CBS Hopeful Sitcom 'Raymond' Will Return

NEW YORK (AP) _ CBS President Leslie Moonves said he's guardedly optimistic that his most popular comedy, ``Everybody Loves Raymond,'' will return next season _ but he's discussed a spinoff

Wednesday, March 3rd 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

NEW YORK (AP) _ CBS President Leslie Moonves said he's guardedly optimistic that his most popular comedy, ``Everybody Loves Raymond,'' will return next season _ but he's discussed a spinoff just in case.

Moonves said he hoped to conclude negotiations on a return of the Monday night comedy within the next few weeks.

``We're talking, which is good,'' Moonves said Tuesday. ``It's better than not talking.''

The show's two creators, star Ray Romano and executive producer Phil Rosenthal, have expressed worries about exhausting available stories.

Moonves has argued that with ``Friends,'' ``Frasier'' and ``Sex and the City'' ending their runs this year, a ``Raymond'' finale would be overshadowed.

CBS has talked about a potential spinoff involving Brad Garrett, who plays Romano's brother in the series, but Moonves said no decision will be made until the future of ``Raymond'' is determined.

A potential series finale for ``Everybody Loves Raymond'' has already been written, Moonves said.

``Everybody Loves Raymond'' is the second most popular comedy on television behind NBC's ``Friends,'' averaging 17.8 million viewers each week, according to Nielsen Media Research.