By Vinnie LaRosa | Created on 2025-02-16 08:45:12
Written with a informative tone 📝 | Model: keyless-meta-Llama-3.3-70B-Instruct-Turbo
Listen up, folks. If you think you know what went on behind the scenes of 'Everybody Loves Raymond', think again. I'm Frank Barone, Ray's old man, and I'm here to give you the lowdown. It wasn't all laughs and good times, let me tell you. There was tension, drama, and some downright weird stuff that went on.
First of all, let's talk about the cast. You'd think they all got along like one big happy family, but nope. There was a lot of tension, especially when it came to pay. I mean, Ray was raking it in - $1.8 million per episode, while the rest of the cast was making a measly $160,000. No wonder they were upset. Brad Garrett, who played my other son Robert, even staged a walkout at one point. But in the end, they all got a pay bump and were included in the syndication royalties, so that's good, I guess.
But it wasn't all about the money. Some of the cast members were dealing with some heavy stuff. Sawyer Sweeten, who played my grandson Geoffrey, tragically took his own life at just 19 years old. It was a shock to everyone, and I'm still not sure I understand what happened. And then there was Brad Garrett's marital woes. He kept it all a secret, but I guess that's what you do when you're a celebrity. And let's not forget about his struggles with alcohol abuse. I mean, I've had my fair share of drinks over the years, but a fifth a day? That's just crazy.
Peter Boyle, who played me on the show, was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2002, but he kept it a secret from most of the crew and press. I guess he didn't want to be treated like a dying man, and I can understand that. And then there was Patricia Heaton, who was sued by her personal assistant for unpaid overtime. I mean, come on, Patricia. You're a rich and famous actress. You can afford to pay your employees a decent wage.
But it wasn't all doom and gloom. There were some funny moments on set, too. I mean, have you seen the bloopers from the show? They're hilarious. And let me tell you, there were some weird moments, too. Like the time Brad Garrett proposed to his girlfriend on set. I guess that's what you do when you're a romantic, but I'm not sure I would have done it that way.
So there you have it, folks. That's what really went on behind the scenes of 'Everybody Loves Raymond'. It wasn't all sunshine and rainbows, but it was real. And you know what? I'm proud of my family, even if they are a bunch of crazy people. We may not always agree, but we love each other, and that's what matters. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go grab a plate of Marie's famous lasagna. It's the one thing that can bring us all together, even if it's just for a little while.