30 Years Later, Robert's Best Everybody Loves Raymond Line Is Still CBS Sitcom's Sharpest

Published Sep 1, 2026, 10:01 AM EDT Liz Hersey is an Editor and Critic for ScreenRant's TV team, editing, reviewing, writing, and creating content about the iconic shows you love to watch. She began her editing career at ScreenRant in 2019, shortly after joining the site as a Writer that same year. With a passion for all things books, Liz frequently attends Toronto literary events and conferences, and loves interacting with her book lover community. In addition to being an avid reader of the romance and thriller genres, Liz is a writer of several short stories, and is currently at work on a young adult witch novel. When she's not working, reading, or writing, Liz can be found seeing movies at her local cinema, attending live jazz events, or curling up on the couch to binge her favorite TV shows. You can reach her at liz.h@screenrant.com. Sign in to your ScreenRant account The show may be called Everybody Loves Raymond, but Robert Barone has some of the show's best quotes. Played to comedic perfection by Brad Garrett, Robert Barone is the older police officer brother of the titular Ray (Ray Romano). In contrast to his imposing height and deep voice, Robert is defined by his insecurity and his misery at being constantly overlooked in favor of his younger sibling. With Garrett winning three Emmys for the role, Robert is truly one of the funniest characters in '90s sitcom history, with his "crazy chin" quirk of tapping his food to his chin before he eats it and his myriad complaints that everybody loves Raymond. In fact, the first time he iterates the title is in the show's pilot, and it remains one of Everybody Loves Raymond's best quotes. Robert's Line In Everybody Loves Raymond's Pilot Perfectly Represents The Show's Title It doesn't take long for Everybody Loves Raymond to establish not only the reason for its title but also Robert's character and how he feels about his brother. When he spots an award Ray won for his sports writing, Robert says, When did he get this? Never ends for Raymond. Everybody loves Raymond. I go to work, people shoot at me. Ray goes to work, people do the wave. Then he sits down, has a hot dog, doodles on a piece of paper, and they give him a trophy. Of course, Robert is intentionally exaggerating the cushiness of Ray's job and the adoration he receives, but it's obvious from Robert's choice of words that his resentment is longstanding. Being a sportswriter certainly has value, but it's considerably less dangerous than being a cop, yet Robert doesn't get nearly as much prestigious recognition. This outlook also extends to his mother's treatment of her younger son vs. her eldest. Marie (Doris Roberts) pampers Ray as if he were still a boy, and showers him with adulation for the slightest achievement, whereas the most Robert can hope for is the crumbs of her affection. Marie's love for her Ray is also a constant source of frustration for his wife, Debra (Patricia Heaton). In Marie's eyes, nobody is good enough for her baby boy, leading her to frequently point out Debra's shortcomings, particularly in the kitchen. Everybody may indeed love Raymond, including Robert and Debra, but there's no denying that Ray's golden child status fuels much of the sitcom's conflict — and its biggest laughs. Robert & Ray's Rivalry Is One Of Everybody Loves Raymond's Best Running Gags Not only does Robert and Ray's rivalry result in constant hilarious one-upmanship throughout the course of the show, but it informs Robert's character even when Ray isn't even in the scene. Robert's funniest catchphrase is, "Is this about me?" which he says whenever he walks into a room and the conversation stops, or there's obvious tension. If the mood is happy and upbeat, it must be about Raymond, so if it's the opposite, Robert is the de facto person to blame. Even Robert's chin quirk is a manifestation of his childhood anxiety at competing with Ray for his parents' affection. As funny as it is to see Robert inexplicably proven right about how easy Ray has it, Ray's reversals of fortune are just as entertaining. In one of Everybody Loves Raymond's best episodes, season 5, episode 6, "The Author," a publishing company rejects Ray's sports book while Robert gets a major promotion. Robert is always gleeful whenever Ray suffers the slightest misfortune, so he's absolutely giddy at such a drastic role reversal. Ray, who often downplays Robert's complaints about their luck disparity, is also incredibly funny in the unfamiliar territory of being the sad sack. Filmed Before a Live Studio Audience American SitcomTrivia Challenge ☕FriendsI’ll be there for you 💼TheOfficeThat’s what she said 🥣SeinfeldNo soup for you! 🏠ModernFamilyWe’re a family 🎥ClassicsGolden era CUE THE LAUGH TRACK → 01 For ten seasons, six friends gathered at a Manhattan coffee shop with a famously orange couch. The group — Ross, Rachel, Monica, Chandler, Joey, and Phoebe — made this spot their second living room. What is the name of this iconic café? AThe Coffee Bean BMacLaren’s Pub CMonk’s Café DCentral Perk ✓ Correct! Central Perk is the coffee shop where the Friends gang spent most of their free time. With its iconic orange couch and Gunther behind the counter pining for Rachel, it became one of the most recognizable fictional locations in TV history. ✗ Cue the sad trombone! The answer is Central Perk. MacLaren’s Pub is from How I Met Your Mother, Monk’s Café is from Seinfeld, and The Coffee Bean is a real chain. Central Perk is where Phoebe played “Smelly Cat” and six friends became family. NEXT → 02 The American version of The Office follows the employees of Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton branch, led by their well-meaning but painfully awkward regional manager. Which actor played the beloved Michael Scott? ASteve Carell BRainn Wilson CEd Helms DRicky Gervais ✓ Correct! Steve Carell turned Michael Scott into one of the most iconic sitcom characters ever. His mix of cringe-worthy humor and surprising heart anchored The Office for seven seasons. “That’s what she said” became an inescapable pop culture catchphrase. ✗ Cue the sad trombone! The answer is Steve Carell. Rainn Wilson played Dwight Schrute, Ed Helms was Andy Bernard, and Ricky Gervais created the original British version and played David Brent. Carell’s Michael Scott is the heart and soul of the American Office. NEXT → 03 Often called “the show about nothing,” this groundbreaking 1990s sitcom followed a fictionalized version of a stand-up comedian and his three friends in New York City as they obsessed over life’s minor annoyances. Which show is it? AFrasier BEverybody Loves Raymond CSeinfeld DCurb Your Enthusiasm ✓ Correct! Seinfeld (1989–1998), created by Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David, revolutionized the sitcom with its observational humor about everyday life. From “The Contest” to “No soup for you!”, it produced some of the most quoted moments in TV history. ✗ Cue the sad trombone! The answer is Seinfeld. Frasier was a Cheers spin-off, Everybody Loves Raymond focused on family dynamics, and Curb Your Enthusiasm is Larry David’s later show (which is essentially a spiritual sequel). Seinfeld is the original “show about nothing.” NEXT → 04 In this CBS sitcom, a father in the year 2030 tells his children the winding, years-long story of how he met their mother. Along the way, audiences meet Barney Stinson, whose catchphrase “Legen — wait for it — dary!” became iconic. Which show is this? ANew Girl BHow I Met Your Mother CHappy Endings DThe Big Bang Theory ✓ Correct! How I Met Your Mother (2005–2014) starred Josh Radnor as Ted Mosby and Neil Patrick Harris as the suit-obsessed Barney Stinson. The show’s creative framing device and running gags made it a 2000s staple — though its controversial finale still divides fans. ✗ Cue the sad trombone! The answer is How I Met Your Mother. New Girl featured Jess and the loft gang, Happy Endings was a short-lived cult favorite, and The Big Bang Theory focused on Pasadena physicists. Only HIMYM gave us Barney’s Playbook and the blue French horn. NEXT → 05 Modern Family ran for 11 seasons on ABC, following three interconnected families. One fan-favorite character is a goofy, magic-loving real estate agent married to Claire Pritchett, played by Ty Burrell. What is this character’s name? AJay Pritchett BCameron Tucker CManny Delgado DPhil Dunphy ✓ Correct! Phil Dunphy, the self-proclaimed “cool dad,” is Modern Family’s lovable goofball. Ty Burrell won two Emmy Awards for the role. Phil’s terrible magic tricks, his book of “Phil’s-osophy” wisdom, and his devotion to Claire made him a modern sitcom icon. ✗ Cue the sad trombone! The answer is Phil Dunphy. Jay Pritchett is the family patriarch played by Ed O’Neill, Cameron Tucker is Mitchell’s partner played by Eric Stonestreet, and Manny Delgado is Gloria’s son. Phil is the magic-loving, “cool dad” real estate agent. NEXT → 06 This 1980s sitcom is set in a Boston bar “where everybody knows your name.” It starred Ted Danson as an ex-baseball player turned bartender and ran for 11 seasons, spawning the spin-off Frasier. Which classic sitcom is this? ACheers BTaxi CNight Court DWings ✓ Correct! Cheers (1982–1993) is one of the most beloved sitcoms ever made. Ted Danson’s Sam Malone, Shelley Long and Kirstie Alley as his love interests, and a legendary ensemble made it a ratings juggernaut. Its finale was watched by over 80 million viewers. ✗ Cue the sad trombone! The answer is Cheers. Taxi was a late-70s/early-80s sitcom, Night Court was set in a courtroom, and Wings was actually created by Cheers writers but set at an airport. Only Cheers gave us Sam and Diane, Norm’s barstool, and one of TV’s all-time great theme songs. NEXT → 07 Andy Samberg stars as a childish but brilliant detective in this comedy set in a New York City police precinct. The show was saved by NBC after Fox cancelled it, thanks to a massive fan campaign. Which sitcom is this? AParks and Recreation BScrubs CBrooklyn Nine-Nine DSuperstore ✓ Correct! Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013–2021) starred Andy Samberg as Detective Jake Peralta alongside Andre Braugher’s scene-stealing Captain Holt. When Fox cancelled it in 2018, fan outrage was so loud that NBC picked it up within 24 hours for three more seasons. ✗ Cue the sad trombone! The answer is Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Parks and Recreation was set in Pawnee’s government offices, Scrubs took place in a hospital, and Superstore was set in a big-box retailer. Only B99 featured the 99th Precinct and the legendary Jake-Holt dynamic. NEXT → 08 In this beloved 1990s NBC sitcom, a street-smart teenager from West Philadelphia is sent to live with his wealthy aunt and uncle in Bel-Air. The show launched its star into global superstardom. Who played the titular Fresh Prince? AMartin Lawrence BWill Smith CEddie Murphy DJamie Foxx ✓ Correct! Will Smith played a fictionalized version of himself in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990–1996). The show’s theme song is one of the most recognizable in TV history, and the series launched Smith’s career from rapper to one of the biggest movie stars in the world. ✗ Cue the sad trombone! The answer is Will Smith. Martin Lawrence had his own show Martin, Eddie Murphy was already a film star, and Jamie Foxx had The Jamie Foxx Show. Only Will Smith flipped his life upside down and moved to Bel-Air to become the Fresh Prince. REVEAL MY SCORE → Season Finale Your Laugh Track Record / 8 Are you a showrunner — or still binge-watching reruns on the couch? ↻ RERUN Everybody Loves Raymond works so well because the characters live an exaggerated version of real-life, unglamorous family scenarios, whether that's intrusive in-laws or one-sided sibling rivalry. Not all viewers can relate to Robert's chin compulsion, but many of us understand exactly where he's coming from when he bemoans, "Everybody loves Raymond." Release Date 1996 - 2005-00-00 Network CBS Showrunner Phil Rosenthal Cast Patricia Heaton Debra Barone Directors Gary Halvorson, Will Mackenzie, Jerry Zaks, Kenneth Shapiro, Steve Zuckerman, Jeff Meyer, Michael Lembeck, Brian K. Roberts, John Fortenberry, Michael Zinberg, Jeff Melman, Ken Levine, Alan Kirschenbaum, Andy Ackerman, Asaad Kelada, Michael Lessac, Paul Lazarus, David Clark Lee, Rod Daniel, Wil Shriner Writers Jason Gelles, Bruce Kirschbaum, Eric Cohen, Jay Kogen, Kevin James, Scott Buck Creator(s) Phil Rosenthal