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 ...
Re-read my first response 2 U.
Well, at least my name ain't Sue.
You pretty much summed up ELR in a nutshell. Frank and Robert have always been my favorite characters, although I'll never understand how Robert could have passed up that Italian hottie Stephania, for that shrew Amy.
Because Amy was a "good girl", remember? ;-)
Oh yea...Stephania! wow! You're right, what a hottie. The only bad thing about her was her father. (I think it was her father...the guy that bought the Pizzeria).
Of course, Amy's parents are a real piece of work too. So all things being equal...definitely Stephania! lol
I loved it when she called Robert a "bastardo"!
I'd rather have a bit of a bad little Italian hottie myself, but then, I'm a Reptile Republican... ;^)
You're right, I mispoke. I should have said she's not likable.
I knew she was a conservative, and that makes her even more dislikable to me. She's just downright mean to Ray, something not in character with conservatism.
Things went easier for you in the military, didn't they? If you were the highest ranked in the room, you could always have the last word.
Good luck with that here.
Each character in the show I can relate to.
I'm a little like Debra, not really quite as b*itchy, but sort of have my head on straight, but with a greater sense of humor.
My fil was much like Frank...gruff on the exterior , but he was a real sweetheart once a relationship was developed.
My mil IS Marie....without the perks....cleaning...cooking...etc. She moved in with us almost 2 years ago. Trust me, we get Marie without any of the housework benefits.
Now, the only difference is my hubby is like Raymond in some respects, but as far as being favorite or the youngest it's not so.
Our lives are stressed to the max with me being primary caregiver to my mil and hubby commuting 5-6 hours to and from work a day.
It seems that the little recreation we get is watching Raymond.
For us.....It's an inexpensive therapy session. We relate with laughter.
One of my favorite episodes was when Marie taught Debra how to make her special meatballs. Debra couldn't duplicate them at home because of Marie's spice switcheroo.
Who's the nutcase now, Ray? :-)
Sad it has to end!!
Ah! So that's it.
I hate this show.
I hate this show with a deep abiding passion.
I have never watched a complete episode of this show, and if I could, I would have those fragments burnt from my brain.
My parents have never missed an episode of this show. After all the years of watching, they think it is not only appropriate, but amusing to come barging into my home through any door at any time without calling first or even knocking.
I hate Raymond.
Yes, that's right, blame your parent's borish behavior on a television show. Something tells me that you had problems before they started watching Raymond because the show makes it clear that this type of behavior is not acceptable.
I'm sorry, but blaming their actions on a TV show is almost liberal-like behavior. Talk about not taking responsibility for one's actions and blaming them on something else. You should really talk with them.
Seriously. That's not right. They shouldn't do that to you.
That'll be my best shot unless I rent it--thanks for the suggestion. I also enjoyed some of Monty Python (the parrot), a little of Rowan Atkinson's "Mr Bean"(the Thanksgiving one with the turkey), but couldn't stand Benny Hill.
True, but it's funny you'd be surprised the number of people that didn't like Frasier that much because they thought it was too sophisticated...had to think and listen closely to get the humor. Not me, I loved it!
I always got a kick out of Atkinson's other series, The Black Adder. So much so that I bought the entire collection on DVD.
"Real Men" do NOT watch "Will and Grace", especially "Mountain Men". You can quote me on that.
Whew, you know I'm ashamed to say I've never seen it. I do know it had a tremendous following. Must say I'm fairly sporadic when it comes to British humor also. Some I love and some I find a little too slapstickish for me.
If you enjoy Rowan Atkinson, I'd highly recommend the "Blackadder" series. An historic tour-de-farce of English history from the Middle Ages to WW1.
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