Everybody Loves Raymond

TV review by Betsy Wallace, Common Sense Media
Everybody Loves Raymond Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 13+

Show finds humor in family conflict; teens and up.

CBS, Syndicated Comedy 1996
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Parents say

age 12+

Based on 17 reviews

Kids say

age 10+

Based on 51 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this series focuses on adult relationships that are marked by conflict. The intimacy issues of married couples -- including (in)frequency of sex -- often take center stage, so parents watching with kids should gauge young viewers' readiness for the mature subject matter. Characters are affectionate but also frequently fight and express resentment.

Community Reviews

JoshuaD66
JoshuaD66 Adult
August 16, 2020
age 9+

This title has:

Great role models
Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
1 person found this helpful.
Bill the thrill
Bill the thrill Adult
October 1, 2018
age 18+

Awful

Awful, boring show with a lot of cheesy sexual innuendos. I wouldn't let kids watch this, but honestly I wouldn't even worry about a kid wanting to watch this, because there is nothing worth seeing, and kids probably wouldn't care to watch a bunch of old people complain and fight all the time.

This title has:

Too much sex
Too much swearing
See all 17 parent reviews

What's the Story?

EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND is touted as a family sitcom; in this case, "family" refers to grown-up characters (and viewers). Stand-up comedian Ray Romano stars as sportswriter Ray Barone, and Patricia Heaton plays his wife, Debra. Their three kid serve primarily as scenery, barely reacting to the constant bickering and crises that surround them. Central to the comedy are Ray's opinionated and intrusive parents -- Frank (Peter Boyle) and Marie (Doris Roberts) -- and his brother, Robert (Brad Garrett), who all live just across the street. The extended family throw insults around as if they can't stand each other, but viewers seem to identify with the Barones, a family that fights as passionately as it loves.

Is It Any Good?

Episodes often insightfully focus on Ray's perceived shortcomings and missteps as a husband and father. But the series also uses stereotypes as a jumping-off point: self-involved career man who doesn't get enough action in the bedroom, frustrated housewife who doesn't get enough help with the cooking and cleaning, meddling mother-in-law who doesn't get enough respect. That said, the cast is stellar and plotlines shed light on universal human insecurities, such as doubting that your spouse still finds you attractive as you grow older.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about arguing. When does it help -- and when doesn't it?

  • When you do fight with a family member, how does it make you feel? How do you patch things up? Can people be angry with each other and love each other at the same time?

TV Details

Our Editors Recommend

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