Ray's Hot? lol Was the episode funnier to see in person than tv?

Tension on ELR? There is tension in any show. I'm not surprised.

I am certain I will want to slice my fingertips off for revealing this but I have to say I think Ray is uber-sexy everytime they show him in his boxers, socks and t-shirt (which for some reason seems to always be in the kitchen).

Ok. Gotta go sharpen the knife now that I have this off my chest.

I really enjoyed last night's episode where Debra went to work at Frank's Caraboo Lodge. We got to see a fun-loving, pleasant Debra, which proves that being cooped in that house with Ray and 3 kids is driving her to madness.
And Patricia Heaton looked damn good in that scene where she was drinking beer and signing with the guys. Those dark denim jeans looked great on her!

I also loved when Ray told Deb that they guys were talking about her butt and "points north" and he grabbed his shirt to represent boobs. Funny!

Debra's actually been less shrewish in several episodes this season, including the Thanksgiving visit to Amy's parents' home. I enjoyed last night's, too. Loved Frank explaining the Caribou situation to Ray: "Don't make me go any higher!"

Last night's ep was a very pleasant return to the ELR that I've enjoyed for eight years, or whatever it's been. About time! That mail-it-in-with-viciousness streak that had been prevalent throughout the fall wasn't there, and PB, PH and RR outdid themselves. We saw a bit of a new side of Frank, too.

Frank may have burned some bridges...I wonder if there'll be a follow-up so we see how the new lodge dynamic plays out.

Last night's episode of ELR, where Debra was at the lodge...just classic tv right there!!!

I never seen that side of Frank Barone before!!! Telling the truth to Raymond....

Love the line about the guys at the lodge telling Debra that her "wife is nagging her" (aka Ray).

The last scene where the lovely lodge ladies were staring at Raymond's butt. And the funny thing is that Ray realized what was happening and suddenly went back to being insecure about himself. Haha.



I agree with her being less shewish, she hasn't been in her yelling mode since the first episode this season.

I hope we see more of Robert and Amy.

No matter what you think the best line in the episode was, it was likely one of Frank's again. My pick: "I don't want them talking about her like that. She's like my daughter, and they're like my brothers. It's a pickle, I tell you!"

I'll go with "...I'm taking off my pants now!" followed by "I'm about to start scratching!"

Hee! That completely reminded me of Al Bundy when he said that!

But does he normally take his pants off over at Ray's? If so, ewww.

This was a good episode. Even though the logic in me thinks "why doesn't Frank tell the guys not to talk about Debra because she's like his daughter", I don't have a problem. Glad to see Debra not being the big shrew (and liked them jeans).

Frank often unbuttons his pants to watch TV, but usually after a large meal. There was an episode with Debra's parents where he inspired Warren to follow suit.

Apparently tonight Marie butts in to protest when Ray and Debra start making Ally responsible for some household chores. Sounds very typical to me -- so many grandparents coddle their grandkids, completely forgetting that they piled even more work on their own kids (the parents) when they were young.

This was a pretty average episode. Marie became a bit of a caricature, being even nastier to Debra than usual (particularly saying "Ally's grown up to be a responsible homemaker against all odds" right in front of her).

Marie's said worse than that in Debra's earshot before. Marie's whole self-image is bound up in being needed by her family, and she deals with her fear of becoming obsolete by making sure they think they're helpless without her. I see it all the time in real life. Debra has to "take it" to some extent, because she does need and want Marie in her life, not only as an emergency baby-sitter, but also as a truly loving grandmother to Debra's kids. To paraphrase Frank, "It's a conundrum, I tell ya!"

Anyway, I liked the episode and thought it had several LOL moments, though I was too tired while watching it to recall many of them now. Frank's delight in Ally's cooking, and his shooing Marie away from the stove when she automatically started to show Ally the "right" way to make grilled cheese sandwiches, was very funny.

I thought it was a really fun episode; the tone was very playful to me, compared to some of shouting shrew stuff of the past. I only started watching the last couple of years, plus catching random eps in reruns, so when you guys said last week was more like the earlier seasons, I'll assume this week was too.

The part in the grocery store where Ray tries to put Debra in the cart, and they're laughing and having fun about it was a refreshing change. Last season's Debra would have snapped at Ray for being inappropriate or always horny or something. As for Ally, it was nice to see a sitcom kid who just was there, acting like a kid, rather than spouting clever smart-mouthed one lines to the adults.

Those twins have hideous haircuts. Their foreheads look massive.

Something about Ally just bugged me last night. How old is she again? Somehow, I don't think a kid her age would be that enthusiastic to fold laundry and babysit. Cooking? Maybe.

It was believable the first time she said "Boys! I'm in charge of you now!", b/c I'm sure it's great fun to boss your little brothers around, but they lost me with the laundry. I was starting to think she had some sort of ulterior motive somewhere. It could be that she wanted to go to her friend's house, but I don't think Debra/Ray would have stopped her anyway. Is it just me?

I liked last night's too. It was refreshing to see Debra and Ray enjoy each other's compnay. Even if it was set up so the in-laws could ruin the moment.

CG-I agree about Ally. I can see her enjoying cooking and bossing around her brothers but laundry? No way. I think they got carried away with premise and didn't stop to think it through.

Agreed on the writers taking it a little too far with Ally's enthusiasm for the more mundane chores. It would have served the plot perfectly fine if she had just liked babysitting and cooking.

It was neat to see Ray and Debra having fun at the supermarket. Most of the time I forget why they're even together.

I agree, Ally and laundry went to far, but it was funny when she was holding the clothes that were taller then her. I've been there when I was 11. Ally actually reminded me of my cousin, she was first put in charge of her two younger brothers, there's an 8 year difference. She was like super cook and bossed her brothers around, and she still does at 16. The one thing about Marie with the whole "feeling obsolete", which extends to even my family. Truth is, Marie enstills fear to her family about going against her. Truth is, last season when Debra went off about how Marie is so controlling, was great. Truth is, I wish Debra honestly so tell her off followed by Ray agreeing, they don't want her controlling their lives. Leaving Marie to finally ask what she does now, be an interesting turn for the character actually feeling useless. I also agree, get the boys a hair cut, that long hair is not them.

Have you ever noticed that Marie has a giant head? Her poofy hairstyle adds to it, but when she stands next to Debra, they are the same height, but Marie's head is twice the size. It's rather odd.

I wasn't feeling it during this past episode, "it" being whatever intangible things that have made ELR one of my favorite shows for years.

Blech. Left me with a bad taste. When I read your individual comments about the scene in the supermarket, and some of Frank's comments about Allie's cooking, I do remember some bright spots.

But overall, this ep reminded me of why I took my last hiatus from this show, and why I'm ready to take another one. I am SO weary of Marie's mean-spirited manipulation of her family, and everyone standing hang-doggedly impotent in front of her, unable to grab the bull by the horns and tell this woman how things need to work, that I need to take some time off. There are usually moments of levity in this show worth seeing, but I'll catch up with them during summer re-runs. In the meantime, I'm tired of how everyone cows to the matriarch and the dysfunction keeps marching on. Especially Ray and Robert. She's THEIR mother. They should intervene, but they just get that stupid look on their face.

Yes, I know. It's only a TV show. That's why I can walk away.

I have not been able to watch this show since the season finale last season, when Marie ruined the wedding... I remember thinking who on earth would do this? Really, who? It seemed even a little to rude for Marie, and that's saying a lot. Obviously, I'm not missing much of anything! Thanks for the posts.

Not sure when it happened, but I haven't been able to really watch since Debra turned 'mean'. And then when no talent Chris Elliot was added, that was the end. I keep sneaking back, but it's painful, so I leave.

This show crashed and burned, right before our eyes. So quickly, too.

Ugh, I hate Chris Elliot's character - just incredibly repulsive, esp. when he takes off his shirt for the Thanksgiving play.

What's worse than Chris Elliot on ERL? When Still Standing used to be after ERL and he was featured on both shows....<gag>

Chris Elliot is the anti-Robert. We don't like him or love him, we hate him. For the crap he's brought to everyone and how his parents are so oblivious to his behavior. Amy's family and the Baurown family are two oppisite sides of a coin. However, we take Amy's parents over Chris Elliot as her loser brother any time of the week.

Ray Romano, Patricia Heaton, Doris Roberts, Peter Boyle, and Brad Garrett all received individual nominations from the Screen Actors Guild. The show also received an ensemble acting nomination.

Can you say mini-Vanderbeeks?

Maybe Debra has an unusually tiny head?

Let's not forget skimpy eyelashes :)

Saw a commercial last night for Ray's new movie, Welcome to Mooseport. Gene Hackman co-stars and the little advance word I've seen is that the movie is very funny. I suspect that Ray's decision about whether to end ERL this season will be affected by how well this film and Eulogy do.

Romano would be silly not to do another year. He could build his own movie studio with what CBS is willing to pay him.

Yeah, I think Ray Ramono does need to do one more year. This way they can get all the characters as far as they are going to go and wrap up everything.

I saw the trailers for Welcome to Mooseport awhile ago and I thought it looked very, um, unfunny. It basically looked like an extended episode of ERL - Romano really doesn't look like he's breaking out of character. Also, there is a lot of golf playing in the trailers, which is even more Ray-like, lol.

I thought Elf looked awful from its trailer, but I enjoyed the movie quite a bit and laughed a lot. Guess we'll have to wait and see!

Most posters here seem to think ERL's quality is down this year and that ending the show would be a blessing.

Inquisitionist, yes the quality is not only down, it's out. If viewers want to continue to see a shrewish Debra, a neutered Ray, a boring whipped Robert and a bullying Amy, an aged Marie and Frank, an unattractive trio of child actors, and an odious, nauseating, vomit inducing Chris Elliot, that's up to them.

I'll pass.

A "blessing"? I'd consider it a mercy killing.

Ray really shouldn't stick around for another season. Get out while the getting is good.

Word to everything stoneyburke said except for the description of Chris Elliot, whom I find simply cringe-inducing rather than "...odious, nauseating, vomit inducing...."

Yet, I'm on board for the duration.

Just jumping into the fray here:
1. Fell in LOVE with this show when I first caught it in syndication; started watching current shows 2 years ago.
2. Something AWFUL happened last year, basically at the wedding. Everyone got MEAN. That whole episode was basically unwatchable.
3. The Surprise Party episode? I could not watch it. I watched it the way I watch horror movies that come on HBO...a few seconds...then to CNN...then a few more seconds. Horrible, out-of-character behavior by everyone.
4. However, Georgia Engel making the "neck breaking" motion in answer to the Barones' inquiry about how she "took care of" the bird that flew into the windowpane in the Thanksgiving episode? Hi-fukkin'-larious. Almost peed myself.

All caught up now. Thanks.

Edited to clarify that Georgia Engel wasn't killing birds at Debra's surprise party (although that might have been an improvement).

I still heart the show and think it could go another year. Or, Les Moonves and Brad Garrett could get all cuddly again and give us a Robert spin-off.

.

WORD to the "Ray is hot" chatter a bit upthread. I have to say, there is something about Ray Romano that I find so VERY attractive. Not so much in a turn-your-head kind of way, but more in a your-friend's-cute-husband kind of way.

It's amazing what childhood revelations can occur when things are said even though they may seem new. Ray sounded real surprised at the thought of one parent trying to turn the kids against the other. Ray shouldn't feel too bad. It probably happens with many other different families.

"Look, up in the sky." "It's bad husband."

Still not feeling it this season, which is too bad. I got the same apathy/resentment vibe tonight that I felt for all but one episode this year.

Last nights episode did not do much for me either. There were a few funny parts, but overall not much going for it. Ray Romano may be onto something if he decides to end the show this season. However, at this point I don't think that is fair to the cast because they will not have much of a goodbye season. So, if they continue the show next year, at least the cast can enjoy one more year together knowing for sure it is the end.

Agreed, Alexa...unless the apathy/resentment that they're projecting (IMHO) would trump any sort of goodbye-type affection, in which case it'd be an utter disaster.

I hated the episode because I know a family like Ray's in which it's "Mom and Kids" against "Dad" all the time. "Mom and Kids" are superior and openly scorn Dad and his opinions all the time. Sad and embarrassing to be around.

Anyway, I sure hope this is the last season. I can't take much more of Debra, with her arms folded, saying EXCUUUSE ME?!! to Ray like he's insulted the Queen of F'ing England every time he disagrees with her.

Bingo, thatsforsure. I guess it is human nature, to hang in there with a show that is in the toilet, just to see if, just once, it can get its head above the rim. ELR has not yet done that this year.

I thought it was Chris Elliot's fault that the show sucked. Well, it's not. Nor Amy's parents. The show sucks just fine without any of them present. Oh, but for good measure, they should be gone anyway.

Let's see, where did last night annoy me. The kids are no longer cute, in a big way. And, since they can't act, they should be gone. Peter Boyle looks really ill, and if he can't cut it anymore, he should be gone.

Marie is annoying without any redeeming qualities anymore, and the "I wish I could marry my son" schtick is getting MORE than a little sick. Adios, Marie. Robert...eh, Robert is pathetic, more pathetic than ever. Go, Robert.

Debra...ah, Debra...where she was once funny with her badgering of Ray, now she's painful to watch. Her badgering at least was tempered with an alliance with Ray, and now, she seems to be in an all out war against everyone. There isn't even the 'Honeymooners' saving grace of affection at the end after all of her insanity. She is replaying her PMS episode every single week. Then, she decides at times to interject a little coquettishness and when it isn't disgusting, it's downright skeevy. Goodbye Debra.

Finally, there's Romano. He is most to blame, since he oversees the writing, I would imagine. WHAT makes him think any of the dialogue coming out of the characters' mouths is currently funny? Has the money gone to his and their heads? His character is whiney and stupid and annoying and unattractive and most of all, MOST of all, IS.NOT.FUNNY.

Get lost, Romano, and take this sad little show with you.

A.I.S.?

Ass in Seat.

I never did it to the wife. That would be suicide.

I have to admit though. Right before she got her hair caught in the curling pole, she looked hot!

I usually don’t post in this thread, but I just had to after this episode tonight. Fuck Deborah. I’d have left her slow-poke ass at home too. It’s not like she hadn’t been warned. We did the same thing to my Dad once, because he ALWAYS made our family late. Never happened again after that.

But one criticism: in my experience, it is usually the men-folk who make with the late, because they underestimate how much time they need to get ready. My father did it, my father-in-law does it, and my husband has tried to pull it a few times. I might AIS him myself one of these days.

They even had a joke with Ray not nearly being ready on time in last season's finale. That was pretty darn good. For once Ray even got the best part, with his imitation of a woman getting ready.

My wife thought Debra got what she deserved, and that Ray was justified in leaving when he did. Now ask what'd happen to me if I pulled that stunt!