On Monday night, the beloved cast of Everybody Loves Raymond came together for a heartwarming reunion special on CBS. Time has certainly passed—Madylin and Sullivan Sweeten, who played two of Ray and Debra’s kids, are now in their 30s. But the connection among the cast felt just like old times.
Set in a replica of the Barone family living room, series creator Phil Rosenthal and lead actor Ray Romano shared laughs with co-stars Patricia Heaton, Brad Garrett, Monica Horan, and the Sweeten siblings. They paid tribute to their late cast members, Peter Boyle, Doris Roberts, and Sawyer Sweeten, while reflecting on their time together during the show’s nine-season run.
A Global Impact: The show’s reach has been impressive. It’s been aired in syndication worldwide and even inspired local versions, such as a Russian remake highlighted in Rosenthal’s documentary, Exporting Raymond. A Filipino fan in the audience shared how watching the show helped her learn English, prompting Rosenthal to quip, “So were your first English words ‘Ohhh noooo!’?”
No Reboots in Sight: Early in the special, Romano made it clear that this reunion is not a reboot. He emphasized the loss of their three cast members, saying, “We’d never try to do the show without them.” Rosenthal echoed his sentiment, stating that they hold too much respect for the show and its devoted audience. Thankfully, the series continues to air daily around the globe.
The Beginnings: Romano reminisced about how he and Rosenthal first met. Rosenthal was inspired after watching Romano’s stand-up on The Late Show with David Letterman. Shortly after, they connected over lunch. Despite initial nerves, they found common ground in their family stories, helping to shape the sitcom that mirrored their lives. As Rosenthal noted, “Ninety percent of everything you saw on the show happened to me, or to Ray, or to one of the other writers.”
Family Impressions: Romano shared a delightful moment when his kids showcased their impressions of him—one of the highlights of the reunion. They brought humor that felt right at home.
Memorable Episodes: Each cast member shared their favorite moments from the show. Romano highlighted the episode “Talk to Your Daughter,” where he faces tough existential questions from his daughter. Heaton favored the hilarious “Baggage,” where Ray and Debra have a standoff over a suitcase. Garrett picked “Lucky Suit,” which leads to a comical disaster during Robert’s job interview. Horan’s favorite was “Pat’s Secret,” revealing a funny family confession. Madylin Sweeten loved “Marie’s Sculpture,” while Sullivan Sweeten held a soft spot for the series finale, capturing the family’s final moments together.
This reunion served as a warm reminder of why Everybody Loves Raymond remains a cherished classic. Beyond its humor, it reflects the realities and quirks of family life that many can relate to.
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Brad Garrett,Everybody Loves Raymond,Patricia Heaton,Phil Rosenthal,Ray Romano

















