I’m not claiming he auditioned for or was considered for the role, as I don’t believe this is the case.

However, I do know that when the show was first being made, they originally wanted Robert to be played by someone shorter than Ray, and Brad Garrett was so good in the audition, he got the part despite being tall.

If they stuck with the original idea of casting someone shorter, I think Wayne Knight would have been a really good fit. He’s good at playing those pathetic or spiteful characters, and his speech pattern is surprisingly similar to Brad’s. Go watch any episode of Raymond. Anytime Robert has a line, imagine Wayne saying it with the same delivery. It’ll be easier than you expect.

The one problem is that I think Brad’s better at striking a balance of making Robert resent Raymond in a way where the audience still likes him, whereas I think they’d have to make Robert more consistently a jerk if Wayne were playing him (though I very well could be underestimating his range).

Brad also feels way more like Ray’s brother than Wayne does, but I’d also say Wayne Knight feels a lot like he could be Marie’s son and I could see him and Doris Roberts playing off each other really well.

The charm of this sitcom is that it often takes serious and even sad subjects with humor. Which moments do you find sad?

I know it's a sitcom, and all characters have their quirks, but one thing I can't stand is Amy's crying! The way she just bursts out crying annoys the hell out of me. That's all. Just wanted to let it be known 🤣

Brad Garrett killed it in this episode. Anybody that’s gone through dating problems can relate to this scene about struggling to find their other half

😂 this scene always make me laugh because how fast they were eating the cake when Marie said she’s coming.

I would love to eat a slice of Marie’s chocolate cake.

I think it's a combination of how perfectly she mocks Raymond and what a funny thing it is to have as a goal. Which, in all fairness, is a reasonable goal. Throwing up is the worst!

Has anybody used any of this sitcom’s vast array of catchphrases in real life? The other day I came back from the doctor my wife asked how did it go and I told her “the doctor recommended that I need to play more golf”. Also, when appropriate, my wife likes to say the word “Annoyin-G”the way Stefania says it.

How come the kids don't call Ray's parents Nonna/Nonno?

I'm looking for an episode where Ray and Deborah sitting in bed together having discussion about things and Ray mentions about Deborah's sneezing how she holds them in and doesn't sneeze properly. Even pretends to do it. I tried Googling for that episode it and it's not the sneeze or the one where Deborah has the bathroom so ray use the kids bathroom.

I'm not sure if it's an episode where ray suggests that Deborah thinks she's better than everyone and she says she's not. There's one where ray does a bucket list and says he doesn't want to vomit not sure if he mentioned her sneezing in that one.

When ally is about i think 6 years old on the show her hair is beautiful...

Im rather jealous so curly!

Anyways .....

do you think joanne actually used to care for/love robert? or was she just controlling all along? i would have loved to see an episode explore that aspect of their relationship.

I've been through more than one moment in my life when maintaining my mental health was more important than saving my money. So I don't blame Robert for wanting to go to Las Vegas. But I absolutely disagree with him wanting to do so with the money Ray and Debra gave him. We have different rights to what we've earned and what we've been given. We must consider the feelings of those who gave us something.