Ray Romano didn't love the name Everybody Loves Raymond. In fact, the star of the show tried to get it changed before the program ever aired.
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Tom Caltabiano, a writer and producer on the CBS sitcom, said Romano was deeply uncomfortable with the title in the early days. Speaking at the Paley Center's 30th-anniversary exhibit for the series on June 16, Caltabiano told the New York Post that Romano feared the name would come back to haunt him.
"Ray in real life is a modest guy," Caltabiano said. "He was worried. He thought, 'Everybody loves Ray --what if the show stinks?' He didn't want to give critics an easy punchline."
Romano, now 67, pushed hard to change the title. Caltabiano recalled that the comedian called both Late Show host David Letterman and the president of CBS to make his case. The executive response was diplomatic but firm: If the show became a hit, they'd consider changing it.
"But once it was a hit," Caltabiano said, "the president told him, 'Well, we can't change it now.'"
Star Suggestions Revealed
The Paley Center exhibit, running through September 7, showcases several early working titles Romano had pitched. Handwritten suggestions from the comedian include "Guy Named Ray," "Regarding Raymond," and a simple "Ray."
Though he tried to rename it, Romano went on to star in the series for nine seasons from 1996 to 2005. Everybody Loves Raymond became both a ratings success and a critical favorite, winning multiple Emmy Awards.
Stand-Up Act Becomes Sitcom
Romano shared more insight at the Paley Center event in an interview with People. Before the sitcom, he spent over a decade working the stand-up circuit and supporting a growing family. Though passionate about comedy, he didn't expect much more from his career.
"There was a time I thought, 'If there's another level, maybe it's now,'" he said. "But nothing was really happening, and I had accepted that."
Then came a career-changing moment. After a 1995 stand-up set on The Late Show with David Letterman, Romano landed a development deal with CBS. That spot launched Everybody Loves Raymond and changed everything.
"It changed my life," Romano said. "It changed my family's life. I made such great friends. It changed my career."
