By Michael Schneider | Variety Magazine

Don't hold your breath for a "Fraiser" - or a "Joey"-style "Everybody Loves Raymond" spin-off.

Had "Raymond" not returned for a ninth season, Eye execs floated with the idea of focusing a new show around Brad Garrett's character, the hapless Robert Barone.

Talk of a spin-off had died down by mid-2003, however, as Garrett and the show's other supporting cast members were locked in a tough salary dispute with CBS and the show's producers, Worldwide Pants and HBO Independent Prods.

The salary squabble was settled, but the words "spin-off" haven't been uttered since then.

Speaking to TV critics this summer, "Raymond" creator Phil Rosenthal said he wasn't charged with the idea.

"I can't say I'm thrilled with the idea of doing one," he said. "They usually don't work. I think 'Frasier' is the wildly successful exception...It's not as exciting to a writer as something new."

Making a Garrett-led spin-off more difficult, the actor has talked with "Raymond" producer HBO about developing one or several projects at the pay cabler. Project would be created as a starring vehicle for Garrett, a two-time Emmy winner for his portrayal of Robert.

"I had an idea I pitched to those folks, and it was the type of idea that could only be done correctly on HBO, " Garrett says. "They have an amazing ability to get creative people together and let them do what they do, which is why I think it's everybody's dream to go to HBO. They seem to like the idea, and it's something I've very passionate about."

Garrett is meeting with potential show runners and writers, and although there's no deal in place yet, he says all parties are moving forward in "good faith."

Meanwhile, Garrett mostly dismisses the idea of a "Raymond" spin-off.

"It's been nothing but rumors started by people other than myself," he says. "The way my luck goes, if there was a spin-off, I'd have to audition. The breakdown would ask for a Brad Garrett type."

Quips aside, the actor says putting together all the same elements that made "Raymond" a smash would be nearly impossible to do.

"The writing is crucial, and for that to even come together would be nothing short of a miracle," he says. "It couldn't be simply "Raymond" without Ray."

Garrett says he'd only support a spin-off if something dramatic occurred to his character.

"I want to do something different from Robert," he says, "and the HBO character couldn't be further from that."