Everybody Loves Raymond Reunion Special to Air on CBS This Thanksgiving

LOS ANGELES, CA — CBS will air the long-awaited reunion special of the beloved comedy series Everybody Loves Raymond on Nov. 24. This 90-minute show, titled Everybody Loves Raymond: 30th Anniversary Reunion, comes nearly three decades after the show first premiered in 1996.

Phil Rosenthal, the show’s creator, revealed that he had been trying to organize a reunion for over ten years but faced challenges in finding a network willing to support it. He explained, “I wanted to see my friends and celebrate our nice show.” The reunion will bring together surviving cast members, including Ray Romano and Patricia Heaton, among others.

Reflecting on the concept of reboots, Rosenthal and Romano expressed strong opposition. Rosenthal stated, “Many shows do reboots, and we’ve never wanted to do that. We felt like we couldn’t honestly do one since some of the cast isn’t with us anymore.” Romano echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that even with all cast members present, a reboot would not live up to the original’s legacy.

The emotional reunion not only allows the cast to reminisce but also pays tribute to the late stars of the show, including Doris Roberts and Peter Boyle. Romano shared, “But doing a reunion is something that we want to do, because we get a chance to see each other and honor those actors.”

In discussing the timing of the special, Romano noted that it coincides with recent fan interest following a Paley Center exhibit that celebrated the show’s history. The network initially scheduled the reunion for the Thanksgiving week, creating an opportunity for fan engagement and nostalgia.

While a reboot is off the table, Rosenthal has expressed interest in a potential spinoff, although he faced rejection from CBS in the past. “We thought we could use some of the characters and send them into a different world, in a different setting, but CBS didn’t want it,” he said.

Romano has shifted his focus to other genres since the series finale in 2005, stating, “I really wouldn’t want to do a sitcom again, but I’m open to the right single-camera show.” He emphasized the unique vibe of a live audience during tapings of Raymond as something he deeply misses.

The 30th Anniversary Reunion special will feature the original cast members, along with special appearances from former guests, and is expected to attract a large audience due to the series’ lasting popularity.

“I’m fine if people want to see [another reunion],” Rosenthal said. “We love being together.” Fans can catch the reunion airing Nov. 24 from 8 to 9:30 p.m. on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.