Ray Romano (L) and show's cast

Everybody loves Raymond… in Israel

Reshet orders 33 episodes of Israeli version of Emmy-winning series. New version of show to be created for Poland too

Reuters | Published: 04.10.11, 09:32

Phil Rosenthal, creator and executive producer of the Emmy-winning series, "Everybody Loves Raymond," has signed a deal to create two new versions of the show in Israel and in Poland.

Sony Pictures Television announced that Rosenthal would be at the helm of the development, after Poland's TVN ordered 30 episodes and Israel's Reshet agreed to 33 episodes.

“We’re thrilled to extend our successful track record of producing quality local language scripted programs with the universally themed and universally funny 'Everybody Loves Raymond'.

"With the expertise of our producers and the talented local producers joining forces, we’re certain viewers in Poland and Israel will soon love 'Raymond' as much as we do,” said Jeff Lerner, the senior vice president of international development and production at Sony.

The deal comes after the phenomenal success of the show’s Russian version, known as "The Voronins", where it is the most successful comedy on television. Rosenthal recently made a documentary called "Exporting Raymond", chronicling his adventures of adapting the hit American sitcom for a Russian audience. "Exporting Raymond" will be in wide theatrical release on April 29.

"Everybody Loves Raymond" ran from September 1996 to May 2005 on CBS. Many of the show’s situations were based upon real-life experiences of both Rosenthal and actor/comedian Ray Romano.

In its nine-year tenure on television, "Everybody Loves Raymond" received 13 Emmy Awards and more than 40 nominations.