'Raymond' Signs Deal for Final Season - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Janice · 05-17-2004, 12:04 AM

http://apnews.excite.com/article/200...D82K2ICO0.html

'Raymond' Signs Deal for Final Season

NEW YORK (AP) - Three days before announcing its fall schedule, CBS sealed a deal Sunday to bring the Emmy-winning comedy "Everybody Loves Raymond" back for a ninth and final season.

Producer and star Ray Romano agreed to a shortened season with 16 new episodes. Most television shows make about 22 episodes a year.

"I look forward to being a hapless, sexless husband again in year nine," Romano said.

The Monday night comedy featuring Romano and his dysfunctional family won the 2003 Emmy for best comedy. The additional year was widely expected. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Romano reportedly made about $1.8 million per episode this season. Brad Garrett, who plays Romano's brother in the series, held out for more money before filming started for this season. The other cast members, Patricia Heaton, Peter Boyle and Doris Roberts also reached new deals for more money with the network last summer.

With "Friends,""Frasier" and "Sex and the City" all calling it quits this season, the deal gives "Everybody Loves Raymond" a victory lap where it won't be overshadowed by other comedies. "Raymond" also will be the highest-rated returning sitcom, a program genre in need of a transfusion of new talent.

Executive producer Phil Rosenthal said it was important to maintain quality and make sure the show had not overstayed its welcome.

"Emotionally, we never want the show to end, but everything must," Rosenthal said. "We look forward to these remaining episodes as a few encores and a few more meals with our staff."

He and Romano realized they had more stories to tell, he said.

Romano, in a 2001 interview with The Associated Press, said he recalls sitcoms that overstayed their welcomes and had sour last years that spoiled memories of the show.

"Of course, they'll try to persuade me (to stay) with another reason, called money," Romano said. "They'll back up the truck, my wife is going to see it, and she's going to drive me to work."

This week, broadcast networks announce their fall schedules in a series of presentations to advertisers, who will then decide to buy about $9 billion worth of commercials. CBS announces its schedule on Wednesday.

FamilyTiesGOP · 05-17-2004, 10:16 AM

I'm glad. I always thought it was dumb to leave the show when it is still good. I would have done one more year to avoid the Friends, Frasier parade on NBC myself.

EmoJoe · 05-18-2004, 12:16 PM

Nine seasons! Wow thats a lot. Ill try to watch the ninth season. I havent been watching the eights season lately.

Brian Damage · 05-20-2004, 11:14 AM

good news, this show deserves a swan song.

Vicki L. · 05-20-2004, 01:12 PM

I agree the show was good and it's great that it will make it to a ninth and final season.

Chocoholic · 05-20-2004, 01:29 PM

I'll watch the finale, although I personally think they should have called it quits at least 2-3 years ago. I can't even watch anymore.

globalspot28 · 06-30-2004, 05:00 PM

I hate the time slot, I usually watch the show on reruns.

EmoJoe · 07-01-2004, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by globalspot28
I usually watch the show on reruns.

Ditto

ricardo/mertz · 07-02-2004, 07:33 AM

Wow! Nine years. It is hard to believe.I'll be sad to see it go. It is one of my favorites. I'm glad they are hanging on for one more year. Because the with Friends and Fasier gone I'm sure I'm gonna go through some sort of shock when the fall shows start and Fand F aren't there.lol this way I am eased into the transition. They are messing with my world here!LOL

05-17-2004, 12:04 AM	#1
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	'Raymond' Signs Deal for Final Season http://apnews.excite.com/article/200...D82K2ICO0.html 'Raymond' Signs Deal for Final Season NEW YORK (AP) - Three days before announcing its fall schedule, CBS sealed a deal Sunday to bring the Emmy-winning comedy "Everybody Loves Raymond" back for a ninth and final season. Producer and star Ray Romano agreed to a shortened season with 16 new episodes. Most television shows make about 22 episodes a year. "I look forward to being a hapless, sexless husband again in year nine," Romano said. The Monday night comedy featuring Romano and his dysfunctional family won the 2003 Emmy for best comedy. The additional year was widely expected. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Romano reportedly made about $1.8 million per episode this season. Brad Garrett, who plays Romano's brother in the series, held out for more money before filming started for this season. The other cast members, Patricia Heaton, Peter Boyle and Doris Roberts also reached new deals for more money with the network last summer. With "Friends,""Frasier" and "Sex and the City" all calling it quits this season, the deal gives "Everybody Loves Raymond" a victory lap where it won't be overshadowed by other comedies. "Raymond" also will be the highest-rated returning sitcom, a program genre in need of a transfusion of new talent. Executive producer Phil Rosenthal said it was important to maintain quality and make sure the show had not overstayed its welcome. "Emotionally, we never want the show to end, but everything must," Rosenthal said. "We look forward to these remaining episodes as a few encores and a few more meals with our staff." He and Romano realized they had more stories to tell, he said. Romano, in a 2001 interview with The Associated Press, said he recalls sitcoms that overstayed their welcomes and had sour last years that spoiled memories of the show. "Of course, they'll try to persuade me (to stay) with another reason, called money," Romano said. "They'll back up the truck, my wife is going to see it, and she's going to drive me to work." This week, broadcast networks announce their fall schedules in a series of presentations to advertisers, who will then decide to buy about $9 billion worth of commercials. CBS announces its schedule on Wednesday.

05-18-2004, 12:16 PM	#3
EmoJoe Cool cool cool Forum Addict Join Date: Apr 23, 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 71,478	Nine seasons! Wow thats a lot. Ill try to watch the ninth season. I havent been watching the eights season lately.
	__________________ "I know the difference between TV and reality, Jeff. TV has structure, it makes sense, there are likable leading men. In real life, we have this. We have you." - Abed Nadir, Community www.sitcomsarestupid.blogspot.com

06-30-2004, 05:00 PM	#7
globalspot28 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 17, 2004 Posts: 168	I hate the time slot, I usually watch the show on reruns.
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07-02-2004, 07:33 AM	#9
ricardo/mertz Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 22, 2002 Posts: 454	Wow! Nine years. It is hard to believe.I'll be sad to see it go. It is one of my favorites. I'm glad they are hanging on for one more year. Because the with Friends and Fasier gone I'm sure I'm gonna go through some sort of shock when the fall shows start and Fand F aren't there.lol this way I am eased into the transition. They are messing with my world here!LOL
	__________________ http://www.mortysmall.com/lucy/i_lov...color_cast.jpg

05-17-2004, 10:16 AM	#2
FamilyTiesGOP _ Senior Member Join Date: Oct 28, 2003 Posts: 1,631	I'm glad. I always thought it was dumb to leave the show when it is still good. I would have done one more year to avoid the Friends, Frasier parade on NBC myself.

05-20-2004, 11:14 AM	#4
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	good news, this show deserves a swan song.

05-20-2004, 01:12 PM	#5
Vicki L. Member Frequent Poster Join Date: May 18, 2004 Posts: 158	I agree the show was good and it's great that it will make it to a ninth and final season.

05-20-2004, 01:29 PM	#6
Chocoholic Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 01, 2000 Location: Between a rock and a hard place. Posts: 11,235	I'll watch the finale, although I personally think they should have called it quits at least 2-3 years ago. I can't even watch anymore.