
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 throws the Barone family into turmoil when she finally cooks something good.

Ray and Debra scheme to get Frank and Marie out of their hair by having them make new friends, but the plan blows up in their faces.

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

Ray is worried when Debra asks him to take the kids out more so she can have time to herself.