Kevin James’ sitcom from the early 2000s, The King of Queens, remains as funny now as it was when it ended in 2007. Now, most people may know Kevin James as one of the key members of Adam Sandler’s merry band of actors who all appear in the same movies, but he’s had an impressive career on his own, too.
James’ career has been defined by two eras. One in which he’s appeared in nearly every Sandler movie of the last 20 years, from 50 First Dates to Hubie Halloween, and one in which he starred in a network sitcom called King of Queens. It’s since gone overlooked, but King of Queens remains a fantastic entry in the sitcom canon.
The King Of Queens Is A Hilarious, Overlooked Sitcom
Arthur helps Doug learn how to play ping pong by standing behind him, holding his harm, and using a spoon in place of a paddle.
The King of Queens premiered on CBS in September 1998 and ran for nine seasons until 2007. Kevin James co-stars as Doug Heffernan alongside Leah Remini as his wife Carrie. The middle-class couple lives with Carrie’s widowed, oddball father, Arthur (Jerry Stiller) in the Rego Park section of Queens, New York.
Doug is a delivery driver and someone who never keeps his mouth shut when he has something on his mind. Doug often comes up with schemes and plans in order to get what he wants, which can be anything from a promotion at work to a sandwich at a diner. More often than not, his plans fall apart embarrassingly.
The King of Queens came out around the same time as Two and a Half Men, According to Jim, and Reba. It was a stacked decade for sitcoms, and yet The King of Queens managed to carve a niche for itself. Few shows featured a childless couple (mostly) in their middle age, whose responsibility was to an elder.
It’s a unique format that allowed for different stories, and mature jokes and adult situations that were still appropriate for young viewers. Since its time on the air, The King of Queens feels lost to time, particularly with James moving into a completely different part of his career. However, the show is still as funny now as it was then.
Everybody Loves Raymond And The King Of Queens Are In The Same Universe
Interestingly enough, The King of Queens shares a universe with another popular sitcom: Everybody Loves Raymond. Kevin James first started appearing in the series as a recurring guest in season 1 as the character Kevin Daniels, Ray’s (Ray Romano) friend. Later in season 3, Kevin is gone, and Doug Heffernan shows up.
James is playing the same character as the one in The King of Queens. As Ray and his family live in suburban Long Island, it makes sense that Doug would deliver to Ray’s house and even be his friend. The Barones even appear in a few episodes of The King of Queens, making for a cozy connection between the series.
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Release Date
1998 – 2007-00-00
Showrunner
Rob Schiller
