Update: CBS Sets Part 2 of Everybody Loves Raymond 30th Anniv. Special for Dec. 22nd

[JamesG]

"Everybody Loves Raymond" 30th Anniversary Special Planned for CBS
by Lynette Rice
October 1, 2025


CBS will pay tribute to the 30th anniversary of "Everybody Loves Raymond" with a 90-minute special on Nov. 24.

Ray Romano and series creator Phil Rosenthal will revisit the comedy that premiered on Sept. 13, 1996 and aired for nine seasons on CBS.



Interviews with castmates Brad Garrett, Patricia Heaton, Monica Horan, Madylin Sweeten and Sullivan Sweeten are planned, as well as never-before-seen outtakes.

The special will also honor Doris Roberts and Peter Boyle, whose portrayals of Marie and Frank Barone made them fan favorites. Boyle died in 2006 and Roberts in 2016.

https://deadline.com/2025/10/everybo...bs-1236567127/

[JO Sweet Heart]

^^^ Actually, the show will hit the big 3-0 next year, but I don't blame the powers that be for doing the special now. My only question is will the absence of Sawyer Sweetin be given the proper acknowledgement as well as the absences of the actor and actresses who gave us Debra's parents and Amy's parents?

God bless you and the remaining cast members always!!!

Holly

[TMC]

Why is Everybody Loves Raymond's 30th anniversary being celebrated 1 year early?

The Everybody Loves Raymond 30th anniversary is being celebrated early because of scheduling logistics and a desire to create a reunion special, not because the actual 30th anniversary is this year. The show premiered on September 13, 1996, so the 30th anniversary is not until 2026. CBS wanted to capitalize on the new CBS leadership's enthusiasm for the reunion special, with Thanksgiving week being the ideal time to air it.

[Chocolate Moose]

Did they say they didn't want to do this type of show without the parents? Or did they not want to do a reboot?

[icecream]

I don't remember Frank singing I Left My Heart in San Francisco. What episode was that from?

[TMC]

Originally Posted by JO Sweet Heart

^^^ Actually, the show will hit the big 3-0 next year, but I don't blame the powers that be for doing the special now. My only question is will the absence of Sawyer Sweetin be given the proper acknowledgement as well as the absences of the actor and actresses who gave us Debra's parents and Amy's parents?

God bless you and the remaining cast members always!!!

Holly

Everybody Loves Raymond Cast Addresses Sawyer Sweeten's Death During Emotional Reunion

During the Everybody Loves Raymond: 30th Anniversary Reunion, the cast reflects on their time on the sitcom and Sawyer Sweeten’s “bright energy.”

[TMC]

Everybody Loves Raymond Star Reveals Her "Desperate" Audition Move To Land Role

One of the stars of Everybody Loves Raymond was so desperate to join the cast of the beloved sitcom, she went to extreme lengths to secure the role.

[JO Sweet Heart]

I saw the special and it was good, but it left me with a rather interesting question. Who else in Hollywood auditioned for the roles? In other words, did certain other people audition only to become famous later on due to other projects? I remember reading that Ashley Judd auditioned to be either Heidi or Lisa from the Home Improvement show.

God bless you and Ashley always!!!

Holly

[Alan Brady's Hair]

Originally Posted by JO Sweet Heart

I saw the special and it was good, but it left me with a rather interesting question. Who else in Hollywood auditioned for the roles? In other words, did certain other people audition only to become famous later on due to other projects? I remember reading that Ashley Judd auditioned to be either Heidi or Lisa from the Home Improvement show.

God bless you and Ashley always!!!

Holly

It seems Jane Sibbett (Carol from Friends) was in line to play Debra until Patricia Heaton auditioned well.

[TMC]

The OG Cast Of Everybody Loves Raymond Is Unrecognizable Now

A lot has happened to the stars since the credits rolled. The kids grew up, the adults grew older, and the cast looks almost unrecognizable today.

[JamesG]

Everybody Loves Raymond: 30th Anniversary Reunion Scores High Ratings, Gets Encore Airing
by Giana Levy, Leia Mendoza
Nov. 26, 2025


Everybody Loves Raymond: 30th Anniversary Reunion averaged 6.32 million viewers on Nov. 24, making it the most-watched primetime entertainment special so far this TV season.

Taking advantage of strong interest in the reunion, CBS will air an encore of the special on Nov. 28.



According to Nielsen ratings, it was the most-watched special on CBS since the 77th Emmy Awards in September (7.59 million).

The special’s live+same day ratings were higher than any primetime non-sports program this season except for “60 Minutes”, “Tracker”, “Dancing With the Stars” and “Matlock”.

https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/tv-...24-1236591277/

[stevea]

It was an excellent special--impressive rating for a legacy network.

I thought they might have taken a moment to mention ALL the actors who have passed:
Katherine Helmond, Robert Culp, Fred Willard, Charles Durning - all had recurring roles.

There were mentions of Georgia Engel, Sawyer Sweeten (who committed suicide in 2015), Doris Roberts, and Peter Boyle.

I'd never have recognized Madylin Sweeten.

[JO Sweet Heart]

^^^ Not mentioning the late lady legend who gave us Debra's mom was the big shocker for me. In my opinion, everyone from the show who is still here should've been there. Robert's police partner was shown at the beginning giving a statement, but other than her, the only other person that I saw make an appearance is the guy who gave us Andy. I saw him at the end when the big group of people came in and he looked the same, but with gray in his hair some. Where were the people who gave us the following characters?

Gianni
Peter
Bernie & Linda
Peggy
Stephania & her dad
Gerard

God bless you and the remaining cast member always!!!

Holly

P.S. I miss the guy who gave us the priest. My favorite episode of him was when Ray speaks to him about not being able to get any sleep while Debra is there with him in the bed. When he ordered Ray to open his eyes, he looked at Ray as if Ray was the stupidest person to ever walk this planet.

[stevea]

Originally Posted by JO Sweet Heart

^^^ Not mentioning the late lady legend who gave us Debra's mom was the big shocker for me. In my opinion, everyone from the show who is still here should've been there. Robert's police partner was shown at the beginning giving a statement, but other than her, the only other person that I saw make an appearance is the guy who gave us Andy. I saw him at the end when the big group of people came in and he looked the same, but with gray in his hair some. Where were the people who gave us the following characters?

Gianni
Peter
Bernie & Linda
Peggy
Stephania & her dad
Gerard

God bless you and the remaining cast member always!!!

Holly

P.S. I miss the guy who gave us the priest. My favorite episode of him was when Ray speaks to him about not being able to get any sleep while Debra is there with him in the bed. When he ordered Ray to open his eyes, he looked at Ray as if Ray was the stupidest person to ever walk this planet.

Yes they could have taken a few moments and shown some of the recurring characters, especially the ones who have passed. (The priest was played by Charles Durning.)

I forgot about Peggy, the cookie lady. She was only in a few episodes, but was a particularly memorable character (even though I forgot her!). As was Amy's brother, Peter. As was Stephania.

I viewed Lois, Debra's mother, as a really important recurring role, and Katherine Helmond was perfect for it.

The guy who played Gianni played two roles; in an early episode, he was a cable guy.

Anyway, they could/should have shown snippets of all of them.

[TMC]

Originally Posted by TMC

Everybody Loves Raymond Star Reveals Her "Desperate" Audition Move To Land Role

One of the stars of Everybody Loves Raymond was so desperate to join the cast of the beloved sitcom, she went to extreme lengths to secure the role.

200 women had auditioned for the role of Debra Barone. Here's how Patricia Heaton instantly won the role

“I was going through what the Barone family was going through,” said Heaton.