"Everybody Loves Raymond" Creator Says a Spin-off Almost Happened – ATX Festival 2016 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JamesG · 06-10-2016, 09:39 PM

"Everybody Loves Raymond" Spin-off Almost Happened, Creator Phil Rosenthal Says – ATX TV Festival
by Lauren Huff
June 10, 2016

An "Everybody Loves Raymond" spin-off was almost a reality, according to creator Phil Rosenthal who spoke at a panel at the ATX Television Festival Friday on The New American TV Family.

When asked by fellow panelist Nahnatchka Khan (Fresh Off the Boat) if a spin-off had ever been ordered, Rosenthal said, the idea first came about when Amy’s (Monica Horan, Rosenthal’s wife) family was introduced on the show.

“From that first table reading where we met them, I went from the table reading to the phone to call Les Moonves at CBS,” he said, adding, “I said, ‘I’ve got a spin-off.”

He explained, “And then after the show was over some of the writers and I thought this was an obvious idea. Very simply, the brother [Robert, played by Brad Garrett] now moves to Pennsylvania and he gets a job as the gym teacher, now living with Amy’s family under the condition that he has Chris Elliot [Peter, on the show] as his assistant.”

Rosenthal quipped, “Sounds good, right?” Despite the enthusiasm of Rosenthal and his team of writers, the spin-off never materialized because CBS would not offer more than the pilot episode.

“I said, ‘Les, we need a guarantee because all these writers are getting these deals. They can’t just chuck this money to do a pilot.’ They said, ‘We won’t give you more than that.”

Rosenthal did mention that another show at the time was given a 13 episode order. He didn’t name the show, but did mention that all of the actors were under the age of 30, whereas his spin-off would feature older actors.

The other show didn’t pan out either, as it was canceled after three episodes. The moral according to Rosenthal? “Go with old people,” he joked.

http://deadline.com/2016/06/atx-phil...ff-1201770808/

Yong Fang · 06-11-2016, 04:39 AM

Might have worked, might not have.

I would not like Fred Willard is the uptight father, and he really played against Willard's usual characterizations (friendly, slight annoying, know it all, giggly, goofy men). Amy's father and parents would a good foil against Robert's parents which made for great scenes of everybody arguing. That was the show.

I think a better set up might have been Robert moving to that town to be the town sheriff in Pennslyvania and kind of have it as a small town vs. big city guy type of Green Acres/Mayberry kind of folk.

Might as well good it did not work out. His next show Til Death was awful, but now Brad Garrett is popping up everywhere as a character actor and I think this is where he shines. He hasn't been typecast as Robert Barone.

Samme · 06-11-2016, 05:27 AM

Rosenthal has been given very little respect from the networks after ELR. It's like all those years meant almost nothing. Other than the network possibly first lining up a star, the producer is really the main guy in TV. He pulls everything else together and oversees everything.
Even if Rosenthal later failed, he should have been allowed to do what he wanted to do until he failed. He was the brains behind a very popular, well done show and obviously a very talented guy.

JO Sweet Heart · 06-26-2016, 05:51 PM

I can't stand Amy's brother.

God bless you always!!!

Holly

SledgeBarone · 04-01-2020, 08:27 PM

Obviously CBS didn't want the spinoff with Robert, Amy, and the McDougalls - they had three years to consider it, and wouldn't offer more than a pilot episode. I can't blame them for rejecting that particular concept. Amy by herself is okay, but I didn't find any of her family likable except maybe Pat, but Pat was such a weak character. Considering ELR ended because the writers were out of stories, I don't know how they'd be able to come up with anything fresh for another family-based comedy. Maybe a better situation would be if they kept Robert and Amy in New York and concentrated on some of the other recurring characters, like Gianni, Andy, or Gerard.

I feel sorry for Phil Rosenthal, though. It's unbelievable after ELR's big success that he hasn't been able to even get another sitcom on the air.

06-10-2016, 09:39 PM	#1
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,136	"Everybody Loves Raymond" Creator Says a Spin-off Almost Happened – ATX Festival 2016 *"Everybody Loves Raymond" Spin-off Almost Happened, Creator Phil Rosenthal Says – ATX TV Festival* by Lauren Huff June 10, 2016 An "Everybody Loves Raymond" spin-off was almost a reality, according to creator Phil Rosenthal who spoke at a panel at the ATX Television Festival Friday on The New American TV Family. When asked by fellow panelist Nahnatchka Khan (Fresh Off the Boat) if a spin-off had ever been ordered, Rosenthal said, the idea first came about when Amy’s (Monica Horan, Rosenthal’s wife) family was introduced on the show. “From that first table reading where we met them, I went from the table reading to the phone to call Les Moonves at CBS,” he said, adding, “I said, ‘I’ve got a spin-off.” He explained, “And then after the show was over some of the writers and I thought this was an obvious idea. Very simply, the brother [Robert, played by Brad Garrett] now moves to Pennsylvania and he gets a job as the gym teacher, now living with Amy’s family under the condition that he has Chris Elliot [Peter, on the show] as his assistant.” Rosenthal quipped, “Sounds good, right?” Despite the enthusiasm of Rosenthal and his team of writers, the spin-off never materialized because CBS would not offer more than the pilot episode. “I said, ‘Les, we need a guarantee because all these writers are getting these deals. They can’t just chuck this money to do a pilot.’ They said, ‘We won’t give you more than that.” Rosenthal did mention that another show at the time was given a 13 episode order. He didn’t name the show, but did mention that all of the actors were under the age of 30, whereas his spin-off would feature older actors. The other show didn’t pan out either, as it was canceled after three episodes. The moral according to Rosenthal? “Go with old people,” he joked. http://deadline.com/2016/06/atx-phil...ff-1201770808/

06-11-2016, 05:27 AM	#3
Samme Member Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 01, 2001 Posts: 679	Rosenthal has been given very little respect from the networks after ELR. It's like all those years meant almost nothing. Other than the network possibly first lining up a star, the producer is really the main guy in TV. He pulls everything else together and oversees everything. Even if Rosenthal later failed, he should have been allowed to do what he wanted to do until he failed. He was the brains behind a very popular, well done show and obviously a very talented guy.
	Last edited by Samme; 06-11-2016 at 08:09 AM.

06-26-2016, 05:51 PM	#4
JO Sweet Heart Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Mar 11, 2012 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 7,880	I can't stand Amy's brother. God bless you always!!! Holly
	__________________ Go here to check out my most favorite singer, James Otto, when you can!

06-11-2016, 04:39 AM	#2
Yong Fang Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 04, 2009 Location: Memphis Tennessee Posts: 3,073	Might have worked, might not have. I would not like Fred Willard is the uptight father, and he really played against Willard's usual characterizations (friendly, slight annoying, know it all, giggly, goofy men). Amy's father and parents would a good foil against Robert's parents which made for great scenes of everybody arguing. That was the show. I think a better set up might have been Robert moving to that town to be the town sheriff in Pennslyvania and kind of have it as a small town vs. big city guy type of Green Acres/Mayberry kind of folk. Might as well good it did not work out. His next show Til Death was awful, but now Brad Garrett is popping up everywhere as a character actor and I think this is where he shines. He hasn't been typecast as Robert Barone.

04-01-2020, 08:27 PM	#5
SledgeBarone Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 01, 2020 Posts: 1,930	Obviously CBS didn't want the spinoff with Robert, Amy, and the McDougalls - they had three years to consider it, and wouldn't offer more than a pilot episode. I can't blame them for rejecting that particular concept. Amy by herself is okay, but I didn't find any of her family likable except maybe Pat, but Pat was such a weak character. Considering ELR ended because the writers were out of stories, I don't know how they'd be able to come up with anything fresh for another family-based comedy. Maybe a better situation would be if they kept Robert and Amy in New York and concentrated on some of the other recurring characters, like Gianni, Andy, or Gerard. I feel sorry for Phil Rosenthal, though. It's unbelievable after ELR's big success that he hasn't been able to even get another sitcom on the air.