
Ray Barone is a successful sports writer and family man who deals with a brother and parents -- who happen to live across the street. Mom Marie loves to meddle in his life, while older brother Robert sometimes resents his success, and Dad Frank just makes comments and raids the fridge. Nevertheless, Ray manages to keep a bright outlook and a sense of humor, leaving the hard issues to his more-practical wife, Debra.

Ray's contractor friend takes an eternity to replace the kitchen stove.

When Amy invites her brother to stay for dinner, he makes himself comfortable on the couch and never leaves.

Ray's little white lie to get out of spending the evening with his mother snowballs into an intricate deception.

Debra's mother enlists an unwilling Ray to help plan a surprise birthday party for his wife.