Everybody Loves Raymond; literally.

For many years, I have listened with great intrigue to my parents talking about shows from their generation that were unforgettable: I Love Lucy, M.A.S.H., The Honeymooners, etc, etc, etc. They recalled specific episodes, specific scenes, specific lines as clearly as the day they watched them. I always wondered what memorable TV creations I would be able to pass on to my children; what shows would capture my attention not only for their entertainment value, but for their brilliantly creative writing, casting, and acting? At least for now, I will have one show to pass on: Everybody Loves Raymond. There are innumerable reasons to love this show, but the most important reasons may not be apparently obvious to the naked eye, but only to the inquisitive and inquiring mind. For starters, the show was centered around the typical life of an American family. Certainly, it was exaggerated in many instances, but the basic foundation, the basic premise of the entire series, was one that the American population could easily relate to. The simple yet comedic story lines of everyday life is what fascinates the audience, for the simple fact that they can empathize with the characters and their fallacies and daily problems. It was a series without a purpose, without a direction. It was this enigmatic plot-line that made ELR so popular nationwide. The show also maintained its integrity throughout its entire 9 seasons. Sure, there were many plots, sub-plots, protaganists, antagonists, and awkward relationships among the characters, but the show never lost sight of its true mission: nothing. While relationships developed and story-lines deepened, it never was unrooted from its original intention; to make the American audience say "Yea, that's my family." The laughs never ceased. They just altered. ELR also did something that no other sitcom seemed capable of: modest sensitivity and low-key life lessons. While Frank seemed to be at his worst, he occassionally showed some emotion, which made him just slightly less despicable. For all of Ray's constant neglect and disregard towards his brother, he did express his true love for his sibling, no matter how awkwardly. The same can be said for his relationship with his wife, Debra. The same can also be said for Frank's relationship with his wife, Marie, and his 2 sons. The show also modestly was able to display small life-lessons along the way; the most important, over the 9 seasons, being that no matter the adversity or the words or actions taken, the family was still one; would always be one. Finally, and most certainly not least, the show dissolved at the right time: its peak. The writers, along with Ray Romano(who played the main character Ray Barone) painfully admitted that the writers were running short on ideas for the show and wanted to end with integrity; to drag the show on would do the audience an injustice and the writers and actors a disservice. The foresight to quit while you are ahead is a tough decision to make; with greed usually overtaking rationality in the end. For this show, however, and these writers and actors, the decision was clear. Needless to say, they made the right one. "Everybody Loves Raymond was a show that kept you laughing from beginning to end. It was brilliantly written, and just as equally well performed by the actors. There was never a dull moment. It captured your attention and fulfilled you comedically and emotionally. It was sensitive yet hysterical; witty yet honest; original yet creative. It was, truthfully, a masterpiece of comedy that you must see for yourself" Yeah, that's probably how I'll explain it to my kids. Thank you ELR.