Everybody Loves Raymond is not my favorite sitcom, but it's funny enough that I keep watching it.
One thing I don't get though: Raymond's parents are obviously a huge drain on Raymond and Debra's energy, and highly abrasive to their nerves. Understandable, I know I would never stand for those parents for a day. So why don't they just kick them out? Just march them nicely to the door and say: "OK now, you can come back at Christmas. You'll have four hours then. If you behave nicely."
In real life too, many people will put up with anything for any length of time, from people they don't even like! Why? Usually the worst thing that can happen is that the people will never speak to them again, and isn't that a step up? I don't get it, I never did.
And strangely, we'll most spontaneously say very hurtful words to those closest to us. Those most familiar, and usually most loved. As if manners vanished with familiarity. How many people talk to their loving wife in a manner they wouldn't dare displaying with a housemaid?
ReplyDeleteSome things should definitely be taught in school. Much more useful than memorizing how much steel Zambia produced in 1976, for example! One can live without knowing the first thing about Shakespeare or Geography (one can even become President of the USA!), but basic friendliness is vital in life. (Unless maybe you've inherited a few billion dollars, and yet it won't hurt you.)
Some are apparently more in need of being tied in to family than others. I think it's kind of "karmic" as well. Many feel a "sacred duty" toward parents, and it is certainly what our culture teaches. When I was married, we moved in with my mother in law for 5 years, to "help her, and to be with her until the end." (she let on that she might by dying.) only it proved the end of our marriage, and she is vibrant as ever.
ReplyDeleteThat said, some people just feel a very deep obligation to live with parents, and it really can't be judged, but it is not a mandate from heaven, thank God.
(honor your parents, yes, live with them forever, no).
Laurie
"only it proved the end of our marriage, and she is vibrant as ever"
ReplyDeleteYou know, this sounds like a good story for an ironic social comedy. You could write a scenario for Hollywood, à la "Meet the Parents", and make money with it. The success could be a consolation to you.
(honor your parents, yes, live with them forever, no).
ReplyDeleteLaurie
I agree with you darling. Life with parents even as grown ups can be tough. I did like the show. Cept I didn't like the woman who played his wife. She seemed like she always wore a chasity belt. No?
The actress was actually pregnant three times during the run of the series!
ReplyDeleteLooks like her husband really Loves Mrs Raymond. :-)
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to see that women today are less often forced to choose between having children and having a job.
In some countries, at least.
eolake said...
ReplyDeleteThe actress was actually pregnant three times during the run of the series!
wow, I never knew that. three times? they hid it very nicely huh?
Yes, they are very clever.
ReplyDeleteI actually did spot it once. (Season three I think.)
They have her wear very loose shirts, and/or have her sit behind tables, and such.
I'm sure some women you just can't hide it if they are not behind something.
Why hide it? They should've just fitted it in the script, end of story. Bearing life is so beautiful and poetic, so... sweet!
ReplyDeleteMight even make it worth the hassle of being born a woman in a male-dominated world. Perhaps.
Why hide it? They should've just fitted it in the script.
ReplyDeletePascal, I think they already had like 2 0r 3 kids already in the show. They didn't need anymore additions. (But some television shows have done that. Using real pregnancies as part of the script.)
Mr. Nobody, did you take that name from the character in Grant Morrison's Doom Patrol?
ReplyDeleteeolake said...
ReplyDeleteMr. Nobody, did you take that name from the character in Grant Morrison's Doom Patrol?
I took it from an old Lost in Space episode called "My Friend, Mr. Nobody."
One of my most beloved shows growing up. I loved The Space Family Robinsons and the robot and even Dr. Smith :)
"They didn't need anymore additions."
ReplyDeleteRight. Or they would've had to rename the show "Everybody Loves Kids". :-D
I took it from an old Lost in Space episode called "My Friend, Mr. Nobody."
I would've guessed it came from the Odyssey. Ulysses' ruse with the Cyclops. Maybe Lost in Space took it from there?...
There's an old manga anime series that was called "Ulysses 31". A sci-fi version of the story of Ulysses, set in the 31st century.
Hard to know where coincidences end and inspiration begins sometimes.
I took it from an old Lost in Space episode called "My Friend, Mr. Nobody."
ReplyDeleteYes Pascal,
Inspiration comes from many different areas of life including old shows we grew up with. That particular episode was so enduring to me and thought provoking, I thought of myself as the spirit who didn't understand everything but yet was kind and loving.
Another episode was, "The Magic Mirror." It was sad and overwhelming to me.
Though LIS only ran three years I still love watching those old episodes. It was about love and family. I know it was campy at times but the first season had many wonderful "moral" issues of the heart.
The heart is a wonderful instrument, yet it can also get you in trouble but like the tin man in the Wizard of Oz (another classic) I'd rather have one than do without.
Hard to know where coincidences end and inspiration begins sometimes.
ReplyDeleteVery well put Pascal.
Not to mention parodic tribute. Lots of that in The Simpsons, for instance. :-)))
ReplyDeleteI'm currently undergoing intensive training in that domain. (More details to come in a few months, hopefully.)
Pascal said...
ReplyDeleteNot to mention parodic tribute. Lots of that in The Simpsons, for instance. :-)))
I love the Simpsons myself.