Everybody Loves Raymond writer signs deal with HBO

Mike Royce, a writer for Everybody Loves Raymond and Help Me Help You recently signed on for an exclusive deal with HBO to develop shows for the cable channel. Royce's first attempt will be to develop another vehicle for Ray Romano, though he says it won't be anything like Everybody Loves Raymond. That seems like a smart move, since an analogue of Everybody Loves Raymond and HBO would go together like mayonnaise and cough medicine. Since the deal was just finalized, there's no word on exactly what the new show will be, and even Royce says he and Romano haven't come up with any ideas yet. Royce's most recent gig was as an executive producer on comedian Louis CK's failed HBO sitcom Lucky Louie. We'll have to wait and see if he has better luck with a different stand up comedian turned television actor.