gerard: Nowwwwwwwwww!
(My favorite episode. Hilarious, especially Gerard's accordion version of Smoke on the Water.)
I like the show, but after watching a few episodes, they are just reruns of the same 'o' same 'o'. Of course this is the same for nearly all tv shows.
Raymond is funny, but his wife is a real *itch. Can't watch it 'cuz of her. She's just not funny.
I'm that way with "Will And Grace." I hear the media rave about it, but I can never watch more than 5 minutes. Its just got one horse, and they beat it constantly.
The overriding theme of successful tv comedy is to make the principle male look like an idiot and a wimp whose wife barely tolerates his existance.
I rather like Patricia Heaton. She's very pro-life as well. I like her character too, it's the mother that I CANNOT STAND!
Of course this is the same for nearly all tv shows.
I have seldom seen this show.
"It takes time to grow a hit."
I always loved the show. Frank was my favorite. I will miss it.
As for the quote, it is very true. Too many shows die and early death because they are not given a chance. Two that come to mind are Freaks and Geeks, and Undeclared. Now, it appears Arrested Development may suffer the same fate.
I agree with you. I had never watched the show. Just happen to catch a re-run on TBS and it was the sculpture one. I couldn't believe, (but really could) that this was supposed to be a family show. How stupid do they think children are?
Disclaimer: to anyone reading this...this is just my opinion. You may have a different opinion, that is fine, please disagree in a respectful manner. No need to trash and bash.
I have never watched one minute of this show, or Steinfeld, or Friends. I didn't allow myself to drop to the government school educated level of 5th grade.
I wonder why so many people are watching these shows when there is so much to experience in life.
I got rid of my TV and I've done so much lately that I surprised myself.
I was able to take that time I wasted and did a business part time which allowed me to travel to Europe.
If I wasted time watching TV...I never would have been able to go!
And speaking of going...I have to go now.....I'm working on making more money to travel to Australia in the next month or so.
I'll miss new eps, but there's always reruns. :) I, for one, loved Raymond.
Great. She's one of the few Conservatives in Hollywood and you don't like her character.
It was a very cute show.
Never watched it much, though.
Two weeks ago the entire show was one sexual reference after another. I really enjoy the show, but to be honest it never really was a family show, and I do not permit my kids to stay up and watch it. If the kids are up, "Raymond" was off. Having said that, I will be sad to see it go, it was really one of the last truly funny shows on the air... much more of a reality sho than the (despite what they tell you) HEAVILY SCRIPTED shows like Survivor, Amazing Race, American Idol... anyone who believes that stuff is even remotely spontaneous belongs in that audience.
[Husband and wife are trying out for a talent show. After stumbling around, the slightly-built husband ends up on the wife's lap.]
Director: Well, here's a new act: A girl ventriliquist with a life-sized dummy!
Wife: This isn't a dummy, it's my husband.
Director: Your husband?
Wife: That's right, his name is [John Smith].
Director: You mean he's alive, flesh and blood? That he can walk and talk and make love like other men?
Wife: No! I'm telling you, he's [John Smith]!
I substituted the name of the husband. Where is this dialogue from?
Where would the writers on "Raymond" and "Seinfeld" be, if they couldn't have someone inappropriately, opening a personal door, bursting in on some embarassing scene? It seems that in every Seinfeld or Raymond episode I happened upon, while surfing, it always heppened one way or the other...gets old, real quick.
To me this is campy regional humor. I don't like wise crackers from NY....hate Letterman, the original wise a$$.
Well, It might have been George on Seinfeld, but Ray does proclaim himself a "sex camel" during an argument with Debra where she gets mad at him and tells him she has a headache.
Yep, every show on tv goes to the same joke writers. It is just like the evening news, the same jokes get used on different shows in the same week. Only a confirmed curmudgeon could tell you that. My family HATES to watch tv with me, I know what will happen and the lines that will be milked for a laugh.
The series should end with a divorce. Those two characters clearly don't like each other.
I never liked this show until I got married and had kids.
Boy you are 'so' full of yourself!
WOW! Good for you. Less TV is always a good thing. Keep up the good work.
"I wonder why so many people are watching these shows when there is so much to experience in life."
And I wonder why you are wasting time talking about things you claim you don't care about.
I'm with you. They should divorce. Ray is a lazy slob. His mother is a control freak. The old man tells it like it is. Robert is adorable. I'm still waiting for the wife to tell Marie off, in spades. Can you imagine this show when the kids grow up and all the inherited Barone genes kick in??
Duh.............ROFLMAO. Busted!
*Sigh*
Prigs on Patrol.
shakin' my head here.
There doesn't appear to be anything that can't or doesn't offend them, even when they have to HUNT for something.
There must be something wrong with me as I'm rarely offended.
btw, have you ever heard of the comedian Ron White? Just discovered him and he's hysterical!!
Letterman's from Indiana.
Agreed. There seems to be a general lack of the 'humor' gene at Free Republic anymore.
I find both Seinfeld and Raymond hilarious and I watch when I can.
The humor is harmless and the shows are well-written with fun characters.
I think it's hilarious that Debra has been called a *itch and that people can't stand Marie! Kudos to those fine actresses since that is the role they were paid to play! lol
I'll bet "Debra" hits a bit too close to home for some!
Now I feel soooo inferior after being lectured to. Once in a while it's just best to keep ones opinions to themselves. By the way, are you going to Australia to lecture them on how to live?
That Arrested Development probably won't be having a long run is a very sad thing to me. It would be nice to see the DVD sales for it take off like they did for Family Guy and encourage the network to bring it back. They are both on the Fox Network and they have seemed very committed to AD. I guesss they do realize when they have something that is really good.
The shoe fits; anyway...didn't mean to impy he was originally a NY'er. Thanks for the info.
"I have never watched one minute of this show, or Steinfeld, or Friends. I didn't allow myself to drop to the government school educated level of 5th grade."
Were you wearing your smoking jacket and reading Aristophanes when you typed this?
LOL! Still wiping the tears from my eyes.
Good one!
By George, I think you hit the nail on the head. LOL.
I have neihbors that are a real-life Marie and Frank. They never fail to make me laugh.
They don't always stay with a good show - as much as I can't stand Aaron Sorkin, I thought Sports Night was one of the most regrettable cancellations ever.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.