
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 fears the wrath of Debra after he embarrasses her in front of everyone at a school auction.

Debra discovers to her chagrin that she wishes her own mother would behave more like Marie.

Ray challenges his father to a game of table tennis after learning that the elder Barone purposely let him win.

Robert jumps into the "favorite son" position after Marie learns about a wild party Ray held 20 years ago.