Everybody Loves Raymond is one of those shows I didn't want to like. When it first came on the air it seemed to be about things that I couldn't possibly relate to: parenthood, sports, suburbia and having an overbearing mother. Then I started to hear rumblings here and there—my smart, cultured friends were watching it, all of the smart, cultured critics were talking about it and even my father (smart, cultured and notoriously curmudgeonly, especially about popular culture) said he thought it was a "good, really funny show!" What's a girl to do? I tuned in and found myself laughing out loud within minutes. I became a fan of Ray Romano, Brad Garrett and the whole crew (especially the indispensable late, great Peter Boyle!) and never turned back. Romano and Garrett are at the Nokia Theatre this Thursday doing stand-up. I have to confess, I have never seen either of these guys do stand-up, but if Garrett's brilliantly inappropriate quips on Bravo's Celebrity Poker Showdown are any indication, this will be a hell of a show. Showtime is 8 p.m.; Jon Manfrellotti opens. Tickets are $65 to $85. Call 214-373-8000 or visit ticketmaster.com.
Thu., April 10, 8 p.m., 2008