Three decades after its premiere, Everybody Loves Raymond remains a cultural touchstone – and this November, the cast and crew will reunite for a highly anticipated 30th anniversary special that promises both laughter and nostalgia. 
Although the actual debut of the show was in September 1996, CBS has chosen November 24 for the 90-minute celebration, ensuring that fans have a chance to relive the magic of one of television’s most beloved sitcoms.
The special will be fronted by Ray Romano himself alongside creator Phil Rosenthal, the two men whose collaboration defined the series’ voice and charm. They will be joined by Patricia Heaton, Brad Garrett, Monica Horan, and siblings Madylin and Sullivan Sweeten, all of whom portrayed the Barone family’s inner circle. Expect candid behind-the-scenes stories, reflections on nine seasons of comedy, never-before-seen footage, and bloopers that will remind fans just how naturally funny the cast was even when the cameras weren’t rolling.
The event also takes a moment to look back with heart. A central part of the reunion will be a tribute to Peter Boyle and Doris Roberts, who brought Frank and Marie Barone to life as Ray’s endlessly bickering but unforgettable parents. Boyle, who passed away in 2006, and Roberts, who died in 2016, embodied characters that many fans considered the backbone of the show’s humor. Their absence is deeply felt, and their legacy will be honored through memories shared by the cast as well as never-aired clips that showcase their comedic genius. While CBS’s announcement didn’t explicitly mention Sawyer Sweeten, the young actor who tragically died in 2015, fans online have already voiced hopes that his memory will also be acknowledged during the special.
During its original run from 1996 to 2005, Everybody Loves Raymond captured American family life in a way few shows had managed. Its nine seasons collected 15 Emmy awards, including two for Outstanding Comedy Series, cementing its place as one of television’s golden-age sitcoms. Viewers connected not only to Romano’s dry humor but also to the relatable quarrels, rivalries, and reconciliations that defined the Barone household. Even today, reruns continue to pull strong audiences on morning and late-night television slots, underscoring the timeless appeal of its humor and its sharp writing.
One question on fans’ minds is whether this reunion could pave the way for a reboot. Romano has been clear on that front: it won’t happen. Speaking earlier this year, he explained that without Boyle, Roberts, and other cast members who are no longer with us, the chemistry that made the series so special simply cannot be recreated. “We love the show too much to risk tarnishing what it was,” Romano noted. That honesty may disappoint those eager for new episodes, but it reinforces just how much the cast values the integrity of their shared legacy.
So, while this anniversary gathering won’t open the door to new seasons, it does offer fans a chance to celebrate a sitcom that became part of their everyday lives. On November 24, audiences can once again laugh with the Barones, cry at the memories, and remember why, thirty years later, everybody really does still love Raymond.
1 comment
30 years already??? feelin old now 😭😭