TV & Streaming Reviews

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Everybody Loves Raymond

Moral Rating:	usually OK
Primary Audience:	Teen to Adult
Genre:	Comedy
Length:	30 min.

Starring: Ray Romano, Patricia Heaton, Doris Roberts, Peter Boyle, Brad Garrett | Produced by: Worldwide Pants Incorporated & HBO

Show Synopsis: (from the producer) EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND, with standup comedian Ray Romano in the title role, revolves around Ray Barone, a successful sportswriter living on Long Island with his wife, Debra (Patricia Heaton), 9-year-old daughter, Ally, and 5-year-old twin sons, Geoffrey and Michael. That's the good news.

The bad news? Ray's meddling parents, Frank (Peter Boyle) and Marie (Doris Roberts), live directly across the street and embrace the motto "Su casa es mi casa," infiltrating their son's home to an extent unparalleled in television history. Frank's favorite expression, "holy crap," is shouted at regular intervals, and Marie's "cooking advice" is less than appreciated by Debra. Brother Robert (Brad Garrett), a divorced policeman, is constantly moving in and out of his parents' house, and loves to drop over and resent Ray's successful career and happy family life. Ray and Debra just wish someone would knock once in a while.

viewer comments…

Usually Okay—Raymond is the best sitcom on today. More appropriate for kids 13 and up, but not so bad for kids to watch. Compared to the cast of friends, the Barones are pretty solid and morally sound individuals. The show of-course has had its bad episodes, especially the ones where Ray is after Debra constantly for you know what, but there is much more favorable half hours than bad. All in all it's a solid, mature family comedy with plenty of laughs. BTW, Patricia Heaton (Debra Barone) is a rarity in Hollywood, as she is a Christian and she often points out in interviews how important Christ has been in her life.

Tim, age 23

Usually Okay—I enjoy this show tremendously - not so much for Raymond or his wife, but for the interfering mother-in-law. She is a hoot! I also like the brother of Raymond. I like Raymond too, but sometimes I don't like his wife. She appears almost too critical of Raymond at times, although I really can feel for her when the mother-in-law turns on her sarcasm.

Pat Snell, age 56

Usually Okay—Outside of a few objectionable jokes about sex and other things, this is a very enjoyable show. It is one of those shows where I can relax in front of and have a good time without compromising anything…that is nice to have.

Ben Webb, age 19

Usually Okay—This is one of the funniest shows out there! I don't recall any bad language, and there certainly isn't any nudity. The family is NOT dysfunctional … it is more normal than most people want to admit. Ray loves his wife and kids, and does the best he can considering the hold his mom has on him. Please!! Almost every mother uses some degree of guilt to control her kids - Ray's mom just exaggerates it - that's what makes this show funny!! For those of you who have commented negatively about its content, tell me, what on earth do you want, anyway??? If Everybody Loves Raymond still doesn't meet your Christian standards, than you better stick to watching Billy Graham, or better yet, get rid of your tv set. And by the way, I am a very devout Christian.

M, age 42

Avoid—This is a very funny show. From Ray's meddling parents to the over-competitiveness of his brother makes the show hilarious. So why should it be avoided? Well, it is based on a earlier episode when Ray accidentally freezed Allie's hamster. While the entire family was searching for closure for Allie, Ray's father took a blatant shot at Christianity. To say "holy crap" is bad enough, but to curse the Word of God, the Holy Bible, is completely unacceptable. I think every Christian who saw this episode would have been appalled and disgusted.

Jay Carr, age 35

Usually Okay—This is the funniest family sitcom since Home Improvement. Shows like this remind of us the realities of being in a family. It's not perfect and we have to learn to love each other regardless. You don't pick your family and this sitcom plays that theme better than any I've ever seen. It may offend some and I think that's ok. Sometimes we learn by watching others mistakes. This works as long as we don't glorify them. I recommend it!

Jeff South, age 35

Caution—I feel that this show may lead younger viewers to believe that being this dysfunctional is okay. I know there are a lot of families out there that are like the one on the show, but that's definitely not the example I want to set for younger viewers.

Dian Smith, age 39

Usually Okay—Give me a break!!! This show is just about the cleanest sitcom on the air right now. The family's disfunction is part of its charm. They do love each other in their own way. Stop overspiritualizing it. If I had my choice of what to watch on tv I would pick this show hands down. I think its hilarious and it will probably remind you of when you grew up. I'm glad to see a sitcom on tv who doesn't show the perfect family all smiles all the time. Every family has their own issues but they still love each other and that is this show.

amanda c., age 25

Caution—I think they are a very dysfunctional family. Two people of complete different backgrounds come together, have children and try to make a marriage work? I think it's as bad as the Rosanne Barr Show. They might be funny, but they do not address their problems in a loving, respectful manner. What do shows like these teach our children? Where have shows like Home Improvement gone? At least they were a functional family that offered logical and wise approaches to their problems. Is this what America is turning into? We are what we watch---aren't we?

Mary, age 40

Usually Okay—ELR is a funny and frustrating show. I enjoy watching it and get a kick out of the interactions between the characters. If there is one word that characterizes this family it is dysfunctional. Raymond has no idea how to be a loving father and husband. He shows no motivation or desire to be the best father/husband he can be. His mother can't take criticism yet dishes it out freely. She has a real complex. She also feels that if Ray and Deb want privacy it is somehow an offense to her. Frank is an idiot who cares nothing about anyone else but himself. Deb is the only normal/sane person on the whole show. Sometimes I just want to kick Raymond and tell him to be a father and husband. Funny thing is, it is all these different types of personalities put together that make this show so funny. Thank the Lord that our family isn't like that! PS. Ray/Deb--move to the other side of New York!

Jim, age 35

Usually Okay—I think this is a hilarious show, but like some others, I think the way they portray marriage is all wrong. Coming from a Christian-based marriage, my job as a wife is to submit to my husband, not make him look and feel stupid while always trying to outdo him. Besides this, however, I think the show is really funny.

Jayme, age 22

Avoid—I use to think that this sit-com was OK. Until I watched the show that was all about Ray and Roberts' dad. The whole show centered on Franks performance in the bed. Like how many times a week Frank and Marie made love. At the end of the show Ray and Robert where blow away because the old man out performs both of them. What a great show? Puke. Its just like Seinfeld. I don't need Ray and his "Holy crap" in my house anymore. Did anybody else see this episode?

Michael, age 39

Usually Okay—I think Debra has taught Raymond quite a few things that he never learned from his family growing up. What family out there is perfect? I think realistically this is close to the norm for families in America. I think the show has originality and for the most part is funny. Raymond is a pretty funny person, but his wife Debra always tops him. I do think the show should air Brad Garrett more. I think he is awesome at playing the big brother. I watch the show every night after work during the week. I get a kick out of it. Thanks for creating this show, its great.

Bobbi, age 37

Caution—Family has bad attitudes… caustic and unloving towards each other. No respect…not a good example of any kind of good family life.

Cal, age 58

Usually Okay—I personally love this show. However, I say that with some reservations. Though it is very funny and addresses many real life situations in a comedic forum, it's important to realize why it's funny. It's funny because it isn't the way a family or a marriage should be. It's okay if we can laugh and poke fun at the imperfections of Ray's family and marriage as long as we realize that real life families and marriages should not be that way. I admit, I laugh hysterically at half of what Raymond does because it reminds me so much of the man I used to be. But that's why I can laugh - because I know it was wrong and it is really funny to see how big of an idiot I used to be. Overall, this is a very tame show that rarely poses a threat to listening/watching older children, other than the occasional profanity or adult subject matter. Compared to what else is on TV, this show is very good.

Jason R, age 24

Usually Okay—I agree with the last reviewer of this show that it is wonderful for families. Raymond and his wife Debra are a wonderful loving couple who have three children, twin boy's and an older girl. What I love about this show is the way that family is glorified and is shown in a positive way. The one thing some Christian's might object to is how sometimes Debra refers to Ray as an "idiot." All in all this show is clean, funny, and pretty morally based.

Jennifer Conway, age 22

Usually Okay—This show has an optimistic yet cynical feel all it's own. It's a comedy about a family not necessarily a family comedy. The relationships between the parents and the adult children are strained at times but in the end the reality is they all love each other. I would recommend this for families with older children. It's a great way to open up discussion.

Sue, age 27

Comments from young people

Usually Okay—I love this show! Ray Romano is an awesomely talanted producer cum actor! Though there are times when Raymond and his wife doubt each other and as the others have said…bad family attitudes, overall…it's good if you just wanna have a good laugh! I've never heard any sexual jokes…

Grace Koh, age 18

Usually Okay—It is true that Raymond and Debra don't act as a husband and wife should act, but recognizing that just makes the show all the more funny. My grandparents are of italian decent and totally remind us of Frank and Marie, which they are sometimes affectionately called. However, I would not recommend this show for families unless pre-screened by parents. Bedroom goings on are mentioned occasionally which children should not be subjected to. There was one episode in particular which was completely inaccurate. It was a show in which Frank told the kids that since Raymond didn't take them to church, they were going to hell. As Christians, we know that our eternal fate depends on our relationship with Jesus Christ, not on how many stickers we have on our Sunday School sheet.

Nicole Hoffman, age 15

Usually Okay—This is one of the few sit-coms on TV that you can actually sit down and watch without having to change the channel every minute. I really enjoy watching this show, but like every show it has its pros and cons. Some topics that they deal with aren't always great and they could leave out bedroom scenes. I would recommend this show to anyone who wants to watch a family comedy.

Erin, age 13