Credit: Amazon.com
Created by
Philip Rosenthal
Cast
Ray Romano …. Raymond “Ray” Barone
Patricia Heaton…. Debra Barone
Brad Garrett …. Robert Barone
Madylin Sweeten …. Ally Barone
Sawyer Sweeten …. Geoffrey Barone
Sullivan Sweeten …. Michael Barone
Monica Horan …. Amy MacDougall Barone
Doris Roberts …. Marie Barone
Peter Boyle…. Frank Barone
The Show
When it came out in 1996, Everybody Loves Raymond premiered amongst a huge amount of competition. This was during the heyday of “Must See TV” with Seinfeld and Friends ruling the roost on television. Surprisingly enough, the show thrived, and nine seasons later, the show went out on top, as the most popular sitcom on TV.
The fourth season is a prime example of the show’s winning formula. Despite being the typical sitcom with a laugh track and goofy neighbors, the series consistently has episodes that feature very insightful commentaries on marriage and family. While the situations may be kooky, they still seem realistic. Few series have had a better portrayal of male laziness, insecurities, jealous siblings, and overbearing parents. The life of Ray Barone (Ray Romano) and his wife Debra (Patricia Heaton) may seem like an uneventful one, but its strength lies in its familiarity.
The premiere for the season starts the DVD set off right with an episode entitled Boob Job. Ray and Debra attend a get together for parents when Ray’s wife tells him she just saw the results of the hostess’ recent augmentation. Unfortunately for Ray, he seems a little too excited about the goings on. When Debra asks if she should get them, Ray’s response of “Not if you think its stupid” is not what she what she wanted to hear. While this is not the first show to tackle the age old question of why men are fascinated with breasts, this is done so its still really funny while not seeming too crude.
Other highlights include the episode The Tenth Anniversary in which Ray tapes over his wedding video in favor of Super Bowl XXV. The installmet is highlighted with the couple renewing her vows with all the goofy friends along for some pretty good gags, especially all the men sitting around watching the end of the Bills/Giants Super Bowl. Another funny installment is entitled Hackidu and features Paul Reubens in a cameo as a Comic Book store owner.
Certain episodes do a great job of spotlighting the strengths of the series’ supporting cast. Bad Moon Rising has Debra dealing with PMS in a less than positive way, but still funny in a way that’s not degrading. Patricia Heaton’s performance in the episode is so good, it won her an Emmy.
Brad Garrett has some really funny moments over the course of the season as Ray’s brother Robert, but none are more hilarious than Robert’s Rodeo. In the episode Garrett’s Robert, a cop, has to take down an illegal rodeo, but ends up getting gored for his trouble. He has a hard time taking care of basic day to day things, so he has to move back in with his parents Frank and Marie (Peter Boyle and Doris Roberts). This, of course, is a losing situation as while he loves his parents, he hates being around them.
Comedy veteran Peter Boyle shines in You Bet where he uses Ray’s inside info as a sports writer to win bets. The installment is great at examining the relationship with Ray and his Dad. Frank is terrible as a father, but Ray loves him anyway. Any difference in the situation would actually seem unnatural, so they just go with what they have. This is probably typical of a lot of families.
Doris Roberts’ Marie Barone is one of the cruelest and yet endearing mother in-laws in the history of television. She is constantly critical of Debra, yet so funny you can’t help but like her. Robert’s best moments of the season come in No Thanks and Sex Talk. In No Thanks, Debra begins placating Marie by agreeing with all of her criticisms. When it actually starts working, the results are quite funny. In Sex Talk Ray and Debra are trying to get the facts about how many times a week Frank and Marie still do the deed. Roberts comes off as very sympathetic in this episode as she tries to keep the information how active she still is between her and her husband while Frank is very vocal about his prowess.
All the actors do a great job in the episode entitled The Can Opener. Ray and Debra fight about a new can opener she purchased as Ray tells his side to his parents and Debra tell the events of the argument to Robert. The episode is told Rashomon style as each tells their side of the story while showing themselves in a better light.
For those looking for some good chuckles, you could do a lot worse than Everybody Loves Raymond. The show is good hearted fun and really seems to be able to get to the core of relationships with those we love. The show isn’t ground breaking, or even really that inventive, but its laughs are genuine. The jokes have a tendency to get a bit corny on occasion, but never slip into According to Jim or Rodney territory. For good old fashioned laughs with a little heart, this box set is a good one.
Score: 8.0/10
The Video
The show looks fine. It’s presented in an anamorphic Widescreen with an aspect ratio 1.78:1. The image quality is excellent here with no degradation at all.
Score: 8.5/10
The Audio
The Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo track is also quite good. There are no big effects or moments that require great sound quality, but its here all the same
Score: 8.0/10
SPECIAL FEATURES:Four optional audio commentaries (“Boob Job”, “Robert’s Rodeo”,” The Tenth Anniversary” and “Bad Moon Rising”) with series creator Phil Rosenthal, Ray Romano, Brad Garrett, Patricia Heaton, and writers Aaron Shure and Lew Schneider, Deleted Scenes, Bloopers.
Boob Job – Audio Commentary by Creator Phil Rosenthal, Star Ray Romano, and Writer Lew Schneider: This is a really funny commentary as writer Lew Schneider recants how these events actually happened to him in real life and then inspired him to write the episode. The three discuss how the episodes theme is a variation on the question “Am I fat?” Each agree its a no win situation.
Robert’s Rodeo – Commentary by Creator Phil Rosenthal, Stars Ray Romano, and Brad Garrett: Adding Brad Garrett to this mix makes for even for hilarity here as the commentary is less about the episode’s story and more about Garrett talking about how much thinner he was at the time and how great Patricia Heaton’s real life breast augmentation looks.
The Tenth Anniversary – Audio Commentary by Creator Phil Rosenthal, Star Ray Romano, and Writer Aaron Shure:This episode was once again inspired by real life events as write Aaron Shure taped over his own wedding video with episodes of Everybody Loves Raymond. Once again Patricia Heaton’s new “physique” is discussed.
Robert’s Rodeo – Commentary by Creator Phil Rosenthal, Stars Ray Romano, and Patricia Heaton: Phil and Ray have to be on their best behavior for this commentary. Patricia Heaton actually admits to having PMS as they record the commentary, which scares the guys a bit. The funniest portion of the track comes when Ray complains that he and Phil were both nominated for Emmys, but Heaton was the only one who received one.
Deleted Scenes: There are 13 deleted scenes for 11 episodes on the DVD set.
Boob Job – Frank watches TV at Ray’s house and pays off Ray’s kids to be quiet. The scene features some funny interaction between Heaton and Doris Roberts also.
You Bet – Ray has cold feet as he gets into bed. They talk about Frank.
Sex Talk – Ray inquires about a book Debra is reading. Debra warns Ray about the children asking about sex.
– One of the children asks about sex and Ray runs and hides.
The Sister – Ray tells Debra what he wants for breakfast. This is a pretty funny exchange, as Ray first complains and then states that all he needs is Debra’s smile to get out of it.
Cousin Gerard – Debra has thrown out some notes for Ray’s book.
No Thanks – Ray tries to apply Debra’s method of ignoring his family when they bother him on Robert and Frank with disastrous results.
Left Back – Ray ignores his wife as she complains about their children. The scene ends with a funny joke in which Debra calls Ray Jerkface, which is one of by favorite insults.
– Ray and Debra discuss their kid’s teacher.
The Tenth Anniversary – Ray complains about people not RSVP’ing his invitations to the renewing of his marriage vows.
Alone Time – Ray keeps hitting on Debra while she insists he go to work.
Bad Moon Rising – Ray realizes he has a tumultuous week ahead of him with Debra having PMS as well as a dentist appointment.
Confronting the Attacker – Marie wants to watch sports with Ray.
Bloopers: This is a 15 minute blooper reel. I’m torn on it because it has a laugh track, which takes away from the proceedings as it feels faker than usual. On the other hand, there are some funny bits here. The best involves Romano’s actual brother substituting for Brad Garrett and cursing at him.
Score: 7.5/10
