Romano Nets $50 Million for 8th Season

Reuters ^ | May 12, 2003 | Nellie Andreeva and Cynthia Littleton

[Living Free in NH]

NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) - Not bad for a sportswriter from Queens. Ray Romano has struck a deal that will make him the highest-paid actor in television with a nearly $50 million salary for the upcoming eighth season of "Everybody Loves Raymond," sources said.

At the same time, CBS has quietly struck a deal to renew the show for an additional two seasons at a hefty license fee of nearly $6 million an episode.

After lengthy negotiations, sources said Romano has come to an agreement with CBS and "Raymond" producers Worldwide Pants and HBO Independent Prods. for a one-season deal that will pay him about $1.7 million-$1.8 million per episode, up from his current salary of roughly $800,000 per episode, sources said.

The new deal puts Romano in a tax bracket ahead of "Frasier" star Kelsey Grammer, who held the record with the $1.6 million-per-episode pact he struck with Paramount Network TV and NBC two years ago.

Reps for Romano and CBS would not comment Sunday on the deal.

The series renewal deal covers two seasons, through 2004-05, sources said, a clear sign that CBS hopes to persuade Romano to extend his stay with the Barone clan even longer. "Raymond" is the anchor of CBS' powerhouse Monday night lineup, ranking ninth this season among all primetime series.

Romano is said to be looking to make a transition into features with his first big-screen starring roles in the upcoming Artisan picture "Eulogy," with Winona Ryder and Hank Azaria, and the 20th Century Fox/Intermedia Film's Donald Petrie-directed "Mooseport," in which he stars opposite Gene Hackman, Marcia Gay Harden and Maura Tierney.

Romano hasn't been shy about letting it be known that he wanted to move on from "Raymond" while the show was still on top. Last fall, he told TV Guide that the show "could be one more (season) after this ... You don't want to leave when you're sliding down."

"Raymond" creator/executive producer Phil Rosenthal has echoed that sentiment. "Never say never, (but) we can't see going beyond eight years," Rosenthal said in January.

[Living Free in NH]

...deal that will pay him about $1.7 million-$1.8 million per episode

Very misleading figures. It's really only $961,538.46 per week if you calculate it based on the calendar year, not just the show's season.

Maybe we can pitch in and lend this poor fella a few bucks.

[dwilli]

It's a good show with a great cast. The Monday night cbs shows are the only network shows I regularly watch. Even the show with the two couples living together isn't bad.(Yes Dear?)

[Lunatic Fringe]

As soon as the big salaries are signed, shows tend to go downhill....

Friends...
X-Files...
NYPD Blue...
ER....

[dead]

I've never watched a minute of this show.

I think it's because I hear that big deep-voiced guy (not Raymond, the other guy) in the promos and I don't want to tune in. He gives me a headache.

[Lunatic Fringe]

Robert... he's hilarious.

[ABG(anybody but Gore)]

"Jump the shark" time. Frasier just isn't as funny as it used to be before Niles and Daphne hooked up. X-Files died when Duchovney got that huge raise and they moved from Vancouver to LA(the movie was the shark moment, IMO). Friends is just awful now, and ER has been unwatchable for years. I now realize how wise Jerry Seinfeld was to shut it down while it was still good.

[jern]

Just think, if he was black and played basketball everyone would be up in arms.

[zx2dragon]

I only catch the reruns twice a week on TV.

However, I loved the voice work he did in Ice Age.

[Prodigal Son]

Never heard of him. Must be a funny guy for that kind of jack though.

[Hatteras]

As Frank would say, "50 Mil.... HOLY CRAP!"

[GraniteStateConservative]

I support the Peter Boyle Full Employment Act-- call your senators NOW!

: )

[Aquinasfan]

Robert... he's hilarious.

They're all hilarious. Actually, Raymond might be the least funny although he holds the show together. He's kind of like the Andy Griffith character of the show. Personally, I think the mother-in-law is the funniest. She's dead-on. Peter Boyle is a little over-the-top. Ray's wife is very believable and very funny. It's the best family comedy that I can think of. Right up there with "All in the Family."

[PBRSTREETGANG]

Just think, if he was black and played basketball everyone would be up in arms.

Really? I must've missed the protests against Michael Jordan's and Shaquille O'Neal's salaries. When were they held?

(It's all entertainment. If people are stupid enough to pay it, you deserve it.)

[dead]

Just think, if he was black and played basketball everyone would be up in arms.

Yeah, I remember the riots in Idaho when Kobe Bryant signed his contract.

(what on earth are you talking about?)

[balrog666]

Right up there with "All in the Family."

Whoaaaaaaa, nelly! Talk about damning with faint praise!

[kidd]

"Everybody Loves Raymond" is a very average sitcom, with an occasional gem. Its just that the CBS line-up is so horrible that Romano can ask for this kind of pay.

I don't see any evidence of "jumping the shark". Seinfeld asked for more money, got it, and remained consistent (except for the stinker last episode).

[Ignatz]

I think it's because I hear that big deep-voiced guy (not Raymond, the other guy) in the promos and I don't want to tune in. He gives me a headache.

Comedian Brad Garrett. Very funny guy! He's an occasional guest on a local morning radio show.
Quick bio: http://www.tvtome.com/tvtome/servlet/PersonDetail/personid-1563

[cgk]

LOL!

[cgk]

I love the show, and admire Patricia Heaton for her very vocal pro-life stance. (What other celebrity do you know that would DARE place billboards up decrying abortion?) I just never watch it because I never tune into network television. FNC is on around-the-clock here, aside from Sixers games and football.

[Paradox]

One person, Patricia Heaton.

I dont know the politics of the rest of them, but this woman is my godess..