Everybody Loves Raymond

Trivia

• The name of the show was originally an inside joke intended to be ironic, that is, implying that not everybody loves Raymond. Romano wasn't keen on the name because he felt the irony would be missed. The rumored spin-off featuring Robert and Amy's family has sometimes been referred to as Everybody Likes Robert.
• Jokes about Ray's large nose and "whiny" nasal voice, Robert's height, and Frank's baldness—all real-life traits of the actors portraying them—are often incorporated into the show's humor.
• Amy's brother was originally introduced as "Russell", owner of a comic book shop, and played by comedian Paul Reubens in a one-time appearance. When the character reappeared, his name was Peter and was played by Chris Elliott. This was a rare lapse in the show's continuity, sometimes referred to as the "Chuck Cunningham syndrome".
• A noticeable change from most family sitcoms is that the show's three children (who are real-life siblings) usually have extremely small parts, although at times each has been at the center of a particular plot line.
• Each of the major adult actors and actresses, with the exception of Boyle, have received Emmy Awards for their performances, and the series has been honored as Best Comedy. Although he never won, Boyle was nominated for the Emmy repeatedly (losing to co-star Garrett on multiple occasions).
• In Raymonds early seasons, fellow stand-up comic (and friend) Kevin James frequently appeared as one of Ray's buddies. Kevin James would later have a spin-off series, The King of Queens, and Romano and Heaton guest-starred as the Barones.
• Although Raymond is set in Lynbrook, the houses seen as those belonging to Ray and his parents in establishing shots are actually located in the town of Merrick, though they actually are across the street from each other in real life.
• Eagle-eyed viewers know that the Barone living room differs from the one seen in the show's pilot.
• A box of Flutie Flakes is visible on top of the fridge in Ray and Debra's home.
• Although on the show Robert is supposed to be four years older than Raymond, in real life, Ray Romano is three years older than Brad Garrett.
• The title sequence changed during the first five seasons:
• During the first season, Ray gives a speech about who he is, etc. while putting together a playhouse for his children. Eventually, he locks himself into the playhouse. Later in the season, Ray gives a similar speech while raking the leaves, as his family passes behind him on a conveyor belt.
• For the second season, the same speech was given, this time with Ray sitting in a lawn chair, and the family flying around past him. Ray swats his parents with a fly swatter, and Robert is the only person who walks by, and Ray remarks to him "Hey you didn't...", while flapping his arms in a flying way.
• For the third and fourth seasons, a more elaborate opening was used. Considered by many to be the best of the opening sequences, it shows Raymond and Debra attempting to hide from Frank, Marie, and Robert, who are approaching from across the street. In slow motion, we see Ray and Debra trying to stop a blasting stereo and locking the doors while the credits play over the footage. Staged to the strains of "Ode to Joy", this sequence (complete with the credits zooming into the screen) also spoofs an infamous teaser trailer for the feature film Die Hard). Sitting against the door, Ray thinks he has succeeded in hiding, but then his mother puts her hand through the mail slot and feels his hair.
• The sixth season started with the announcement "It's another season of Everyone Loves Raymond!" in a booming voice with the family playing football, resulting in Marie losing a tooth and smiling with the "hole" in her teeth.
• The seventh season featured a sequence of past clips, while playing to the Steve Miller tune, Jungle Love. The assortment of clips are mostly of Ray and his family dancing.
• The eighth and ninth seasons did not include any special features. The opening credits simply flashed over the first extended scene.
• Ray Barone's brother Robert is a police officer for the NYPD. In real life, Ray Romano does have a brother who is a police officer for the NYPD.
• Monica Horan, who plays Amy on the show, is married to Philip Rosenthal, the show's executive producer and co-creator.