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Image credit: Brad Garrett: Rovert Voets

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Everybody Loves Raymond

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What was your rationale for not showing up to work?
The numbers spoke for themselves. It was never about chasing Ray's number. But if they could afford to make Ray the highest-paid guy on TV ever -- and he deserves every nickel -- there has to come a point where it trickles down to the supporting cast. As I told them, I don't want a piece of the pie. I just want to be able to walk by the bakery.

Did you ever doubt your strategy and think, ''Oh God, they're going to write me out of the show permanently''?
I was ready to be written out. I understood that was a very large possibility. It was a matter of just believing in myself and that what I was asking for was in no way, shape, or form ridiculous or unwarranted. The interesting thing was it spurred a lot of different people in TV who wanted to sit down and talk ideas.

Can you name any names?
I'd rather not. Okay, I'll give you one. Animal Planet pitched a show -- ''Makeovers for the Big and Impossible to Fit.''

Are you concerned that if the show ends this season, you'll be overshadowed by the ''Friends'' finale?
I don't care about that. This has been the little show that could. We're used to being overshadowed. We could get overshadowed by ''Moesha.''

That's not on anymore.
That's my point.

If this is your last season playing Robert, what's next?
I'm looking forward to the challenge of not working again. Or doing something else. I would love to do an hour-long drama. I want to dance. I want to go back to my roots, which are in carnivals.