Everybody Loves Raymond Review

Everybody Loves Raymond may not be new anymore, but they still show enough reruns to keep me laughing!  Everybody Loves Raymond is about... Raymond.  He's got a wife, 3 kids, and a brother, but the real story surrounds the parents, particularly the mother.  Marie is the best Mother In Law ever!  Of course, that means she's funny, but I wouldn't want her as my MIL :)  Marie thinks she is always keeping the family together by making her "suggestions" and coming over to clean Raymond's house and making little comments to "help" his wife. 

It doesn't help that Raymond is quite a momma's boy.  He doesn't want to ever go against his Mommy, no matter what she says to his wife.  Then there is Frank, the father.  He is rude, crude, and makes fun of Marie and everyone else at every turn.  It's a wonder that they are even together sometimes!  Finally, the brother, Robert, is always jealous of Raymond because Raymond was always the obvious favorite.  Other characters come in such as various dates for Robert, then there's Debra's parents who are funny in a whole different way then Marie and Frank.  Overall, the stories focus a lot on Debra and Marie.  One day they are getting along, one day Marie is pushing her over the edge with her "helpful tips" which sound more link zingers.

I've had people tell me Marie reminds them of their Mother In Law... except times 10.  Luckily my Mother in Law is nice and friendly, nothing like Marie!  But I know people who say their MIL is so much like Marie and when they tell stories I just have to laugh because it seems so much like the show.  You may think there aren't really families out there like this show, but I believe there are families just like it.  Imagine your MIL living across the street from you and coming over whenever she pleases just to insult you.  The funny thing about Marie is how she insults.  She doesn't come out and say "the house is messy" but instead says other "helpful" hints and comments, always with a smile on her face.  She really thinks she is being helpful and doesn't realize how rude she can be.  Debra is great as the wife who is just trying to stay one step ahead of Marie.  However, none of this would be funny if it weren't for Raymond!  He's so clueless sometimes to the things his mother does or the things going on with his wife... but maybe that's normal for a guy :) 

They couldn't have picked a better cast for this show!

• Ray Romano - Raymond
• Doris Roberts - Marie
• Patricia Heaton - Debra
• Brad Garrett - Robert (the brother)
• Peter Boyle - Frank

Robert and Raymond seem like real brothers and they even kind of look alike, except the fact that Robert is huge.  Brad Garrett is great at playing the jealous older brother and never cracks a smile even when he's acting so silly and depressed. 

Overall, this is a great show for married and single alike!  Many married people can probably relate to this situation somewhat, even if you MIL is not a nut like Marie.  Watch the reruns at any time on any channel and as you get to know the characters you will get into the show!  At first it seems like just a comedy, but as the show goes on there is more drama and storylines involved making you want to watch just to see what happens.  Will Robert ever find a girl to marry?  Will Marie and Frank ever move away?  Will Debra ever stand up to Marie?  And will Marie and Frank even stay together??  There is comedy and drama in the entire show making it more than just a joke.  A lot of these storylines may seem outrageous, but if you really think about it, many of them could really happen or may have really happened to you in some way.  Check out Everybody Loves Raymond on many channels multiple times per day.  Enjoy!!