re: A defense of Everybody Loves Raymond

I picked up a book Phil Rosenthal (I think it was his "You're Lucky You're Funny" book) from the bargain bin last year. It was an interesting read - there were a lot of stories from the Raymond show and other tidbits from his life and time working on the Roseanne show.

Some of the funniest bits from teh show were taken from his real life. The engraved toaster that his parents returned? That happened. His parents flipping out over the fruit of the month club? ("What are we going to do with all this fruit?) That happened.

And I had to put down the book for a minute because I was laughing too hard at one point. His parents (Rosenthal's IRL) were giving him a hard time about something or another on the phone and he just snapped. He goes on a couple minute tirade about how he's an emotional wreck and all the crazy things that are in the greatness that was the Raymond show were based on how whacked out the two of them are. His father takes all of this in as the phone is quiet for a moment and then he replies "You're welcome"