Everybody Loves Raymond premiered on September 13, 1996, and built a nine-season, 210-episode sitcom around Ray Barone’s life in Long Island. The series ran through to its finale on May 16, 2005, spanning a timeline that reflected real-time advances in family life and workplace culture. Below is a detailed breakdown of key milestones, production facts, and context that clarify the show’s start and duration, serving as a long-term reference for viewers and researchers.
Key Dates and Series Lifespan
Everybody Loves Raymond launched in the late-1990s network television era, a period dominated by family and workplace comedies. The premiere date was September 13, 1996, on CBS, airing after The Nanny and before Dr. Katz in the schedule. The show concluded on May 16, 2005, after nine seasons and 210 episodes. This multi-season run established it as one of the decade’s most enduring sitcoms.
Season Progression and Episode Output
The series maintained a consistent production schedule for most of its run, averaging roughly 22 to 24 episodes annually in early seasons and slightly fewer in later years as cast and creative commitments evolved. The table below summarizes season-by-season highlights, including premiere and finale dates, total episodes per season, and cumulative totals.
| Season | Episodes | Season Premiere | Season Finale | Cumulative Episodes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 22 | Sep 13, 1996 | May 1997 | 22 |
| 2 | 24 | Sep 1997 | May 1998 | 46 |
| 3 | 25 | Sep 1998 | May 1999 | 71 |
| 4 | 24 | Sep 1999 | May 2000 | 95 |
| 5 | 24 | Sep 2000 | May 2001 | 119 |
| 6 | 25 | Sep 2001 | May 2002 | 144 |
| 7 | 24 | Sep 22, 2002 | May 18, 2003 | 168 |
| 8 | 24 | Sep 22, 2003 | May 30, 2004 | 192 |
| 9 | 16 | Sep 21, 2004 | May 16, 2005 | 208 |
Context Behind the Start Year
September 1996 marked a period of stability for CBS comedy blocks, with Raymond positioned between The Nanny and established procedural shows. The choice of this launch window allowed the series to develop character-driven storytelling without the pressure of intense competition from event-style dramas. Low-turnover lead actors and a stable writing staff contributed to consistent quality across the early seasons, helping the show build a loyal audience through word-of-mouth and syndication potential.
Production Notes and Creative Stability
Everybody Loves Raymond was produced by HBO Independent Productions and Where’s Lunch, with Philip Rosenthal serving as showrunner for the majority of its run. This creative continuity supported long-form storytelling and recurring joke structures that defined the series’ tone. The stable core cast and writing team minimized disruptive casting or tone shifts, which is often a critical factor in sitcom longevity and syndication success.
Comparison to Other Late-1990s Multicam Sitcoms
In context, the 1996 start aligned Raymond with other multicamera, domestic-style comedies that emphasized relatable family dynamics. Its performance contrasted with more stylized or workplace-focused contemporaries, carving a niche for slow-burn, dialogue-heavy humor. The show’s ability to sustain a consistent format over nine seasons highlights how its timing and execution met audience expectations of the sitcom genre during that era.
Lasting Impact and Syndication Reach
Long after its final episode in 2005, Everybody Loves Raymond continues to air in global syndication and on streaming platforms, testament to its durable premise and broad appeal. Strong international sales and consistent rerun performance reflect the strength of its initial launch in the mid-1990s and the value of investing in solid writing and cast chemistry from day one.
Summary Timeline of the Series Start and Key Milestones
- 1993: Concept and pilot development begin, with early iterations tested within CBS development frameworks.
- 1996: Official series pickup and premiere on September 13, establishing the core cast and tone.
- 1997–2005: Nine-season run with steady production, minimal cast turnover, and consistent critical and audience reception.
- 2005: Series finale on May 16, cementing the show’s legacy as a long-running, syndication-friendly sitcom.
References
Information in this article is derived from publicly available CBS press archives, industry trade publications documenting the 1996–2005 television landscape, and authoritative entertainment databases that track episode counts, air dates, and production credits.
About the Author
This article is written from an evergreen explainer and profile perspective, focusing on factual timelines, production context, and long-term performance indicators rather than temporary news or promotional angles.
Tags: television history, sitcom analysis, CBS programming, 1990s comedy, show timelines