Despite the success of Everybody Loves Raymond, the titular actor never actually enjoyed his name in the title of the popular sitcom.

“I’ve never warmed to it,” said Romano during an interview with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “I still wish we could go back in time and change it.“ Despite his dislike of the title, Romano was deeply grateful to have had the opportunity to star in a program as well-received as Everybody Loves Raymond. The sitcom, which depicted the daily lives of the Barone family, was widely regarded as a classic by television fans everywhere. Series creator Phil Rosenthal admitted that many plots depicted on the series were borrowed from the personal lives of various writers. “That seemed like real life to us,” said Rosenthal. “We were only taking notes from what was happening in our houses.”

Both cast and crew alike grew closer throughout filming, eventually forming their own version of a family. By the time filming for the final episode began, the stars of the series were thoroughly wrecked.

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“Patty [Heaton] was emotional the whole week of rehearsals,” said Romano. “She started crying at the table read.” Romano.

Heaton wasn’t alone in her sadness. After nine years, Everybody Loves Raymond had become an institution in Romano’s life. While he knew it was time for the series to end, he wasn’t necessarily prepared for its loss.

“At the final episode, everyone was in some kind of shock,” said Romano.