With the death of actress Doris Roberts still fresh in everyone’s minds, the decision has been made to cancel the planned Everybody Loves Raymond panel set for this year’s ATX Television Festival in Texas.
We're very sorry to announce we won't be hosting #EverybodyLovesRaymond this year. Many factors made this not the right time. @PhilRosenthal
— ATX TV Festival (@ATXFestival) April 21, 2016
Citing “many factors” as the reason for the scrapped event, it’s not entirely unexpected that the scheduled event would be shelved. Deadline notes that “scheduling conflicts” may have also have contributed to the panel not going ahead as planned. It was meant to coincide with the 1996 debut of the smash CBS sitcom and feature cast and producers reflecting on Raymond‘s 20th anniversary.
Roberts, who earned multiple Emmy awards for her work playing Barone matriarch Marie, would not be the only person missed from the original cast. Peter Boyle (Frank Barone) died in 2006 at age 71 and Sawyer Sweeten (one of the twins that played Geoffrey Barone) committed suicide last year one month before his 20th birthday.
Everybody Loves Raymond creator Phil Rosenthal shared a picture on Twitter this morning showcasing show alumni (including those behind-the-scenes) paying tribute to Roberts’ memory. “Last night some old friends got together to raise a glass, and a plate of pasta, to #DorisRoberts. Lots of love.” read the sweet message.
Last night some old friends got together to raise a glass, and a plate of pasta, to #DorisRoberts. Lots of love. pic.twitter.com/NpNFEPhjMx
— Phil Rosenthal (@PhilRosenthal) April 21, 2016
(Via Deadline)
