The reunited cast emotionally paid tribute to Doris Roberts, Peter Boyle and Sawyer Sweeten: ‘We’re missing three family members’
The Barones are back!
The stars of “Everybody Loves Raymond,” which racked up 15 Emmy Awards during the show’s nine-season run on CBS, gathered once more to mark the upcoming 30th anniversary of the sitcom’s premiere.
The series, inspired by the stand-up routine of lead Ray Romano, debuted on Sept. 13, 1996. It centered on sportswriter Ray Barone (Romano), his nonsense-intolerant wife Debra (Patricia Heaton) and their three young children (played by real-life siblings Madylin, Sawyer and Sullivan Sweeten), who live across the street from Ray’s parents (Doris Roberts and Peter Boyle) and brother (Brad Garrett).
In the 90-minute “Everybody Loves Raymond: 30th Anniversary Reunion” that aired Nov. 24 (streaming now on Paramount+), the stars regaled fans with their favorite episodes, shared stories from auditions, and honored those on the cast who have died.
Romano, now 67, revealed Heaton stood out among the more than 200 actresses who read for the role of his wife.
“There was a part that says, ‘She kisses her husband,’ and every other actress just kind of mimed it,” Romano said. “For some reason, she did it, and when she walked out, I go, ‘That’s the one!’ ”
Heaton, also 67, joked, “That’s how desperate I was to get the job.”
Here are other notable moments from the reunion:
Ray Romano explains why an ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’ reboot is ‘never’ going to happen
Romano was quick to explain at the top of the reunion why the beloved series will never be revived.
“We’re never going to do (a reboot) because we’re missing three cast members, three family members,” Romano said, referring to Boyle, Roberts and Sawyer Sweeten. “We would never try to do the show without them.”
Boyle died in 2006 at age 71, from heart disease and multiple myeloma. Roberts, 90, died in 2016 from a massive stroke. Sawyer died by suicide a few weeks short of his 20th birthday in 2015.
Even if the show returned, “It wouldn’t be the same,” series creator Phil Rosenthal said. And everyone involved has “too much respect for the show itself and for the beautiful audience” to mess with it, Rosenthal added..
The cast shares heartfelt tributes to Peter Boyle and Doris Roberts
The character of Marie (Roberts) took inspiration from Rosenthal’s real-life mom, and Frank (Boyle) was based on Romano’s dad. “I used to say, ‘Everything you saw Peter do, my father probably did in real life without pants on,” Romano said.
Boyle “was pretty much the opposite,” of Frank, Romano added, and Rosenthal shared two facts about the “Young Frankenstein” actor that he thought might surprise the audience. “He studied to be a monk,” Rosenthal revealed, “and best man at his wedding was John Lennon.”
Rosenthal recalled that 100 women read for the part of Marie, but Roberts outshined them all. And she had a bit of a party trick, Heaton revealed.
“Doris could drink everybody under the table,” Heaton said with a smile. “Champagne, that was her choice.”
Sullivan Sweeten remembers ‘the good moments’ with his late brother, Sawyer
During the reunion, Romano asked if it would be OK to talk about Sawyer, and his sister Madylin gave a wholehearted “Yes!”
“Sawyer, of course, is no longer with us and we miss him,” Romano said. “And he was − just like you were − just this bright, energy light.”
“None of us really expected what happened,” Sawyer’s twin Sullivan said. “But I try to think about the good moments, and oftentimes, that’s here on the set.”
The Sweeten family is “very passionate” about suicide prevention, Madylin said. “So many of the messages that we get are people saying, ‘I’m so grateful to have heard about your brother. He saved my life.’ ”
If you or someone you know needs mental health resources and support, please call, text or chat with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or visit 988lifeline.org for 24/7 access to free and confidential services.