I Wish I Were Gus

I Wish I Were Gus
Ray in "I Wish I Were Gus"
Season	1
Episode	3
Air Date	September 27, 1996 (USA) September 7, 2004 (Canada)
Cast	Ray Romano Patricia Heaton Brad Garrett Doris Roberts Peter Boyle Madylin Sweeten Sawyer Sweeten Sullivan Sweeten Jean Stapleton Hugh Holub Joey Dente Marlena Carmen Filpi
Director(s)	Paul Lazarus
Writer(s)	Kathy Ann Stumpe
Preceded by	I Love You
Followed by	Standard Deviation

I Wish I Were Gus is the 3^rd episode of Season 1, and is episode 3 of the full 210 episodes for the entire series. In this episode, Ray has two problems to deal with. He has to give Gus' eulogy, and at the same time deal with the fight between his mother and his aunt Alda.

Episode Information

• Episode Title: I Wish I Were Gus
• Episode Number: Season 1, Episode 3 (#3 of 210)
• Air Date: September 27, 1996
• Episode description (from DVD): "Ray's Uncle Gus dies, and his Will states that Ray, who fears speaking in public, is to read his eulogy. Meanwhile, Marie is upset because her estranged sister, Alda, is coming to the funeral."
• Cast:
  • Ray Romano as Ray
  • Patricia Heaton as Debra
  • Brad Garrett as Robert
  • Doris Roberts as Marie
  • Peter Boyle as Frank
  • Madylin Sweeten as Ally
  • Sawyer Sweeten as Geoffrey
  • Sullivan Sweeten as Michael
• Guest Stars:
  • Jean Stapleton as Alda
  • Hugh Holub as Funeral Director
  • Joey Dente as Audience Member
  • Marlena as Member of Family
  • Carmen Filpi as Ancient Guy
• Crew:
  • Paul Lazarus - Director
  • Kathy Ann Stumpe - Writer
• Preceded by: "I Love You"
• Followed by: "Standard Deviation"

Synopsis

The episode begins with Frank telling Ray that his great uncle Gus died, and he wanted Ray to give his eulogy. Ray, who doesn't like speaking in front of people, is afraid to do it. Then Marie comes in and says she's not going to the funeral because her sister Alda is going to be there.

It's then explained that Marie had put Alda at a table all the way across the room at Ray and Debra's wedding, so Alda has been mad about that ever since, which caused the friction between Marie and Alda.

Later, Marie ends up going to the funeral and she butts heads with her sister. They argue and make a big scene before Ray gives the eulogy. Even during the eulogy, which Ray is struggling with delivering, Marie and Alda are constantly bickering.

After the eulogy, Ray takes Marie and Alda outside and sits them down. He talks to them and they eventually make up with each other. But then Debra steps in and asks why Alda ruined her wedding all those years ago. That then sparks the conflict between Marie and Alda yet again.

Running Gags

• This is one of many early episodes in the series that shows Robert's excessive quirkiness. He separates his peanuts, almonds and cashews, as well as making deep braying noises during funerals.

Trivia

• There's a gag in this episode that has no relevance to the main story of the episode. Ally takes a black marker and draws an Adolf Hitler type of mustache on one of the twins. Of course, the marker doesn't wash off. So when the Barone family gets to the funeral, they walk past some old World War II veterans, one of which freaks out at the sight of the Hitler look-a-like.

• This was the first episode to reveal Hollywood Center Studios' production staff.
• This and the last episode had HBO Independent Productions play its audio fully, with the last flickering cut off starting in the next episode.

Production notes

• By production order, this is the fourth episode of the first season.

Quotes

• FRANK: Can Hitler have a juice box?

• RAY: You two are sisters. Family should talk.
• MARIE: Like you and Robert?
• RAY: We talk. A lot of that just goes unspoken.

• RAY: (in regards to Uncle Gus) I always felt like I was his grandson.
• FRANK: He wants you to deliver his eulogy.
• RAY: What?! I hardly knew the guy!
• FRANK: It was his dying wish.
• ROBERT: Even dead people love Raymond.

External links

• "I Wish I Were Gus" at IMDb.com