NOT EVERYBODY LOVES HIM (Everybody Loves Raymond)

Member Name: Wee_Jackie_163

Product:	Everybody Loves Raymond
Date:	25/04/09 (156 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: LIGHT-HEARTED VIEWING

Disadvantages: THERE ARE BETTER COMEDIES

"Everybody Loves Raymond" is an American sit-com that is currently showing on Channel 4, every morning, at 7.30. At the time of writing this review, Channel 4 are, in fact, showing two episodes back to back, which is obviously good news if you are a fan of the show.

The show features around a small family who live in Long Island. The family consists of the main character, Ray Barone, his wife Deborah, and their three young children; their daughter Allie, and twin sons, Michael and Jeffrey. The main themes in the show are usually to do with family life, and the ups and downs that that brings!

Ray Barone is played by American stand-up comedian Ray Romano.

Ray and his family live (rather unfortunately for him) right across the street from his Mother. Her name is Marie. Marie lives with her husband, Frank (Ray's father), and their son, Robert (although in a later series Robert takes the plunge and moves out).

The fact that his mum and dad live so close by is what gives this show its biggest comedy element - the goings on between his wife and his mother are usually the bain of Ray's existence! Let's just say they don't always see eye to eye...!

Ray is very much the apple of his mother's eye, and this is plain to see for both the characters and the viewers. It is also where the name of the show probably comes from. He can seldom do any wrong in his mother's view, and this causes no end of frustration to Raymond's wife and brother.

I like the show in that it is very easy viewing; it is light-hearted comedy, with the odd helping of serious topic. An example of this that springs to mind would be an episode I recall where Ray's brother Robert has the rather difficult task of persuading his girlfriend's parents to consent to him asking for her hand in marriage. They didn't, if I recall correctly, think much of the idea, and he was faced with a rather difficult predicament, although as is always the case with the show, there were plenty of 'giggle opportunities' throughout the rest of the episode.

I'd by no means claim that this programme was anything other than what I've already hinted at: a light-hearted comedy sit-com which displays a rather typical all-American family way of life. It does not contain any Hollywood actors or Actresses, it does not qualify for (to my mind, at least) any awards or nominations, but it does deliver a satisfying slice of comedy and entertainment that is just entertaining enough to keep me tuning in on a regular basis. It is a very 'comfortable' programme to watch.

If you've not seen it before, I'd recommend that you give it a try, but don't expect to be holding your sides laughing, with tears running down your face. It's not in that league at all. It's very cheesy at times, and I feel the programme is only really worthy of 3 stars.

There are nine seasons of the TV show, which are all available to buy on DVD. They are available from Amazon.co.uk for around £14 each.

There is a website for the television series, which can be viewed at www.everybodylovesray.com. The website has a quiz feature, which may be of interest if you are a fan of the show, and there are plenty of other features such as downloads and games.

Summary: WORTH A WATCH