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

While crabby Robert convalesces at his parents' home after a close encounter with a bull, Debra searches for the cause of his mean-spirited behavior.

Ray pushes Debra over the edge when he suggests that a pill could alleviate all of her PMS moodiness.

Still reeling after his encounter with a bull, Robert loses his nerve on his first day back with the police force and decides to quit his job to begin a new career in telemarketing.