Raymond Minus Two

According to CBS, Patricia Heaton called in sick and Brad Garrett was not needed because his character is not to appear in the season’s first episode. Both seem like fairly reasonable explanations to their absences, but there is an underlying buzz that trouble lays ahead. Garrett has reportedly issued an ultimatum to the powers-that-be at CBS demanding a salary increase before he will return to work. It seems he is using his Emmy nomination and talk of a possible spin-off for his character as leverage.

Garrett makes significantly less than any of his co-stars at $200,000 per episode, while the star of the show Ray Romano is reportedly bringing in a mere $50 million for the eighth season. No word on how much of an increase Garrett is angling for, but it is expected to be a significant boost. He has retained attorney Michael Gendler to help him retain that raise. Gendler has negotiated mega deals for many Hollywood stars including David E. Kelley and Rob Marshall. CBS promptly decided against Garrett’s character being part of the season premier, apparently to avoid costly delays. No one knows if there will be a ninth season.

Heaton and co-stars Doris Roberts and Peter Boyle have signed contracts through 2006 with a reported strong salary hike for the ninth season. The actors stand to lose a lot of money if this is the last season, so there is rumored to be pressure for some guarantee that they will be compensated if there is no ninth season. It would seem natural that they would want the series to continue. Romano wants to focus on his big screen career, but does he have the box office clout to make it work? Everybody better think long and hard before they let dollar signs cloud their way!