CBS hasn’t yet recovered from the end of The Big Bang Theory in 2019. Is reviving the comedy along with the 1996 hit Everybody Loves Raymond the only way to be back on the rating charts?
Two of the best American sitcoms ever made were given to us by CBS –Everybody Loves Raymond and The Big Bang Theory. Both had humble beginnings and ended with explosive ratings, being ranked as two of the best comedies of all time. TV Guide ranked Everybody Loves Raymond number 60 and The Big Bang Theory as number 52 on its list of “60 Best Series of All Time” in 2013.
Highlights —
- The side-splitting Barone household in Everybody Loves Raymond
- The humorous group of scientists in The Big Bang Theory
- Does CBS need its two best sitcoms to re-enter the ratings dome?
The former went on for nine seasons between 1996 and 2005 while the latter ran for a span of 11 seasons between 2007 and 2019.They made their network massive profits and achieved feats that very few shows had before them. However, ever since The Big Bang Theory was concluded last year, CBS hasn’t really seen massive ratings. Does this mean that it needs to reboot its former sitcoms to get back in the ratings game?
The side-splitting Barone household in Everybody Loves Raymond
It is still considered one of the most hilarious shows ever created. With writer and producer Philip Rosenthal serving as the showrunner, the series revolved around an Italian-American man, Raymond “Ray” Barone (Ray Romano) who often found himself in the middle of family conflicts as he tried to dodge taking a stand for his wife, Debra (Patricia Heaton), in front of his over-bearing mother, Marie(Doris Roberts).
The series also featured Ray’s 6 feet 8.5 inches tall brother Robert Barone (Brad Garrett), who was always equally helpless in front of their mother, and their father, Francis (Peter Boyle), who would consistently mock Ray for his inability to handle his own domestic issues. He was the only Barone who was unfazed by Marie.
Over its nine seasons, the series saw outstanding ratings and was classified as one of the best television shows by multiple media outlets, including Complex, Hollywood Reporter and Rolling Stones. Its finale was watched by 32.94 million viewers and is one of the most successful final episodes till date.
The humorous group of scientists in The Big Bang Theory
One of the biggest shows CBS ever produced was helmed by the ‘King of Sitcoms’, Chuck Lorre, and called The Big Bang Theory. No one had ever imagined that the show would eventually become an integral part of our pop culture when it first aired in 2007. It followed four socially awkward scientists, whose lives changed when the young and pretty Penny came into their lives. It was an entertaining situational comedy in a backdrop of science.
The series gave a new meaning to intelligent comedies and made icons out of its previously little-known cast. It opened to moderate viewership of around 7 million viewers with its first season and almost touched the 19 million mark with its final season.
The Big Bang Theory made nerd culture mainstream and created a huge cultural impact during its 11-season run. It also spawned a spin-off, Young Sheldon, which is currently the most-watched comedy on CBS.
A ‘Big Bang’ Update (Quiz)
Does CBS need its two best sitcoms to re-enter the ratings domain?
Honestly, there is no right answer to this. Undoubtedly, the two sitcoms gave CBS some of its best content and proved to be widely successful, but rebooting them both will not be a piece of cake. The Big Bang Theory ended only last year, and its cast members have already taken up new projects. Everybody Loves Raymond, being older, has also lost some of its artists over the years.
Also, rebooting these shows with a new cast does not guarantee success. One cannot predict how the audience will respond to the revivals that had near-perfect endings. Both ended on a high note and some might say that it is best to leave them untouched.
There might be a difference in opinion on this amongst fans, but the harsh truth today is CBS hasn’t really been able to reach the ratings it did with these two comedies. It desperately needs to create something exceptional to top its already high standards.
Which of the two sitcoms did you like better? Would you like to watch the two shows get their own reboots? Tell us what you think in the comments section below.
