Everything I learned about successful TV from 'Everybody Loves Raymond'

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ^ | May 15, 2005 | Rob Owen

[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.

[AmishDude]

Here is what I consider to be the money paragraph:

"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.

[WV Mountain Mama]

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!

[bonfire]

I've seen every rerun at least 20 times. Watch them over and over again!

[baseballmom]

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".

[Luddite Patent Counsel]

"We are very aware of the children that may be watching," Rosenthal said.

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.

[CCCnative]

That's the wonder of the VCR. Record one thing, watch another.

[R. Scott]

I think it is THOSE states that are driving out rural conservatives-

I have tried to watch the show – but I still don’t love Raymond. But, heck – I didn’t like “Seinfeld.” either. Guess I’m just not citified enough.

[macamadamia]

Raymond: Nowwwww!

Gerard: Nowwwww!

Raymond: Nowwwwwwwwww!

Gerard: Nowwwwwwwwww!


(My favorite episode. Hilarious, especially Gerard's accordion version of Smoke on the Water.)

[jeremiah]

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.

[Balding_Eagle]

Raymond is funny, but his wife is a real *itch. Can't watch it 'cuz of her. She's just not funny.

[mountn man]

I have tried to watch the show – but I still don’t love Raymond. But, heck – I didn’t like “Seinfeld.” either. Guess I’m just not citified enough.

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.

[Blood of Tyrants]

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.

[Romish_Papist]

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!

[R. Scott]

Of course this is the same for nearly all tv shows.

That could be why I’m turned off by most of today’s sitcoms. It is hard to come up with something different every week when the writers have to follow the formula.

[Lazamataz]

I have seldom seen this show.

[conservativebabe]

"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.

[yellowdoghunter]

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.

[RetiredArmy]

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.

[Radioactive]

Never watched it...never will....too much to do and so little time to waste watching hellevision.

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.

[TheBigB]

I'll miss new eps, but there's always reruns. :) I, for one, loved Raymond.