Everbody's Favorite Comedy Bids Farewell Tonight

After almost a decade and 209 episodes, "Everybody Loves Raymond" fans must prematurely say goodbye to their favorite sitcom tonight at 9 p.m. when the final show airs on CBS. Back in 1996, when Phil Rosenthal created the show, it was uncertain how audiences would take to it. Several months into it, take they did- the series attracted millions of viewers who watched the show every Monday night ritualistically. The show's plot is rather simple but realistic - a typical married couple (played by Ray Romano and Patricia Heaton) who bicker incessantly and their interactions with the husband's meddling parents (Doris Roberts and Peter Boyle) who live across the street and deadbeat brother (Brad Garrett). "We have something far more valuable in every way, something of lasting value, something you might watch with your grandkids," Rosenthal said during production of one of the final episodes. "Everybody Loves Raymond" made everybody, even on-occasion viewers crack up, and its exit from television will definitely show.