Exhibit Celebrates “Everybody Loves Raymond”

Photography holds a special place in our hearts.

The Paley Center for Media in Manhattan is currently showcasing “Everybody Loves Raymond,” featuring an array of classic television memorabilia, including costumes, props, and around 300 photos.

“I think almost all the behind-the-scenes photos were taken by me. It’s probably the most documented TV show ever,” series writer and executive producer Tom Caltabiano shared in an exclusive conversation.

“I met Ray Romano back in 1989. I took tons of photos of him as we traveled together. And then when he got famous—while I was working on ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’—I kept snapping pictures, but it was all pretty unofficial.”

The show aired on CBS for nine seasons from 1996 to 2005, centering around Ray Barone (Romano), a sportswriter navigating family life on Long Island. His on-screen wife was portrayed by Patricia Heaton, with Brad Garrett as his brother Robert and Doris Roberts and Peter Boyle playing their parents.

By the end of its run, Cartaviano had amassed around 30,000 photos, with the exhibition featuring only a fraction.

He noted that writers don’t usually stay for the entire series, which contributed to the show being so well-documented.

The exhibition is open until September 7. Visitors can see props like Robert’s police uniform and a fictional family toaster.

Guests are also invited to snap photos on the show’s iconic couch. Jason Lynch, the curator, mentioned that this was done to create a sense of connection for fans, allowing them to feel part of the family portrayed on screen.

For Cartaviano, cataloging props and costumes hasn’t been too challenging. “The crew was quite tight-knit and personal, so we happened to have a lot of material present,” Lynch said.

Romano’s manager kept many items from the production, including the toaster and coffee canister, but it was surprising how scattered everything was across the country.

Cartaviano managed to save several materials from being discarded at the show’s conclusion. “When the series wrapped, wardrobe determined whether the polaroids of actors were worth keeping, and many ended up in the trash. I thought, ‘Imagine if these were from something like ‘I Love Lucy’? I had to preserve as much as I could,” he recalled.

The exhibit also showcases a display with alternative titles for the show, such as “Raymond Guy” and “Oh, Raymond.” Cartaviano noted that Ray had some reservations about the show’s name, worried it would affect its reception.

Interestingly, Romano’s real-life brother was a police officer. Romano often joked about the difference between being shot at and making people laugh, which eventually shaped the series’ narrative.

Cartaviano reflects on the making of the show, sharing how Romano once humorously reached out to CBS, questioning the show’s title after it gained popularity.

When discussing the prospect of a reboot or reunion, Cartaviano mentioned the possibility of a show where they’d gather and discuss classic moments—though he remained cautious, saying, “Never say never.”