
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.

Robert quickly goes from deciding which one of three beautiful women he likes to wondering if any still like him.

When Debra and the kids go away for the weekend, Ray accidentally kills Ally's hamster.

Sibling rivalry heats up when a publishing company passes on Ray's sports book and Robert gets promoted.

Ray runs into a girl he disrespected when they dated in high school, but he ends up regretting an apology.