NEED TO KNOW
Ray Romano’s Everybody Loves Raymond debuted in September 1996 and ran for nine seasons, through May 2005
Kevin James’ The King of Queens also aired for nine seasons, from September 1998 through May 2007
During a recent podcast appearance, James admitted that he didn’t think sitcom fame was in the cards for either of them because of their comedy style
Kevin James was worried his friend Ray Romano wouldn’t find success on a sitcom.
The King of Queens alum, 60, appeared on a recent episode of the Sibling Revelry With Kate Hudson and Oliver Hudson podcast, where he talked about watching Romano navigate the early days of Everybody Loves Raymond before his own sitcom was even a thought.
“I couldn’t believe it, because he’s such a low-energy guy. Sitcom guys were, to me, like the big, wacky [characters]. I’m like this, this is death. It’s not gonna happen,” James admitted.
As it turned out, the show was a mega-hit, airing for nine seasons from 1996 to 2005. Years later, when The King of Queens debuted, Romano’s show was the blueprint for success.
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CBS via Getty
“Everybody Loves Raymond” cast: Doris Roberts (as Marie Barone), Peter Boyle (as Frank Barone), Ray Romano (as Ray Barone), Brad Garrett (as Robert Barone) and Patricia Heaton (as Debra Barone). Sawyer and Sullivan Sweeten twins (as Geoffrey and Michael Barone), Madylin Sweeten (as Ally Barone)
“The first few years of going with Ray — when our shows came out, we’d go to the CBS functions and things like that — red carpet things were so rough, because they knew him, but my show had just come out. So they’re taking a thousand pictures of Ray.” James, for his part, recalls “kind of standing there and nothing’s clicking.”
That said, James credited Romano for being a valuable resource, noting he “learned everything from Ray on how to do a sitcom.”
CBS via Getty Images
“The King of Queens” cast: Leah Remini (as Carrie Heffernan), Jerry Stiller (as Arthur Spooner), Kevin James (as Doug Heffernan)
“He was so good on his sitcom, and the way he threw things away, I was like, ‘Wow. I have to watch him and learn from him, because I’m gonna be too big on camera,'” he shared.
James even admitted that comparing the performances makes him look at some of his artistic decisions on King of Queens differently.
“So even in the King of Queens, when I see episodes now, I’m like, ‘Throw it away, kid. What are you doing?’ I’m like, ‘Gee whiz. I wish I could go back and redo it.’ “
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