Everybody Loves Raymond creator Phil Rosenthal DEFENDS woke Hollywood cancel culture amid reunion hopes

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The visionary behind Everyone Loves Raymond, Phil Rosenthal, is sharing insights into Hollywood’s challenges and has announced plans for a reunion of the beloved series.

The veteran TV scriptwriter, aged 65, recently discussed the impact of cancel culture and offered insights on how he’s managed to steer clear of it, all while maintaining a level of sensitivity crucial for his widespread success.

‘He mentioned during the Televerse 25 event in Los Angeles last week that perhaps one should take more precautions, though he isn’t certain if it’s necessarily a negative development,’ is a possible way to paraphrase the original statement.

‘I think it’s good to be sensitive,’ he continued.

Philip Rosenthal gained recognition primarily for developing the popular CBS sitcom “Everybody Loves Raymond” in 1995, in addition to his Emmy-nominated food and travel documentary series, titled “Somebody Feed Phil,” on Netflix.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d like to share a fascinating anecdote from my personal research. Ray Romano, the star of the hit sitcom “Everybody Loves Raymond,” once revealed that there was a time when he considered walking away from the show due to certain casting decisions. But, as you’ll see, it all worked out in the end!

He said, “Being humorous isn’t off-limits for you, but instead of making jokes at someone else’s cost, perhaps you avoid doing so, regardless of who they may be.

‘Unless you’re punching above your class, right? You want to punch up, not down.’

He served as both the writer and executive producer for the popular sitcom “Everybody Loves Raymond,” featuring the main character Ray Barone, portrayed by actor and humorist Ray Romano.

In addition to him, the program prominently showcased his on-screen spouse, Patricia Heaton, along with Brad Garrett, Madylin Sweeten, the late performers Peter Boyle and Doris Roberts, as well as several other talented individuals.

Everybody Loves Raymond aired for nine seasons on CBS, from September 1996 until May 2005. 

In the midst of its popularity, CBS introduced a spin-off series called “The King of Queens,” featuring Kevin James as the lead character.

Rosenthal made his remarks following Rob Schneider’s criticism of ‘cancel culture,’ which he asserted has negatively impacted the realm of comedy.

Schneider, recognized for his comedic works like “Grown-Ups” and “The Hot Chick,” expressed a viewpoint that contemporary viewers may be overly sensitive when it comes to the subjects comedians are allowed to make light of in television humor.

People tend to become tense over various matters. That’s why I find it crucial to have a dimly lit stage for my performances, as it allows the audience to perceive sounds that aren’t typically audible on television,” expressed Schneider with some frustration.

Instead, Rosenthal asserted in his recent interview that his comic sensibility has significantly boosted his professional achievements.

He pointed out that the show Everybody Loves Raymond achieved immense popularity by steering clear of controversial topics and instead aimed to create an atmosphere that felt timeless.

He mentioned that ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’ was intentionally crafted to remain relevant over time. This was achieved by avoiding jokes based on current events or daily topics.

Rosenthal noted that it could have been simple to incorporate Bill Clinton humor at our initial performance, but doing so might make the show seem outdated.

He went on to explain, ‘We tackled aspects that seemed widespread to all. Connections, matrimony, familial disputes among siblings, parenthood, and being parented,’ he said.

Consequently, it’s still going strong. As we approach the new year, we’ll be celebrating 30 years of being on the air.

Rosenthal clarified that instead of a series reboot, he was focusing on organizing a reunion show. He stated this to the media, saying, “I am working on it. A reunion show, not a reboot of the series.

This year, Brad Garrett, the actor portraying Ray’s brother Robert, has shared his thoughts on the possibility of a remake.

According to Garrett, he stated, “It’s not going to happen.” He mentions this because it’s a phrase that Ray and Phil have often used in the past.

He stated that the popular series wouldn’t have been the same without the contributions of Peter Boyle and Doris Roberts, who portrayed Frank and Marie Barone, the characters of Ray and Robert’s parents.

‘They served as the inspiration, and any action bearing a resemblance to them might not sit well with the audience or loyal fans. Essentially, the story revolves around these two families, and there’s no way to avoid that fact.’

Boyle died at 71 in December 2006, and Roberts died nearly a decade later at 90 in April 2016.

In a recent interview, Rosenthal shared the precise point when he realized that his show would endure as the timeless success it is today – three decades on from its initial airing.

He described it as similar to the third episode. There was an incident that prompted a hearty laugh from the audience, who were new to the show, as it hadn’t aired on television prior to that moment.

At first, we were merely producing various shows, aiming to draw any audience possible who would show up, unaware of what they were about to watch. However, a laugh erupted so large and infectious that it transcended simple amusement. It transformed into, “Ah, they’ve connected with the characters.” And that moment, I realized we had created something special.

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2025-08-20 17:24