Brad Garrett stages salary walkout from ''Raymond.'' Now central to the show (and possible spinoff), he says he won't return to work without a raise
By
Gary is a Senior Writer for EW
Published on August 13, 2003
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/9427__brad_l-bae345b5996744d2b36335ec0b7194e7.jpg "Brad Garrett stages salary walkout from ''Raymond'' (1)")
On ”Everybody Loves Raymond,” Ray’s brother Robert (Brad Garrett) often feels like nobody loves him, and now, Garrett apparently feels the same way. According to The Hollywood Reporter, he’s staging a walkout from the top-rated CBS comedy, which was supposed to begin production of its eighth season this week, until he gets a raise. ”We’ve been trying to talk to [CBS] for many months about this,” Garrett’s manager, Doug Wald, told the Reporter. ”They’ve been nonresponsive. We’re just looking for an appropriate deal.”
CBS recently gave star/coproducer Ray Romano a raise that makes him the highest-paid performer on TV; he’ll earn around $45 million next season. Under the terms of his current contract, Garrett will earn about $4 million, or $150,000 per episode, which his camp says is less than the mid-six-figure fee that the supporting actors on other top sitcoms earn.
Plus, Garrett has become increasingly central to the show. Last season’s arc concluded with Robert’s marriage, and CBS is considering giving Robert his own spinoff if Romano and coproducer Phil Rosenthal decide, as they’ve hinted, to stop making the show after this season. And Garrett’s walkout comes on the heels of an Emmy nomination and the announcement that he’ll be one of the Emmy ceremony’s hosts next month.
CBS responded to Garrett’s absence this week with a statement noting that it has renegotiated his contract twice in the last four years, and that he’s contractually obligated to show up for work. ”Brad Garrett is an enormously talented actor whom we hold in the highest regard,” the statement read. ”It’s unfortunate that he is not honoring his contract.
Also out this week is Patricia Heaton (who plays Ray’s wife, Debra), who called in sick. While there’s speculation that she’s also holding out for more money (she’s due a bonus if the show goes into a ninth season), reps for both CBS and the actress say that her illness is real and that she’s seeing a doctor.
As an expert in the television industry, I have a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics involved in salary negotiations, contract disputes, and the evolving roles of actors within successful TV shows. My expertise is grounded in both industry knowledge and real-world insights into the intricacies of television production.
In the article discussing Brad Garrett's salary walkout from ''Everybody Loves Raymond,'' several key concepts are at play:
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Salary Negotiations in the TV Industry:
- The article highlights Brad Garrett's decision to stage a walkout until he receives a raise, shedding light on the ongoing negotiations between actors and network executives.
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Importance of Supporting Characters:
- Garrett's role as Ray's brother, Robert, has become increasingly central to the show, culminating in a significant storyline – Robert's marriage. This underscores the evolving importance of supporting characters in a long-running series.
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Potential Spinoff:
- The article mentions that CBS is considering a spinoff for Robert if the show's main producers, Ray Romano and Phil Rosenthal, decide to conclude ''Everybody Loves Raymond'' after the eighth season. Spinoffs are a common strategy to extend the success of popular characters.
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Salary Disparities Among Cast Members:
- A notable point of contention is the significant salary gap between Ray Romano and Brad Garrett. While Romano received a substantial raise, Garrett's earnings are portrayed as considerably lower than those of supporting actors on other top sitcoms, emphasizing the disparities in compensation among cast members.
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Emmy Nomination and Hosting Gig:
- Brad Garrett's recent Emmy nomination and upcoming role as one of the hosts for the Emmy ceremony add another layer to his profile. This recognition may contribute to his negotiating leverage.
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Contractual Obligations:
- CBS responds to Garrett's walkout by emphasizing that they have renegotiated his contract twice in the last four years and stating that he is contractually obligated to fulfill his work commitments. This highlights the legal and contractual aspects that come into play during such disputes.
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Parallel Situation with Patricia Heaton:
- The article briefly mentions Patricia Heaton, who plays Ray's wife, Debra, and is also absent from work. While there is speculation about her seeking more money, the official stance is that she is genuinely unwell, showcasing the complexity of such situations and the need to distinguish between contractual disputes and health issues.
In summary, this situation involving Brad Garrett's salary walkout provides a glimpse into the multifaceted nature of television production, encompassing financial negotiations, the evolving dynamics of character roles, and the strategic considerations involved in potential spinoffs. It also touches on the challenges of maintaining a harmonious ensemble cast and the contractual obligations that underpin the actor-producer network relationship.
