
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 hopes the family-themed eulogy he gives for his Uncle Gus will extinguish the sparks of a family feud.

Ray's latest manipulative plan involves constantly turning down Debra.

Robert's psychology project stirs Ray's and Debra's competitive streaks.

At Frank and Marie's anniversary party, Ray discovers that his parents split up for a year and only got back together after Ray fell off his bike and broke his arm; he can't help feeling guilty.