
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.

Debra hurts Frank's feelings when the family is stranded together during a snowstorm.

Ray buys a new state-of-the-art vacuum cleaner from an attractive door-to-door saleswoman, which results in a cleaning war between Marie and Debra.

Ray vows to win the grand prize of the Frontier Girls cookie drive when Ally's troop leader targets his parents' house.

Tempers flare when Marie accuses Debra of not returning a borrowed canister that has sentimental value.