Family Ties aired 7 seasons on NBC from 1982-1989. It was intended to be a starring vehicle for Meredith Baxter (the mom Elyse Keaton). But Michael J. Fox stole the show as oldest son Alex P. Keaton. Yet he was content with being third billed in the cast and did not demand to be moved up. Michael Gross played Elyse's husband Steven Keaton. They have the exact same birthday irl. Justine Bateman and Tina Yothers played the daughters Mallory and Jennifer. Marc Price recurred as next door neighbor Skippy Handleman, who had unrequited feelings for Mallory. Because of Meredith Baxter's real pregnancy, 4th child Andrew was born in season 3. An aged Andrew was played by Brian Bonsall starting in season 5. Season 4 was the best, it had Alex's girlfriend Ellen Reed played by Tracy Pollan. She was too busy to continue with the show in season 5 but did marry Michael irl. Alex's 2nd serious girlfriend Lauren Miller was played by Courteney Cox in seasons 6 and 7. Scott Valentine recurred as Mallory's dumb boyfriend Nick Moore.
How it got this far
1st Round: defeated Grace Under Fire 7-2
2nd Round: defeated Seinfeld 10-6

Everybody Loves Raymond aired 9 seasons on CBS from 1996-2005. It started out on lowly Friday nights, then eventually became the hit anchor of Monday nights. Whiny Ray Romano starred as Ray Barone, a sportswriter who moved his family across the street from his parents. A great supporting cast starred Doris Roberts as his meddling mother Marie, Peter Boyle as his crude father Frank, hulk sized Brad Garrett as his cop brother Robert, and Patricia Heaton as his wife Debra who was always butting heads with Marie. Monica Horan later joined the cast as Robert's girlfriend then wife Amy MacDougall. Ray and Debra had three kids that were basically window dressing, all the action centered on the adults.
How it got this far
1st Round: defeated The Beverly Hillbillies 6-5
2nd Round: defeated Benson 11-6

Family Ties defeats Everybody Loves Raymond 4-1 and will advance to the top 10 quarterfinals.