The proposal for an Everybody Loves Raymond spin-off was axed because the cast is too old.
Phil Rosenthal, 66, creator of Everybody Loves Raymond, has spoken up about why he was not given the green light for a spin-off of the popular American sitcom.
On an episode of Dinner’s on Me with Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Rosenthal discussed hopes of a show that would’ve followed two new beloved protagonists; Brad Garrett‘s Robert and Monica Horan’s Amy.
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Phil Rosanthal said his Everybody Loves Raymond spin-off staring Brad Garrett was axed.
The proposed spin-off also would’ve also included both of Amy’s parents, played by Fred Willard and Georgia Engel, and her brother played by Chris Elliott.
Horan, who is Rosenthal’s real-life wife, loved playing the character of Amy MacDougal and her family were already “established on the show after featuring in 30 episodes.
The show had a great nine year run from 1996 to 2005, spanning nine seasons and 210 episodes.
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The network told Rosanthal that the cast is too old because everyone is “over 40.” (Sonja Flemming/CBS)
However, Rosenthal said the network wouldn’t give him “more than a pilot” for the spin-off because “everyone was over 40.”
“They said the business changed during the nine years of Raymond,” he added.
The CBS sitcom centred on Italian-American Ray Barone, a successful Long Island sportswriter for Newsday Living.
He juggled his marriage to wife Debra (Patricia Heaton), with his nosy parents, Frank and Marie, and jealous older brother, Robert, who lived across the street.
Rosenthal agreed with Ramono saying “It wouldn’t be the same” to make a reboot of the show. (CBS)
The show’s star Romano, 68, previously shared strong thoughts on the idea of a reboot.
“We’re never gonna do one, because we’re missing three cast members, three family members,” he said.
Since the final episode of the show, three of the former cast members have sadly passed away.
Peter Boyle, who played Frank, died at the age of 71 in 2006 whie Doris Roberts who played his wife Marie also passed away at the age of 90 in 2016.
Young actor Sawyer Sweeten, who had the role of one of Ray and Debra Barone’s twin sons, tragically died at the age of 19 after taking his own life in 2015.
Romano said a reboot wouldn’t work because “three family members” have passed away. (CBS)
Rosenthal agreed with Ramono, saying “It wouldn’t be the same”.
“We have too much respect for the show itself and for the beautiful audience,” he said.
It took a long 10 years for Rosenthal to finally get his second show, a PBS series turned into Netflix’s Somebody Feed Phil, to air on TV.
In his successful eight-season travel documentary series, Rosenthal takes his viewers on an eating tour of the world.
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Rosenthal will tour Australia in May 2026. (Getty)
He took a trip across multiple states of Australia for the series, captured deeply enjoying a breakfast at Bondi Beach and putting a spotlight on Australian cuisine in multiple episodes.
Coming up this year, from May 7 to May 15, Rosenthal will make six stops in Australia for his speaking tour where he will share his life stories about career, travelling, family, food and host audience Q&A’s.
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