Heaton, Garrett No-Shows At First Table Read Of Season - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

AKA · 08-13-2003, 08:22 PM

Not Everybody Loves "Raymond"

by Lia Haberman
E! Online

Have cast members lost that lovin' feeling for Ray Barone?

Production on the eighth season of Everybody Loves Raymond started Monday with two actors MIA from the first table read.

Patricia Heaton called in sick, according to CBS, while Brad Garrett stayed away because his character, Robert Barone, isn't scheduled to appear in the season's first episode.

But the situation is a lot stickier than it seems.

Sources say Garrett issued an ultimatum to the Eye network a few weeks ago, demanding a salary hike before he returned to work. The move came on the heels of his Emmy nomination and comments from CBS head honcho Les Moonves about a possible Robert Barone spinoff series.

CBS, in turn, has temporarily written Garrett's character--whose wedding was the focus of last season's final epiosde--out of the series.

The thesp, who's under contract through 2004, pulls in between $150,000 and $200,000 per episode, less than any of the other regular cast members.

It's unknown how much of an increase Garrett is looking for but it's expected to be a significant boost--onscreen sibling Ray Romano recently inked a deal that will pay him $50 million for the upcoming season.

In a statement, Garrett's representatives said, "CBS elected to make a one-year deal with Ray Romano making him the highest-paid sitcom actor ever. Ray deserves every penny, plus the profits he will earn. At the same time, despite our repeated attempts to dicuss Brad's salary over the past seven months, CBS has refused to talk to us.

"Brad earns less than 10 percent of Ray's salary and is the lowest paid member of a grossly underpaid supporting cast," the statement continues. "All Brad wants is compensation commensurate with what other similarly situated actors have made in the past and are making today."

As such, Garrett has retained show-biz attorney Michael Gendler, who's negotiated Tinseltown deals for the likes of David E. Kelley and Rob Marshall, to go to bat for him.

In response, the network and producers reportedly decided against including Garrett in the September 22 premiere to avoid costly delays. Garrett's camp say he won't rejoin the dysfunctional family sitcom until he settles his salary spat.

"Brad Garrett is an enormously talented actor whom we hold in the highest regard," CBS said in a statement. "It's unfortunate that he is not honoring his contract." A network source also says Garrett's contract has been renegotiated two times in the past four years.

No immediate word on whether CBS will file a breach-of-contract suit against the actor, who won an Emmy last year for his supporting work on Raymond and is nominated again this year.

Due to the absences, CBS has pushed the table read back to Wednesday and rescheduled shooting to begin Friday, a day later than originally anticipated.

It's not known if Heaton, who was also MIA Tuesday, will be back at work by the end of the week, but both her reps and CBS insist she is really ill. While Mrs. Barone isn't looking for a raise, she and costars Doris Roberts and Peter Boyle have a vested interest in seeing the series extended for a ninth season--something Romano and producer Phil Rosenthal have hinted against.

Unlike Romano and Garrett who are only under contract for the upcoming season, Heaton, Roberts and Doyle are all signed through 2006, with hefty pay hikes for that ninth season. Since they stand to lose a lot of money if the show doesn't return, the thesps are expected to pressure CBS for some sort of guarantee that they'd be compensated if a ninth season is nixed.

Janice · 08-15-2003, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by AKA
"Brad earns less than 10 percent of Ray's salary and is the lowest paid member of a grossly underpaid supporting cast," the statement continues. "All Brad wants is compensation commensurate with what other similarly situated actors have made in the past and are making today."

Give this man what he's worth. I think the show would sink and stink without him.

Brian Damage · 08-15-2003, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Janice
Give this man what he's worth. I think the show would sink and stink without him.

I agree, Brad Garrett is hilarious on ELR and deserves to be paid accordingly.

dlemond · 08-15-2003, 11:59 AM

Brad Garrett deserves a HUGE raise, just to make up for all the other seasons that he was grossly underpaid.

Just think of how many great episodes revolved around Robert or at least had him right in the middle of it.

Garrett is responsible for providing AT LEAST 1/4 of all the laughs on the show and there is no way it would have survived to this day without him.

Irishcoda · 08-16-2003, 07:09 PM

Geesh! I think Brad Garrett is funnier than Ray Romano.

Rita Lawsons Boy · 08-18-2003, 01:24 AM

I agree I think Robert as a character is a riot. I hope everything works out cuz Raymond is one of my favorite shows ever.

dlemond · 08-18-2003, 11:02 AM

By the way, A Robert Barone spin-off series sounds great. If they make a few good supporting characters it would work.

I don't know how they would explain that Robert doesn't see his parents at least every other day though (unless it's explained he sees them offscreen- plus guest appearances).

Superbatboy · 08-19-2003, 02:14 AM

It's sad that Brad is the funniest actor on the show, and the least paid. You'd think Ray Romano would help him out a bit and fight for him.

TJL · 08-19-2003, 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Superbatboy
You'd think Ray Romano would help him out a bit and fight for him.

Yeah. It's Ray's show, CBS kisses his butt, he should step in and tell them to settle this right now.

When these actors sign a long term contract, they really are put in a tough spot; if the show is a hit, the network rakes in big bucks, the producers and creators cash in if the show makes a huge syndication deal, other co-stars get raises because they have different contracts, and you'll be written out of the show if you complain.

The funniest thing is the network's belief that writing out Garrett's character will not hurt the show. Yeah, right.

dlemond · 08-19-2003, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by TJL
The funniest thing is the network's belief that writing out Garrett's character will not hurt the show. Yeah, right.

If Garrett is not on this season, I will not watch ELR.

It's as simple as that.

Chocoholic · 08-19-2003, 01:01 PM

They should give him a raise. He's the only one on the show I still find funny.

I'd also love to see a Robert spin-off, with different characters of course.

bb25 · 08-25-2003, 02:09 AM

Ray Romano's getting $50 million this season??? That is absolutely ridiculous! He has very little talent and just isn't a good actor IMO...I'm sorry, but he's not worth $50 million...it's just ludicrous...I used to like this show but I detest it now. It's just gotten stupid the past few years, with everyone in the audience roaring at something I find barely amusing. The only characters I've ever even liked in this show are Marie & Robert, and to find out how underpaid and unappreciated they are when Ray's on his throne getting millions for doing nothing, is just outrageous. Sorry for this litte rant, but this whole thing is just unbelievable...something better be worked out for the ones with the real talent in the show...

Skywalker · 08-25-2003, 03:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bb25
Ray Romano's getting $50 million this season??? That is absolutely ridiculous! He has very little talent and just isn't a good actor IMO...I'm sorry, but he's not worth $50 million...it's just ludicrous...I used to like this show but I detest it now. It's just gotten stupid the past few years, with everyone in the audience roaring at something I find barely amusing. The only characters I've ever even liked in this show are Marie & Robert, and to find out how underpaid and unappreciated they are when Ray's on his throne getting millions for doing nothing, is just outrageous. Sorry for this litte rant, but this whole thing is just unbelievable...something better be worked out for the ones with the real talent in the show...

Considering it's Romano's show and he does produce it and also writes, 50 million is fair when u see the ratings. However I believe the costars are underpaid. If the costars of Friends can get 1 million per episoode, Heaton, Garrett, Roberts, and Peter should each get 1 million per episode too.

Céline · 08-25-2003, 11:21 AM

I agree with he deserve this raise...He's the real star of the show...A Robert's spinoff sound great with Amy.I think they are adorable together

°Bubbly Blonde° · 08-27-2003, 06:54 PM

He definitely deserves to get paid more, it's unfair, everyone doesnt just love Raymond they love the whole cast...

08-13-2003, 08:22 PM	#1
AKA Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 17, 2001 Posts: 15,746	Heaton, Garrett No-Shows At First Table Read Of Season Not Everybody Loves "Raymond" by Lia Haberman E! Online Have cast members lost that lovin' feeling for Ray Barone? Production on the eighth season of Everybody Loves Raymond started Monday with two actors MIA from the first table read. Patricia Heaton called in sick, according to CBS, while Brad Garrett stayed away because his character, Robert Barone, isn't scheduled to appear in the season's first episode. But the situation is a lot stickier than it seems. Sources say Garrett issued an ultimatum to the Eye network a few weeks ago, demanding a salary hike before he returned to work. The move came on the heels of his Emmy nomination and comments from CBS head honcho Les Moonves about a possible Robert Barone spinoff series. CBS, in turn, has temporarily written Garrett's character--whose wedding was the focus of last season's final epiosde--out of the series. The thesp, who's under contract through 2004, pulls in between $150,000 and $200,000 per episode, less than any of the other regular cast members. It's unknown how much of an increase Garrett is looking for but it's expected to be a significant boost--onscreen sibling Ray Romano recently inked a deal that will pay him $50 million for the upcoming season. In a statement, Garrett's representatives said, "CBS elected to make a one-year deal with Ray Romano making him the highest-paid sitcom actor ever. Ray deserves every penny, plus the profits he will earn. At the same time, despite our repeated attempts to dicuss Brad's salary over the past seven months, CBS has refused to talk to us. "Brad earns less than 10 percent of Ray's salary and is the lowest paid member of a grossly underpaid supporting cast," the statement continues. "All Brad wants is compensation commensurate with what other similarly situated actors have made in the past and are making today." As such, Garrett has retained show-biz attorney Michael Gendler, who's negotiated Tinseltown deals for the likes of David E. Kelley and Rob Marshall, to go to bat for him. In response, the network and producers reportedly decided against including Garrett in the September 22 premiere to avoid costly delays. Garrett's camp say he won't rejoin the dysfunctional family sitcom until he settles his salary spat. "Brad Garrett is an enormously talented actor whom we hold in the highest regard," CBS said in a statement. "It's unfortunate that he is not honoring his contract." A network source also says Garrett's contract has been renegotiated two times in the past four years. No immediate word on whether CBS will file a breach-of-contract suit against the actor, who won an Emmy last year for his supporting work on Raymond and is nominated again this year. Due to the absences, CBS has pushed the table read back to Wednesday and rescheduled shooting to begin Friday, a day later than originally anticipated. It's not known if Heaton, who was also MIA Tuesday, will be back at work by the end of the week, but both her reps and CBS insist she is really ill. While Mrs. Barone isn't looking for a raise, she and costars Doris Roberts and Peter Boyle have a vested interest in seeing the series extended for a ninth season--something Romano and producer Phil Rosenthal have hinted against. Unlike Romano and Garrett who are only under contract for the upcoming season, Heaton, Roberts and Doyle are all signed through 2006, with hefty pay hikes for that ninth season. Since they stand to lose a lot of money if the show doesn't return, the thesps are expected to pressure CBS for some sort of guarantee that they'd be compensated if a ninth season is nixed.

08-15-2003, 11:59 AM	#4
dlemond Hey, I know you. Moderator Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 03, 2001 Location: New Jersey Posts: 6,751	Brad Garrett deserves a HUGE raise, just to make up for all the other seasons that he was grossly underpaid. Just think of how many great episodes revolved around Robert or at least had him right in the middle of it. Garrett is responsible for providing AT LEAST 1/4 of all the laughs on the show and there is no way it would have survived to this day without him.
	__________________ Michael

08-16-2003, 07:09 PM	#5
Irishcoda Member Forum Hawk Join Date: Aug 16, 2003 Location: here Posts: 4	Geesh! I think Brad Garrett is funnier than Ray Romano.
	__________________ Do what you feel in your heart to be right - for you'll be criticized anyway. You'll be damned if you do, and damned if you don't. Eleanor Roosevelt

08-19-2003, 02:14 AM	#8
Superbatboy The Brandon Show Forum Regular Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: California..USA Posts: 793	It's sad that Brad is the funniest actor on the show, and the least paid. You'd think Ray Romano would help him out a bit and fight for him.
	__________________ "Marion, stop cackling I've been waiting 10 years for you to lay that egg"

08-27-2003, 06:54 PM	#15
°Bubbly Blonde° <3 Forum Veteran Join Date: Nov 25, 2001 Location: Playboy Mansion Posts: 5,876	He definitely deserves to get paid more, it's unfair, everyone doesnt just love Raymond they love the whole cast...
	__________________ ¤ Courtney ¤ -random quotes- Fashion is Architecture: it is a matter of proportions - Coco Chanel We are all born sexual creatures, thank God, but it's a pity so many people despise and crush this natural gift. - Marilyn Monroe I love sluts; they're the nicest people in the world. -Manolo I love Los Angeles. I love Hollywood. They're beautiful. Everybody's plastic, but I love plastic. I want to be plastic. - Andy Warhol

08-18-2003, 01:24 AM	#6
Rita Lawsons Boy J.u.l.i.a L.o.v.e.r Occasional Poster Join Date: Jul 09, 2003 Location: Hollywood,Maryland Posts: 58	I agree I think Robert as a character is a riot. I hope everything works out cuz Raymond is one of my favorite shows ever.

08-18-2003, 11:02 AM	#7
dlemond Hey, I know you. Moderator Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 03, 2001 Location: New Jersey Posts: 6,751	By the way, A Robert Barone spin-off series sounds great. If they make a few good supporting characters it would work. I don't know how they would explain that Robert doesn't see his parents at least every other day though (unless it's explained he sees them offscreen- plus guest appearances).

08-19-2003, 01:01 PM	#11
Chocoholic Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 01, 2000 Location: Between a rock and a hard place. Posts: 11,235	They should give him a raise. He's the only one on the show I still find funny. I'd also love to see a Robert spin-off, with different characters of course.

08-25-2003, 02:09 AM	#12
bb25 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 22, 2002 Posts: 784	Ray Romano's getting $50 million this season??? That is absolutely ridiculous! He has very little talent and just isn't a good actor IMO...I'm sorry, but he's not worth $50 million...it's just ludicrous...I used to like this show but I detest it now. It's just gotten stupid the past few years, with everyone in the audience roaring at something I find barely amusing. The only characters I've ever even liked in this show are Marie & Robert, and to find out how underpaid and unappreciated they are when Ray's on his throne getting millions for doing nothing, is just outrageous. Sorry for this litte rant, but this whole thing is just unbelievable...something better be worked out for the ones with the real talent in the show...

08-25-2003, 11:21 AM	#14
Céline Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 29, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 1,606	I agree with he deserve this raise...He's the real star of the show...A Robert's spinoff sound great with Amy.I think they are adorable together