Everybody Loves Raymond reunion special hits CBS Monday with rare cast reunion, emotional tributes

Everybody Loves Raymond returns for its first reunion special. CBS airs the 90-minute celebration on Monday, Nov. 24 at 8 p.m. ET. The cast hasn’t reunited like this in nearly 20 years. This marks the show’s landmark 30th anniversary milestone.

The Cast Reunites After Decades

The beloved sitcom last aired in 2005 after nine seasons of laughs. Now the surviving cast is back on stage together. Ray Romano, Brad Garrett, Patricia Heaton, Monica Horan, Madylin Sweeten, and Sullivan Sweeten will share memories from the show. The special was filmed on the original set, bringing back that familiar kitchen and living room. Even some original props made it back. Ray Romano revealed that the actual couch from the Barone home now lives in his home theater. Creators brought it back just for the reunion taping.

The special also honors those we’ve lost. Doris Roberts, who played Marie, and Peter Boyle, who played Frank, get emotional tributes. Sawyer Sweeten, who played Geoffrey, is also remembered. These moments add genuine emotion to what’s otherwise a celebration of incredible comedy.

Why It Took 30 Years to Make This Happen

Phil Rosenthal didn’t give up easily. The creator tried to organize reunions for the 20th anniversary and the 25th anniversary. CBS just wasn’t interested back then. Everything changed when new leadership arrived at the network. “The newest leadership at CBS was into it, and so that’s why we’re here today,” Rosenthal said in an exclusive interview with People. Ray Romano admitted they “had trouble getting it made, but we always wanted to do it.”

Here’s something interesting about the timing. The special airs 29 years after the show premiered on Sept. 13, 1996. Why not wait for the actual 30th anniversary? Romano explained it comes down to CBS’s fall schedule. The network wanted to air it during Thanksgiving week, which made more sense than waiting. Plus, Romano pointed out that the show was truly born 30 years ago when he appeared on David Letterman’s show in 1995.

Cast Details & What to Expect

The cast fell back into familiar rhythms immediately. Phil Rosenthal sees Ray Romano frequently, so they’ve never really stopped working together behind the scenes. Brad Garrett lives primarily in Vegas, but when the whole gang gathers, something magical happens. “When we are together and Patty too, it is so easy.” Rosenthal revealed. “We fall back into a very easy, almost familial relationship.”

Behind-the-Scenes Moments & Special Details

Ray Romano brought back physical memories from the set. Besides the famous Barone living room couch, other original props returned for filming. Phil Rosenthal shared that he kept the parents’ kitchen table and chairs at his guest house for 30 years. Yes, they’re still in the same condition as when the show ended. These authentic details give fans genuine nostalgia during the special.

The special gained momentum after an incredible moment at the 2025 Emmy Awards. Ray Romano and Brad Garrett presented the Outstanding Comedy Series award and their bit went viral. They joked about whether one of them would end up in the In Memoriam segment someday. The hilarious presentation helped prove fans still loved these characters. Romano didn’t even know it had gone viral until people told him later. “I did get people telling me that they really liked the little bit we did. It was great,” he admitted.

What to Know Before Tuning In?

• The show never wanted to do a full reboot. This is purely a celebration special.
• You’ll see the original set rebuilt exactly as it was during the 1996-2005 run.
• Expect stories about how the show shaped their careers and personal lives.
• Streaming on Paramount+ gives cord-cutters another way to watch besides CBS.
• Fans in the New York area can visit the set exhibit. The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame opens an exclusive Everybody Loves Raymond: Celebrating 30 Years exhibit on Nov. 28.

Why Does This Reunion Matter Now?

Television has shifted toward reboots and revivals in recent years. The cast deliberately avoided that path. They wanted something authentic—just getting back together to celebrate what they built. “We never wanted to do the reboot,” Ray Romano emphasized. The stars didn’t even pressure the cast to participate until CBS gave the greenlight. Romano figured they’d obviously say yes, and he was right.

This special arrives at a perfect moment. Nostalgia hits differently in 2025. Fans who grew up with the Barone family can relive their show’s magic. New generations discovering reruns get context about why this sitcom mattered so much. Getting these actors back together, on that actual set, with genuine emotion about departed cast members—that’s television at its best. It’s not manufactured drama. It’s real love for a show that changed comedy forever.

Sources

• Deadline — Behind-the-scenes details and creator statements
• People Magazine — Exclusive interviews with Romano and Rosenthal
• CBS — Official special information and air dates

Jessica Morrison

Jessica Morrison is a seasoned entertainment writer with over a decade of experience covering television, film, and pop culture. After earning a degree in journalism from New York University, she worked as a freelance writer for various entertainment magazines before joining red94.net. Her expertise lies in analyzing television series, from groundbreaking dramas to light-hearted comedies, and she often provides in-depth reviews and industry insights. Outside of writing, Jessica is an avid film buff and enjoys discovering new indie movies at local festivals.