From “Frank’s Tribute” to “She’s the One” in season 7, here are the most entertainingly weird episodes of the hit show Everybody Loves Raymond.
The family sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond has been regarded for the hilarious and zany characters that comprise the Barone family and company. Yet, part of the reason for the show’s popularity was its range of particularly weird, off-the-wall, episodes.
The unique living conditions – Ray’s parents living right across the street – and some pretty eccentric characters often set the stage for some wacky premises. And typically, Raymond’s most absurd, silly, and unpredictable moments tend to be some of the funniest. With that said, let’s take a look at 10 of the most hilariously-strange episodes ever.
Frank’s Tribute (S03 E16)
Everybody Loves Raymond Frank and Marie sitting on the couch
Viewers know they’re in for a pretty fun and amusing time with episodes centered around the cynical, wise-cracking father of Ray. This season 3 episode certainly doesn’t disappoint, as it features some particularly funny moments involving Frank.
Ray and Robert are tasked with creating a tribute video for the purpose of Frank’s “Man of the Year” election at his lodge. There’s only one problem – he’s not exactly the most well-liked person. The solution? Frank’s sons decide to get creative and cobble together a video with some deceptive editing. The result is a hilariously weird, awkward short with shirtless men at the lodge seemingly praising Frank – though it’s revealed that they’re actually asked about chocolate.
A Date For Peter (S09 E09)
Peter MacDougall and Peggy in Everybody Loves Raymond
Beyond the fact that this episode revolves around Robert’s rather quirky brother-in-law, it also entertains a pretty bizarre premise.
Yes, it would seem that Ray’s self-proclaimed “arch-enemy” Peggy, not only gets invited to a Barone house party but actually hits it off with Peter. Sure, the heart wants what it wants – but one can’t help but scratch their head at the peculiar – albeit funny – pairing of these two unlikely lovers. Add Ray’s over-the-top tantrum into the mix as he tries to break the two up, and this one really gets wacky.
Moving Out (S03 E07)
As is the case with Frank, the always-amusing Robert usually brings plenty of humor to episodes centered around him. Season 3’s “Moving Out” is a prime example of his notion. Viewers learn that Robert has finally moved out of Frank and Marie’s house – the first time since his divorce.
Yet, he’s clearly not ready to actually move on – as Ray ends up visiting him at a room he’s renting. Oddly enough, the tenants happen to be an older couple who bears an uncanny resemblance to their parents in demeanor. They essentially act like his parents too, scolding him and cooking him meals – and reside in a home quite similar to Frank and Marie’s.
The Can Opener (S04 E02)
everybody loves raymond Can Opener Robert
Flashback episodes can be fun, silly, and generally unpredictable romps – and this one certainly fits the description. The basic premise is fairly goofy on its own. It’s centered around an apparently big fight involving the most trivial of subjects; a can-opener.
The episode shows two juxtaposing flashbacks that outline the events leading up to an argument between Ray and Debra, cleverly displayed from the biased lens of each. It’s both amusing and bizarre seeing the same story play out in two very distinct ways, white witnessing Ray and Debra behave in vastly different ways.
Pet Cemetery (S05 E05)
everybody loves raymond Pumpernickel Marie Frank
One need only look at the basic plot of this one to understand its goofiness. It’s centered around the aftermath of an unfortunate accident involving Ally’s pet hamster, Pumpernickel. As Robert delicately puts it, “Pumpernickel sleeps with the fish sticks” after being trapped inside a freezer.
Naturally, this leads to some pretty humorous banter and typical Barone wackiness, as the family hashes out a plan. Ray tries to trick Ally by swapping him out with a new hamster, but she catches on, leading to a surprisingly-emotional hamster funeral in the back yard.
Robert’s Date (S03 E15)
everybody loves raymond Robert’s Date Suit
Another Robert-centric classic has to be “Robert’s Date,” which features the uptight cop going clubbing with his partner Judy. Being the impressionable person he is, Robert begins changing his demeanor and acting, as Ray puts it, “ethnic” in order to fit in with the company he’s keeping.
Highlights include Robert’s overtly-stiff, awkward dancing at the club, and his appearance in a suit that looks to have come from the “Little Shop of Horrors” as Ray says.
Lucky Suit (S06 E16)
Everybody Loves Raymond Marie Robert’s Lucky Suit Robert looking angrily at Marie
Speaking of suits, this laugher involves a favored clothing item for Robert that apparently grants him luck. Unfortunately for him, Marie happens to ruin his so-called “lucky suit” at the absolute worst time – on the morning of a super-important job interview with the FBI.
This setback throws Robert off his game, as he stumbles through what turns out to be a pretty awkward interview. It starts when he’s overheard essentially cursing out his replacement suit, and things go downhill from there. But it only gets sillier – as Marie decides to go into the FBI office and practically beg for them to hire her son.
Marie’s Sculpture (S06 E05)
everybody loves raymond Marie’s Sculpture
Many can relate to the experience of having to deal with a gift that, for one reason or another, isn’t too ideal. Raymond takes this to the nth degree and dials of the wackiness, with the comedy classic known as “Marie’s Sculpture.”
In it, Ray’s mother presents a rather suggestive sculpture to Ray and Debra as a gift. While it’s supposed to be abstract, it fairly clearly resembles, erm, “female anatomy.” What follows are some humorous and awkward scenes involving a distressed Ray and Debra – with Frank obsessively staring at it in the distance.
Hackidu (S04 E17)
everybody loves raymond Hackidu Comic Shop Paul Reubens
One wouldn’t expect the plot of a sitcom episode to revolve around a Pokémon knockoff, but such is the silly, often unconventional nature of Raymond. Thanks to this unique premise, and an amusing guest performance by Paul Reubens as Amy’s brother, “Hackidu” has become a fan-favorite and comedic gem.
Ray visits a comic book store and meets Amy’s zany and rather geeky sibling, as he tries to score a rare Hackidu card for Ally. What follows is some hilarious back-and-forth banter between these two eccentric men.
She’s The One (S07 E09)
Everybody Loves Raymond Frog Lady She’s the One Rober
Robert’s had his share of tough breaks when it comes to relationships, but one of the most memorably weird is season 7’s “She’s the One.” Put simply, there’s a reason this is IMDb’s top-rated episode of Raymond.
One can’t help but wonder how the notion of a fly-eating “frog lady” was thought up in the writers’ room. One of Raymond’s most iconic, wacky moments has to be the reveal of his love interest’s bedroom, which is chock-full of frogs. Even funnier is Robert’s desperate attempt to flee through the window, as the woman informs him “we all come from frogs.”
