
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 excitement over being sent to the Super Bowl is tempered by the fact that he has to choose a companion.

Ray feels violated after discovering that his mother used to read his private diary when he was a kid.

Debra is upset when she realizes that she and Ray no longer have anything to say to each other.

Ray becomes overdramatic after learning that Debra is comfortable with the twins performing as fairies in a school play.