It’s been nearly 30 years since “Everybody Loves Raymond” premiered on CBS, giving the Eye network a bona fide hit sitcom that helped revive the network’s primetime fortunes. Now, CBS will revisit that time and the enduring legacy of the Ray Romano-fronted show with “Everybody Loves Raymond: 30th Anniversary Special,” set to air on Monday, Nov. 24 at 8 p.m. on CBS (and streaming on Paramount+).
Romano, who won a comedy lead actor Emmy for the series, will host the 90-minute special along with series creator Phil Rosenthal. The reunion will take place on a soundstage where the Barone family’s living room was recreated for the event.
Besides Romano, who played sportswriter and family man Ray Barone on “Everybody Loves Raymond,” series stars also joining in on the special include Patricia Heaton (Debra), Brad Garrett (Robert), Monica Horan (Amy), Madylin Sweeten (Ally) and Sullivan Sweeten (Michael).
Fulwell Entertainment, which was behind the special “Friends: The Reunion,” celebrating another landmark 1990s sitcom, is also the producer on “Everybody Loves Raymond: 30th Anniversary Reunion.”
“Everybody Loves Raymond” lasted for nine seasons, from September 13, 1996, to May 16, 2005. Created as a showcase for rising stand-up comedian Romano, “Everybody Loves Raymond” wasn’t a hit at first, struggling to get any traction in a Friday time slot. But by spring of its first season, “Raymond” moved to Mondays — where it soon took off. The comedy remained on Mondays for the rest of its run.
“Raymond” landed 15 Emmys (out of 69 nominations) during its run — including for outstanding comedy in 2002 and 2005. (Romano, Heaton, Garrett and Roberts also won Emmys during the show’s run.) The series also won the comedy ensemble award at the SAG Awards, and picked up the Writers Guild of America award for episodic comedy in 2002.
Per the logline for the special, “Everybody Loves Raymond: 30th Anniversary Special” will feature “candid conversations with castmates Brad Garrett, Patricia Heaton, Monica Horan, Madylin Sweeten and Sullivan Sweeten, as well as never-before-seen outtakes and commentary from the cast on how they became one of America’s most beloved families. The special will also include a moving tribute to Doris Roberts and Peter Boyle, whose unforgettable portrayals of Marie and Frank Barone made them fan favorites and the emotional anchors of the series. Cast, crew and special guests will share heartfelt reflections on how this dynamic duo redefined the roles of interfering mother-in-law and couch-potato dad into lovable pillars of the Barone family.”
Fulwell Entertainment’s credits also include “The Kardashians,” “Elton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium” and “Encanto at the Hollwood Bowl.” Executive producers include Romano, Rosenthal, Rory Rosegarten, Eddy Yablans, Gabe Turner, Emma Conway and Eric Pankowski for Fulwell Entertainment.
Separately, MeTV announced Wednesday that “Everybody Loves Raymond” will join the classic TV network starting Monday, Oct. 13, with two back-to-back episodes weeknights from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET. The show will also air on Sunday nights from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET.
“Everybody Loves Raymond” joins a lineup that includes “M*A*S*H,’ ‘The Andy Griffith Show,’ ‘The Carol Burnett Show’ and more. “What makes Everybody Loves Raymond special is that it is truly rooted in the timeless traditions of classic comedy, with standout characters, performances, writing, humor, heart and quality,” said Weigel Broadcasting vice chairman Neal Sabin.
