Despite industry rumors that the series would soon voluntarily end its run and the cast members would go their separate ways, Everybody Loves Raymond confidently breezes into its seventh season with most of its previous "status" still "quo." Ray Barone (Ray Romano) remains a sportswriter; his wife, Debra (Patricia Heaton), continues to hold down a public-relations job; their three kids are getting older and more wisecracky; and the Barones are still living next door to Ray's insufferable parents, Frank (Peter Boyle) and Marie (Doris Roberts), who in turn continue to provide a home for Ray's neurotic policeman brother, Robert (Brad Garrett). This is the season in which the vacillating Robert finally proposes to his longtime -- and long-suffering -- sweetheart Amy (Monica Horan). She accepts, but Robert isn't quite out of the woods yet: he still has to win the approval of Amy's uptight parents, Hank (Fred Willard) and Pat (Georgia Engel) -- to say nothing of her loopy brother, Peter (Chris Elliott). Ultimately, however, most of the personality problems are ironed out, and the season ends with the much-anticipated wedding of Robert and Amy. Which, of course, is not to say that Ray Romano has suddenly taken a leave of absence from his own series. Among the many "Ray-related" episodes is the one in which Ray takes a dare to write a eulogy for his still-living dad, Frank; the one in which Ray has to rescue his dad from a shoplifting charge; the one where Ray is put out because his sportscaster pal Andy (Andy Kindler) won't book him on his new radio show; and the one which proves that Ray knows nothing about hosting bachelor parties -- at least not any more. Though Everybody Loves Raymond took a slight dip in the ratings during its seventh season, it still closed out the year as one of the nation's most-watched TV programs -- and the most popular sitcom on the air. And as in previous seasons, the series took home a number of Emmy awards, for Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Supporting Actor (Brad Garrett's second win), Outstanding Supporting Actress (Doris Roberts' third!), Outstanding Writing (Tucker Cawley), and a technical award for sound mixing. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
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