Everybody Loves Raymond enjoyed a life that other sitcoms can only dream of. The series ran for nine years, and during that time, it was the favorite of critics and audiences everywhere. By the time the series ended in 2005, the cast had become more than just co-stars; they became a family.

“There’s so much I’m going to miss,” said series star Ray Romano during an interview with The Sioux City Journal. “I really get a big kick out of the table read. We usually have them on Monday, and it’s fun to just know you’re going to be doing a new 22-minute play. You get to sit there and not worry about the blocking or anything, and we just get to read it out loud. Then, the table read is over, and it’s work until we get it in front of the live audience, and it becomes a lot of fun again.”

As both an actor and a writer, Romano had the privilege of working in front of and behind the camera. “I’m going to miss the cast and the writers,” said the actor. “I’ve been lucky enough to be in the writing room and I’ve never laughed as much in my whole life as the time I’ve spent with these guys.”

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Romano acknowledged that finishing the series would undoubtedly be “traumatic.” For nine years, the series had consumed his entire life, personally and professionally.

“Every bit of energy, creatively, that I’ve had the last nine years has been in this show,” said Romano. Even when you’re off on hiatus, you think about the show. It’s a landmark in my life. When that final episode airs, I don’t know how I’ll feel.”