I Watched Everybody Loves Raymond’s 30th Anniversary Reunion Special, And I’m So Glad The Original 9 Seasons Are Streaming For A Rewatch

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Warning: spoilers are ahead for the Everybody Loves Raymond: 30th Anniversary Reunion on CBS.

I grew up watching Everybody Loves Raymond – it was one of my favorite shows back in the late ’90s and early 2000s! I was so excited to hear that the whole cast was getting back together for a reunion special. Apparently, the creator, Phil Rosenthal, had been trying to make this happen for years, and everything finally lined up around the show’s 30th anniversary – or 29th, if you want to be precise. Honestly, I hadn’t seen an episode in ages, but I was hoping the special would be a fun, nostalgic trip down memory lane.

I quickly rediscovered my love for the show and immediately searched online to see if I could watch all nine seasons from the very first episode.

The Everybody Loves Raymond 30th Anniversary Special

The special, hosted by Phil Rosenthal and Ray Romano, featured cast members like Patty Heaton, Brad Garrett, and Madylin Sweeten. Watching it brought back a lot of childhood memories of watching the show with my family – I remembered things like the Fruit of the Month club, Ray and Debra’s arguments, and even Marie’s questionable artwork. It made me realize how much time has passed, because I finally understood all the jokes about that sculpture!

I really enjoyed learning about Patricia Heaton’s audition – she landed the role of Debra by being the only actress who kissed Ray Romano! It was also surprising to hear how David Letterman helped launch Ray Romano’s comedy career. I never realized how much Romano and Phil Rosenthal’s own families influenced the Barone family and storylines on the show.

It was a wonderful surprise to see Brad Garrett recreate his famous dance as Robert. Seeing Madylin and Sullivan Sweeten, who played Ally and Michael, all grown up made me feel old, but it was fun to see they still looked like their characters after all these years. The most touching part, though, was the tribute to Peter Boyle, Doris Roberts, and Sawyer Sweeten, who we’ve sadly lost.

I anticipated seeing acknowledgements of Phil Boyle and Steve Roberts, given their significant contributions to the success of Everybody Loves Raymond. However, I was surprised and moved that the special also featured Madylin and Sullivan Sweeten discussing the tragic loss of their brother, Sawyer. Madylin shared that their family is deeply committed to suicide prevention, and they actively support the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Each year, they create and sell t-shirts in Sawyer’s memory, donating all the profits to the Lifeline.

TV shows often say their cast members are like family, but with Everybody Loves Raymond, it genuinely felt that way. Whether you watched it on CBS or are just remembering it now, it’s easy to be transported back to those times.

How To Watch The Original Series (And The Special)

Given that the show originally aired on CBS and its reunion special was also on the network, it makes sense that Everybody Loves Raymond is now streaming on Paramount+. Unlike other former CBS hits like FBI: International, FBI: Most Wanted, The Big Bang Theory, and Young Sheldon – which ended up on other platforms after their final seasons – all nine seasons of Everybody Loves Raymond are available to stream with a Paramount+ subscription. (You can find the FBI shows on Peacock, and The Big Bang Theory and Young Sheldon on HBO Max.)

As a big movie and TV fan, I’ve been checking out Paramount+, and honestly, the pricing is pretty good. You’ve got two main monthly options: a basic plan for $7.99 or an ad-free premium one for $12.99. But here’s the tip: if you’re planning on sticking with it, definitely go for the yearly subscription – it’s a great way to save some cash while still getting your entertainment fix!

Ray Romano recently mentioned he’s very careful about how the show is presented, and the creator, Phil Rosenthal, has already said a traditional reboot with a script isn’t planned. So, it’s no surprise the hosts confirmed it won’t happen. Still, with over 200 episodes, there’s plenty of funny content to enjoy. And if you grew up watching, you might find the humor lands differently now that you’re older.

Here’s a clip from the Everybody Loves Raymond: 30th Reunion special that made me realize it’s time to appreciate classic sitcoms again. According to Phil Rosenthal, this was the scene that ultimately landed Doris Roberts the role of Marie.

You can now stream all nine seasons of Everybody Loves Raymond on Paramount+, including a special 30th-anniversary reunion. If you enjoyed the show when it first aired, or are looking for a funny, classic sitcom, it’s definitely worth checking out, especially while you’re waiting for new shows coming in 2026.

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2025-11-25 05:39