Throughout the series when Ray comes home he calls Debra a different nickname. All of these were improvised by Ray Romano. Sometimes he would have to come up with as many as fifteen names depending on how many takes were required.

Peter Boyle claims that he was aided in getting the part of Frank Barone by events prior to his audition in New York City. He had gotten lost and couldn't find the location of the audition, so when he showed up, he was agitated and sarcastic.

Robert's habit of touching his food to his chin was inspired by Ray Romano's brother, who had the same quirky mannerism.

According to Ray Romano, Patricia Heaton got the part of Debra because "she was the only one willing to kiss me on the lips in the auditions".

Shares a universe with The Nanny (1993). Ray makes a guest appearance on her show, attending their high school reunion (the same high school mentioned in his own reunion episode, although the episodes did not air back to back). In real life, Ray Romano and Fran Drescher did attend school together.