September 13, 1996. That’s the date. It was a Friday night on CBS, which, if you know anything about the history of television, was basically where shows went to die back then.
Honestly, it’s a miracle the show survived its first year. Most people assume Everybody Loves Raymond was an instant smash hit because it ended up being one of the biggest sitcoms in history, but that is totally wrong. When the pilot first aired, it was buried in a Friday slot and nobody was really watching. It was the underdog of the 1996–97 season, competing with heavy hitters like Cosby and Ink.
Ray Barone was just a guy with a suitcase, a chaotic house, and a family that wouldn't leave him alone.
When Did Everybody Loves Raymond Start Its 9-Year Run?
The journey officially kicked off on September 13, 1996, with an episode simply titled "Pilot." But the version of the show we saw that night wasn't quite the polished machine it became. If you go back and watch that first episode now, things feel... off.
The kids' names? They were different. The twin boys were originally named Gregory and Matthew, played by triplets (yes, triplets) named Amber, Drew, and Justin Ferreira. It wasn't until later that the show switched to Michael and Geoffrey, played by the Sweeten brothers. Even the house looked different. The set design in the pilot feels like a standard TV set, lacking that "lived-in" clutter that eventually made the Barone household feel so real.
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A Slow Burn to the Top
CBS didn't really know what they had at first. While they were busy promoting stars like Ted Danson and Rhea Perlman, Ray Romano was this relatively unknown stand-up comedian with a nasal voice and a self-deprecating vibe.
The ratings for Season 1 were, frankly, pretty bad. It ranked 84th in the year-end ratings. Most shows get the axe for that. But critics—bless them—saw something the general public hadn't yet. The New York Times called it the most "critically praised new show" of the season. That buzz kept it alive just long enough for the network to make a move that changed everything.
They moved it to Monday nights.
Suddenly, it was sandwiched between Cosby and Cybill. The audience finally found it. By the time Season 3 rolled around in 1998, just as Seinfeld was ending, CBS was positioning Ray as the next big thing in comedy. They even took out a full-page ad in TV Guide basically saying, "Hey, if you're gonna miss Jerry, come hang out with Ray."
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Why the Start of the Series Almost Didn't Happen
There’s a legendary story about how Phil Rosenthal, the show’s creator, and Ray Romano almost walked away before they even began. Ray didn't even like the title! He thought Everybody Loves Raymond sounded too arrogant. It was actually based on something Ray’s real-life brother, Richard, said in a sarcastic tone during a joke. Ray was terrified that critics would use the title against him the second the show failed, writing headlines like "I guess not everybody loves Raymond."
Phil Rosenthal, on the other hand, had to fight tooth and nail for the casting. Can you imagine the show without Peter Boyle or Doris Roberts? It’s impossible. But Rosenthal has talked openly about how he actually quit the show twice during the development phase because he refused to compromise on the vision of the family. He wanted it to feel like his family—and Ray's family. He wanted the bickering to be grounded in love, not just mean-spirited punchlines.
The Evolution of the Barones
As the show progressed from that September start, it morphed from a "stand-up vehicle" into a true ensemble piece.
- Ray Barone: The sportswriter who just wants to avoid conflict.
- Debra Barone: The actual glue (and voice of reason) played by Patricia Heaton.
- Robert Barone: The towering, insecure brother played by Brad Garrett.
- Marie and Frank: The meddling parents who lived across the street.
The "start" of the show wasn't just that first air date; it was the moment the writers realized the show was really about the generational war between Ray’s house and his parents' house.
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The Impact of the 1996 Premiere
By the time the series finale aired on May 16, 2005, over 32 million people were watching. It’s wild to think it started with only 8.8 million viewers for the pilot. It proved that "traditional" multi-cam sitcoms weren't dead—they just had to be honest.
If you want to revisit the beginning, you should look for the subtle differences in the first few episodes. The intro is different. The energy is a little more nervous. But the DNA of what made it great—the relatable, exhausting, hilarious reality of being part of a family—was there from day one.
How to Watch It Now
If you're looking to binge the series from its 1996 beginning:
- Peacock: Usually has the full nine seasons available for streaming.
- Paramount+: Since it's a CBS property, it often lives here as well.
- Syndication: Check your local listings for TV Land; they basically play it on a loop, which is honestly the best way to consume it.
Don't just watch the hits. Go back to that first season. Watch how they struggled to find the rhythm of Frank’s insults and Marie’s passive-aggressive "help." It’s a masterclass in how a show grows from a shaky start into a cultural icon.
The best way to appreciate the Barones is to see where they came from—a low-budget pilot on a Friday night in 1996 that almost nobody saw.
Now that you know the history, go back and watch the pilot episode. Pay close attention to the twin boys' names and the layout of the kitchen; it’s a fun "spot the difference" game for any real fan of the series. Once you’ve seen the humble beginnings, the 15 Emmy Awards they eventually won make a lot more sense.