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Legendary comedian Ray Romano rose to fame playing a fictionalized version of himself, Ray Barone, in the classic '90s family sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond. The show explores the inner workings of an Italian-American family that's just a little too close. There are over 200 episodes, and while each is hilarious, Romano has revealed his favorite.
Throughout Everybody Loves Raymond's nine-season run, the sitcom never loses touch with what made it so popular. While it is difficult to pinpoint a single episode as the show's best, Ray Romano's current favorite, "Talk to Your Daughter," is an excellent choice.
Ray Romano Named His Favorite Everybody Loves Raymond Episode
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Ray Romano revealed that he had recently gone back to rewatch Everybody Loves Raymond in its entirety. In true Ray Barone fashion, he kept meticulous notes on each episode, rating them to determine which were his favorite from the show's nine-season run. By the end of his rewatch, he had settled on the Season 6 episode "Talk to Your Daughter" as his favorite.
First released in 2002, "Talk to Your Daughter" sees Ray spiral after Ally, his eldest child, asks about where babies come from. Initially believing that she's curious about "the birds and the bees," Ray does meticulous research to prepare for "the talk." After finally building the courage to tackle this mature subject with his daughter, Ray is utterly blindsided when he learns that Ally isn't interested in "the birds and the bees." What she really wants to talk about is the purpose of life: "Why are we here?" she wonders, catching her father completely off-guard.
Ever true to character, Ray snaps off a less-than-adequate answer, claiming people are here on Earth because "Heaven is crowded." The rest of the episode follows Ray as he spirals out of control and contemplates the question himself. Naturally, he drags the rest of his family down with him, as they too begin to contemplate the meaning of life — if there is one at all.
Every character reacts to these contemplations in much the way any viewer would expect after spending any amount of time with the Barone family. Ray characteristically freaks out, while his wife, Debra, scolds him for his immaturity, while avoiding the question herself.
Robert immediately collapses on himself as he ponders the true meaning of life, while his mother, Marie, is still stuck on the idea that she forgot to give him "the talk" as a kid. Frank, of course, offers his own nihilistic view of life: "You're born, you go to school, you go to work, you die."
As is often the case with Everybody Loves Raymond's best episodes, "Talk to Your Daughter" culminates in a heartwarming catharsis as the Barone family rallies around Ally to give the best answer they can. By the time Ray and Debra work up the courage to reopen the dialogue, they find that Ally has already moved on/
She forgot her deep question as she giggles alongside her brothers in the middle of a childish game. The Barones decide that they have once again overcomplicated the issue and enjoy watching their kids play — until, of course, something gets broken.
"Talk to Your Daughter" Highlights What Makes Everybody Loves Raymond So Great
"Talk to Your Daughter" is an excellent showcase of everything that makes Everybody Loves Raymond one of the most beloved sitcoms of all time. The episode, like the series as a whole, is a masterclass in taking one small, relatable moment and blowing it out into a 22-minute comedy routine.
Everything that audiences love about the Barone family is on full display as they grapple with a singular question that has very quickly ruined their entire afternoon. Ray's signature neuroticism is what sparks the conflict in the first place, as he very quickly makes what could have been a simple conversation into an entire family ordeal.
The rest of the family piles on, each addressing the issue in character. In typical Barone fashion, they even manage to pull outsiders down with them, with a memorable moment featuring Marie leaving a message on their priest's answering machine as she looks for answers to Ally's question.
"Talk to Your Daughter" is an excellent showcase that illustrates why Everybody Loves Raymond is so beloved even 30 years after itspremiere. While many similar sitcoms have aged poorly, Everybody Loves Raymond still feels surprisingly modern. This is mostly due to its acute focus on family dynamics and everyday issues that viewers can relate to.
While the technology and pop culture references may feel dated, the storylines and conflicts in the series are all universal. Everyone can relate to the Barone family, whether they watched the series as it aired in the '90s and '00s or are streaming it in the 2020s.
This was no accident. Series creators Phil Rosenthal and Ray Romano deliberately crafted their show to be as relatable as possible. Everyone can see their family reflected in the Barones, even if the television family is a heightened version of it. Their conflicts often start as minor and get blown out of proportion because of their own neurotic personalities. This is part of what makes Everybody Loves Raymond so fun to watch decades after it went off the air.
Everybody Loves Raymond Is One of TV's Best Sitcoms
Everybody Loves Raymond recently celebrated its 13th anniversary with a two-part reunion special on Paramount+. The specials quickly became among the most popular offerings on the streaming platform, proving once again just how popular the sitcom remains.
Besides its relatability, Everybody Loves Raymond also features some of the most iconic television characters of all time. In addition to Ray Romano's fictionalized version of himself, his co-stars elevate the series even further. Patricia Heaton won two Emmy Awards for her portrayal of the always-exasperated Debra Barone.
Meanwhile, Brad Garrett manages to steal every scene he's in as the lumbering giant and jealous older brother, Robert. Of course, Doris Roberts and Peter Boyle are never wasted as Marie and Frank, Ray and Robert's overly involved parents.
Everybody Loves Raymond will forever be one of the greatest sitcoms in television history. While many similar shows have been rebooted or revived in recent years, no one will ever try bringing back Everybody Loves Raymond. It would simply be impossible to recapture the magic of the original nine seasons, especially now that icons like Roberts and Boyle have passed away. Even so, the original series is still effortlessly rewatchable today, exploring the ins and outs of a relatable, albeit exaggerated, family life.
Ray Romano's choice of favorite Everybody Loves Raymond episode is a good one. Not only is "Talk to Your Daughter" an excellent showcase of what made the show great, but it is also a perfect entry point for new fans of the sitcom.
Everybody Loves Raymond is available to stream on Peacock and Paramount+.
