Everybody Loves Raymond

[StevieBee]

Not sure this has ever been discussed here.

I've formed the view that this is probably the most brilliantly written and acted US SitCom there's ever been. So much of it resonates.

Any other fans?

[greygoose]

It is ok, but it is no Seinfeld.

[p4cks]

The typical American sitcom pauses after an average-at-best quip to allow for the canned laughter to be piped in make them unwatchable for me.

[Piersman2]

Yes indeed. I must have seen it, in full, at least twice over as it's on constant repeat on TV. But it never tires, just very well written with each episode being a self contained story so easy to dip in and out of.

Only other series that betters it that I am aware of would be Frasier. The writing and characters of both series are simply superb but I think the writing of the situations on Frasier nudge it ahead. But the family dynamics of Everybody Loves Raymond do make it resonate!

[wastedyouth86]

Everybody Loves Raymond is good but i would agree Frasier is much much better.

[rider73]

greygoose said:

It is ok, but it is no Seinfeld.

this

[steveo3002]

i like it , the mum and dad are the best bit

[RobbieTheTruth]

Absolutely bang average, middle of the road, bland, formulated sitcom with canned laughter, featuring an annoying, unlikable wet blanket of a lead character, who is inexplicably scared of his equally annoying wife.

[steveo3002]

RobbieTheTruth said:

Absolutely bang average, middle of the road, bland, formulated sitcom with canned laughter, featuring an annoying, unlikable wet blanket of a lead character, who is inexplicably scared of his equally annoying wife.

not keen then?

[SpeckledJim]

greygoose said:

It is ok, but it is no Seinfeld.

It's ok, but it's no Frasier.

[boxedin]

It's up there with Mrs Brown's Boys.

[Lotusgone]

wastedyouth86 said:

Everybody Loves Raymond is good but i would agree Frasier is much much better.

Agreed. I'd also put ELR above Seinfeld, which I could not get at all. But at least Jerry Seinfeld is a car nut.

[gregs656]

Totally forgettable for me.

[Truckosaurus]

The only interesting character is his brother.

[cologne2792]

I don't want to offend anyone here as I appreciate that humour is subjective but I really can't stand the show.

I like Ray Romano, I just hate the contrived, back stabbing, selfish characters that populate the show.
I get that that's the schtick but just find it too annoying. I know too many people like that all ready.

Brad Garrett is the best thing about the show and makes a perfect Eeyore.

Frasier is a bit inconsitient due to the length of its run but is a superb show with many of the earlier episodes being outstanding pieces of writing, production, casting and acting.

Fawlty Towers / Father Ted / Frasier.

[21TonyK]

If you like the series you need to watch "Somebody feed Phil" on netflix. Its a travel/food programme with Philip Rosenthal the guy behind everybody loves Raymond which when you see his family in real life... well you can see where the ideas for the comedy comes from.

I watched a couple and thought he was a really irritating typical smiling American, hes not, he really is that happy!

[SpeckledJim]

21TonyK said:

If you like the series you need to watch "Somebody feed Phil" on netflix. Its a travel/food programme with Philip Rosenthal the guy behind everybody loves Raymond which when you see his family in real life... well you can see where the ideas for the comedy comes from.

I watched a couple and thought he was a really irritating typical smiling American, hes not, he really is that happy!

If I was getting to go on the trips and eat the food that Phil does, then I'd be that happy too.

He'd do my head in to be honest. I'm a grouch.

[JagLover]

cologne2792 said:

Frasier is a bit inconsitient due to the length of its run but is a superb show with many of the earlier episodes being outstanding pieces of writing, production, casting and acting.

This is worth mentioning as, with many of these long running shows, the quality depends on when we are talking about.

Frasier started out brilliantly, maintained a consistently high level for a number of seasons and then dropped away. Most date the downward slide to when Niles got together with Daphne.

[rider73]

JagLover said:

cologne2792 said:

Frasier is a bit inconsitient due to the length of its run but is a superb show with many of the earlier episodes being outstanding pieces of writing, production, casting and acting.

This is worth mentioning as, with many of these long running shows, the quality depends on when we are talking about.

Frasier started out brilliantly, maintained a consistently high level for a number of seasons and then dropped away. Most date the downward slide to when Niles got together with Daphne.

agreed - it went from a whitty tightly written show, to them doing silly things and actions with silly "british family" guest stars - it only picked up again i thought when Frasier starts to contemplate his life as he gets older , but these were glimpses of what the show used to be.

[Truckosaurus]

I always think the drop off in quality is because once a show gets successful the writers/producers get rewarded with a new show, so the original show gets new writers who might not be as good or have a different style.