Debra’s Fake Boob Job

Daily writing prompt

What movies or TV series have you watched more than 5 times?

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…Has to be one of the funniest episodes (S4E1) of Everybody Loves Raymond, a hit TV sitcom from the mid-90s to the early 2000s.

What makes this show is the writing, the character development, the chemistry between the actors. Long-suffering wife Debra (Patricia Heaton) is plagued by two things: Her shrewish Mother in Law, Marie (Doris Roberts); and her sex-crazed husband, Raymond (Ray Ramano). Rounding out the cast is her boorish Father in Law (Peter Boyle) and Ray’s jealous/insecure brother Robert (Brad Garrett).

In the subject episode, Debra and Ray attend a PTA meeting. A friend of Debra…who’s just had a breast augmentation procedure…drifts by. She’s wearing a low-cut dress and later at home, Debra asks Ray if “she’s big enough.” Ray sees his opportunity but takes a cautious approach. “Well,” he says in measured tones. “I think you’re great. But of course, it all what makes YOU comfortable.” He leaves the next day for an week-long business trip.

The family is waiting for Ray’s return. Debra comes downstairs and everybody does a triple take. She appears to have had breast augmentation done and she’s wearing a low cut dress. Ray walks in, suitcase in hand, and he’s bug-eyed; he practically shoves the family…who lives across the street…out the door as Debra crooks her finger at the base of the stairs.

In the bedroom, Ray is like a kid on Christmas morning. Debra pulls him close, kisses him, steps back…and pulls socks from her bra. Ray is stunned.

“That’s ALL it is for you, isn’t it?” she yells. Ray is speechless. Debra vents her spleen as Ray cowers…just an object to you…you don’t care about ME…all that matters is YOU. Ray is backed up against the nightstand and cringes as Debra unloads.

It ends on a positive note; Ray accepts that Debra is more than just an object for his pleasure and expresses his remorse. Debra feels vindicated and they embrace as the closing theme music begins.

There are so many other hilarious episodes, I can’t even start. But they all revolve around the family dynamics of the five main characters and their various flaws. Definitely worth a watch.

Movies: My Cousin Vinny. Again, the writing makes this memorable. It’s a hilarious culture clash between brash NY attorney Vincent Gambini (Joe Pesci) and the Southern legal system. Marisa Tomei won an Oscar for her portrayal as Pesci’s hairdresser financee who is reluctantly called to the witness stand as an automotive expert and grilled by the DA. “Da two utes” is an expression from the movie that made it into pop culture. I’ve watched it multiple times and it’s still funny.