On Monday, November 24, 2025, at 8:00 PM Eastern Time, CBS will broadcast the long-awaited 'Everybody Loves Raymond: 30th Anniversary Reunion', bringing back the entire core cast of the Emmy-winning sitcom for the first time in nearly two decades. The 66-minute special, produced by Fulwell Entertainment, will be hosted by series creator Phil Rosenthal and star Ray Romano, alongside Brad Garrett, Patricia Heaton, Monica Horan, and siblings Madylin Sweeten and Sullivan Sweeten, who played the Barone children. It’s not just a nostalgia trip—it’s a cultural reset for a show that still feels like Sunday night dinner at your aunt’s house.
Why This Reunion Matters Now
It’s been 19 years since Everybody Loves Raymond signed off in May 2005, yet it never really left. Syndication kept it alive in reruns, and streaming platforms made it a gateway show for Gen Z viewers who never saw it during its original run. The show’s genius was in its simplicity: no aliens, no courtroom drama, no magical realism. Just a guy named Ray, his overbearing parents, his long-suffering wife, and a brother who still lives at home. It was relatable in a way few sitcoms have been since. The reunion isn’t just about celebrating a milestone—it’s about proving that authentic, character-driven humor still has power.
The Set, the Stories, and the Silent Seats
Filmed in a meticulously reimagined version of the Barone living room—the same sofa, the same coffee table, the same cluttered shelves—the reunion leans into the show’s tactile charm. Cast members will sift through rare outtakes, behind-the-scenes photos, and audition tapes from 1996. Patricia Heaton recalled in promotional clips, “I can still hear Doris Roberts laughing between takes. That laugh? It was contagious.” And then there are the empty chairs.
The special makes space for the late Peter Boyle, who played Frank Barone, and Doris Roberts, whose Marie was equal parts terrifying and tender. Archival footage from 2014 shows Roberts quipping, “Well, we’re so great looking…”—a line that drew laughter then, and tears now. The cast didn’t just work together; they became family. Ray Romano said during filming, “Holy moly. 30 years. Huh? Can you believe it?” That disbelief? It’s shared by millions.
A Legacy Built on Real Family Dynamics
Phil Rosenthal didn’t invent the Barones—he mined his own. The show’s humor came from the uncomfortable truths of Italian-American family life: the guilt trips, the unsolicited advice, the way your mother knew your business before you did. That authenticity is why it won 15 Emmys and became the highest-rated comedy on television during its final season. Unlike other sitcoms of the era, it didn’t need a laugh track to feel real—it just was.
Even the casting was serendipitous. Brad Garrett, then a stand-up comic with no TV experience, auditioned for the role of Robert and walked in wearing sweatpants. He was cast on the spot. Monica Horan, who joined in season two as Amy, was initially hired for just one episode. She stayed for the rest of the series. The Sweeten kids? They were real-life siblings cast as Ray and Debra’s twins, and their chemistry was so natural, producers stopped scripting their interactions.
What’s Next for the Barones?
Don’t expect a reboot. Rosenthal has been clear: “Raymond is a time capsule. You don’t reopen a wound to make it look better.” But this reunion? It’s a love letter. And it’s coming at the perfect time. As streaming algorithms push endless new content, audiences are craving the comfort of familiar faces. CBS is betting that the Barones still feel like home.
Immediately after the broadcast, the special will be available for streaming on Paramount+, with the network labeling it “Season 2025, Episode 1”—a playful nod to its enduring legacy. EXTRATV, which first visited the set in 2000, is releasing a companion documentary with never-before-seen footage from the original production days. It’s a rare moment when nostalgia isn’t just marketing—it’s meaningful.
How It All Began
Everybody Loves Raymond premiered on September 13, 1996, to modest ratings. Critics called it “a little too domestic.” But by season three, it was topping the charts. Its success helped define CBS’s mid-2000s identity as the network that understood family—not as a sitcom trope, but as a lived reality. The show’s final episode drew over 26 million viewers, making it the most-watched comedy of the 2004–05 season.
Even today, YouTube clips of Marie Barone scolding Ray or Frank yelling “I’m not a doctor!” rack up millions of views. TikTok trends feature teens lip-syncing to Marie’s one-liners. The show’s influence echoes in modern hits like Abbott Elementary and The Bear—both of which use quiet, character-based humor to explore emotional truths.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who will be appearing in the reunion special?
The full original cast is returning: Ray Romano, Patricia Heaton, Brad Garrett, Monica Horan, and siblings Madylin and Sullivan Sweeten. Series creator Phil Rosenthal will host. While Peter Boyle and Doris Roberts won’t be physically present, their legacy is honored through archival footage and heartfelt reflections from the cast, including never-before-shared memories from the set.
Why is this reunion happening now, 19 years after the show ended?
CBS sees a cultural moment: streaming data shows Everybody Loves Raymond is one of the top-performing classic sitcoms on Paramount+, especially among viewers under 30. The 30-year anniversary is a rare, milestone moment to reintroduce the show to new audiences while giving longtime fans a proper celebration. The timing also aligns with a broader trend of audiences seeking comfort in familiar, low-stakes comedy.
Will there be any new episodes or a reboot after this?
No. Phil Rosenthal has repeatedly stated that Everybody Loves Raymond is a finished story. He believes the show’s power lies in its closure and authenticity. This reunion is strictly a retrospective, not a prelude to new content. The creators feel the characters’ journeys are complete—and that’s part of why fans still cherish them.
How does this reunion compare to other sitcom anniversaries?
Unlike the Friends reunion, which featured elaborate sets and celebrity cameos, this special is intentionally intimate. It’s filmed in a recreated living room with no audience, just the cast and crew reminiscing. The tone is quieter, more reflective—closer to a family gathering than a TV event. That restraint is what makes it feel genuine, not manufactured.
Where can I watch the reunion if I miss the broadcast?
The special will stream immediately after its CBS broadcast on November 24, 2025, on Paramount+. It will also be available on the CBS app and website. A companion documentary from EXTRATV, featuring 2000-era behind-the-scenes footage, will be released separately on YouTube and Paramount+ the following week.
Why did Doris Roberts and Peter Boyle’s performances resonate so deeply?
Roberts and Boyle didn’t play caricatures—they played real people with flaws, love, and exhaustion. Marie wasn’t just a nag; she was a woman who expressed love through control. Frank wasn’t just lazy; he was a man who’d spent his life feeling unseen. Their chemistry was so natural, cast members say they often forgot they were acting. That emotional truth is why their absence is felt so deeply—even three decades later.