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LIVE AT CARNEGIE HALL is not exactly groundbreaking stuff. It's basically the material that the sitcom "Everybody Love Raymond" is built on, and Ray is basically the same character as he is on the show. So, whether you will like LIVE AT CARNEGIE HALL can be gauged by whether you like "Everybody Loves Raymond."

In other words, this CD is not likely to win Ray any new fans, but is certain to please those who already are. My favorite bit is "Italian & Jewish" where Ray talks about how similar these two ethnic groups are. "They both have the neurotic mother who won't stop feeding you," Ray says.

This is Ray Romano doing his standard "I'm overwhelmed, confused, but full of good intentions" bit. He is the man who strives to hold on to the American dream of a wife, 2.5 children, and white picket fence, no matter how neurotic it makes him; I think it could be said that his entire act, in fact, is based on sharing that neurosis with his audience. He is sort of the Italian Jerry Seinfeld, but rather than pouring over the minutia of the daily life of the average single guy, he makes observations of the daily life of the average married guy. Like Jerry, Ray seems as if he has never truly grown up.

But Ray has something that Jerry doesn't have: that Kermit the Frog voice! In LIVE AT CARNEGIE HALL Ray Romano uses his odd nasal voice, colored by his New York accent, to perfection. This is really great material! At least, it's perfectly suited for the Ray Romano act, i.e., I don't think it would work on anyone else. On LIVE AT CARNEGIE HALL Ray is pretty much the same character he is on his TV show EVERYBODY LOVE RAYMOND. So, fans of the TV show will love this set.

Ray is hilarious. You gotta love Raymond. He is cleanwithout too much profanity. A family comic. The Bachelor Party, The Shower, Adult Movie and Sex are the only profanitys on there. The cuss words are all bleeped out, too, never fear. Ray is a good comic. He can make you laugh, not because the material is strange and unusual, but just everyday things. He does it so well that you can't help but laugh. DOn't even try and resit. He is up there with Bob Newhart and Jerry Seinfeld for sure. You can order this online, or it should be at a Wal-Mart near you.