CHICAGO (thefutoncritic.com) -- The drama behind-the-scenes of CBS' "Everybody Loves Raymond" appears to be over as actor Brad Garrett returned to the set yesterday. The news marks the end of a two-week holdout by the actor over his current contract. Fellow co-stars Patricia Heaton, Doris Roberts and Peter Boyle had also been going through similar upheavals however Garrett's was the most public.
All four actors are set to receive hefty pay hikes as well as a share of "Raymond's" lucrative sale into syndication. Garrett, Roberts and Boyle reportedly will receive $250,000 per episode (about $6 million) for the upcoming season, almost double their previous pay, and a retroactive adjustment for their previous work valued at about $2.5 million. The new pacts will also keep each actor under contract through a potential ninth season should one happen. All three would receive another raise at that point to $315,000 per episode (about $7.5 million for the year). The real windfall however is from the show's backend as each actor is expected to get between $10-$20 million from the show's syndication sale by the time the series ends its run.
Details of Heaton's deal were under wraps however in all likelihood her new pact is slightly more than the other three actors. Series star Ray Romano's deal remains unchanged as the actor/producer will net almost $2 million per episode for his duties this season. Romano and co-creator Phil Rosenthal have said several times they wish to end the series after the upcoming season, a decision which reportedly has not gone over well with the other actors. Nevertheless, the new deals seem to have mended any ill will between all parties involved.
While Garrett wasn't a part of the show's first episode for the upcoming season he's expected to have a small part in the second installment. The taping for that episode is scheduled for tomorrow.
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