When it comes to ’90s sitcoms, Everybody Loves Raymond and The King of Queens often reign supreme. These shows quickly struck a chord with fans due to the way they expertly depicted modern life. Both Doug and Ray are ordinary guys who are just trying to create better lives for their loving families, but things don’t always go to plan.
Eagle-eyed fans will notice that Kevin James appeared in Everybody Loves Raymond countless times before he slipped into the iconic role of Doug Heffernan. But, when Ray and Debra arrived in Queens, both men were able to settle into their archetypal characters. Thus, some fans’ favorite moments of both shows are when Ray Barone and Doug Heffernan exist in the same comedy universe.
This episode is a fan-favorite because it explicitly shows the stark differences between Ray and his older brother, Robert. After moving into his swanky new apartment, Robert’s girlfriend, Amy, is keen to give his place a feminine touch. Although Robert is happy for her to make the new house a home, Ray plants the seed that Amy is trying to overtake his life. Of course, this forces Robert to completely freak out, and the couple split up. As such, Ray is forced to face the brunt of his disappointed family as he tries to convince the couple that living together can be a good thing.
Admittedly, Doug doesn’t exactly make a grand entrance in this episode, but he does a great job of distinguishing himself from Kevin. In this episode, he arrives in his signature IPS uniform and shows off his charismatic and slightly awkward persona. Thus, fans are instantly aware that Kevin James has shaken off his old character and is ready to bring Doug into the Barones’ reality.Doug Heffernan is blessed to have a ton of supportive friends, including Spencer and Deacon. But, it could be argued that he doesn’t always treat them with the same kindness he receives. In “Rayny Day,” Ritchie is eager to discuss his painful divorce and is desperate for a shoulder to cry on. Instead of helping him out, Doug feels it’s best to play a round of golf at a private club with his new best friend, Ray. Not to mention, Marie makes an appearance in this episode and gives Doug’s wife, Carrie, a detailed lesson in homemaking.
Even though this episode appears halfway through the first season, it works to give the audience a better idea of the type of controversial character Doug is. His relationship with Ray is pretty premature at this point, but he’s desperate to impress and draw closer to the famous sportswriter. As such, the audience is already pretty aware that the men are like two peas in a pod: selfish and flippant. The best part of this episode is arguably Marie, who definitely meets her match with Carrie. While Debra is willing to transform herself into a doormat in the presence of her mother-in-law, Carrie isn’t afraid to tell her how it is.
