Parents' Guide to

Everybody Loves Raymond

TV CBS , Syndicated Comedy 1996
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Common Sense Media Review

By Betsy Wallace , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 13+

Show finds humor in family conflict; teens and up.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 13+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

age 12+

Based on 12 parent reviews

age 10+

Based on 40 kid 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?

Our review:
Parents say (12 ):
Kids say (40 ):

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

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by

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