Least favorite episodes?

I don't like Hungry Man at all, mainly because it doesn't fit how Doug would behave in other episodes. Obviously the situations in that episode are deliberately contrived to create a humorous scenario, but it is just too unrealistic to think that Doug couldn't have grabbed a snack at any point. Carrie didn't even know he was coming, so he wouldn't have been considered late had he just stopped for some food before getting to the apartment. I guess the excuse is that he thought it was a dinner party, but it turned out to be just drinks.

But it's his sheer desperation and behaviour, it's too much. I'm sure we have all been in a situation where we have missed a meal and are ravenous, but surely none of us would resort to eating a whole pack of mints belonging to a stranger and then eating raw eggs. Surely he could have waited a couple of hours and then gone nuts at a drive thru on the way home.

There are some weak episodes, most of which are already mentioned.

For me, they include:

* some of the early episodes (Season 1);

* some of the late episodes (Season 9);

* the paintball episode;

* the "Hungry Man" episode;

* the Thanksgiving supermarket shopping episode;

* most of the Ray Romano episodes; and

* a few others, here and there.

But I also notice that even the "bad" episodes have some hysterical scenes or lines thrown in there.

Also: good point about the "on location" issue. I think they get so focused (and excited) about being "away" from the set. And they think that they audience is going to get so excited about it, too. (In reality, the audience couldn't care less, most likely.) So, the producers/writers/actors focus less on the quality/humor of that episode.

And guest stars seem to be a ploy that detracts from -- rather than adds to -- the quality and the humor. Although I thought that Kirstie Alley was quite hysterical. Her episode, "Apartment Complex", is in my Top Ten or even Top Five.

Yes, I agree that "Inner Tube" is not funny, but "Better Camera" is worse, the way Doug carried on about that cheap camera he bought Carrie for Christmas, could have been written a lot better.

Inner tube, silent mite and the thanksgiving episode where they let the stranger inside to use the bathroom he then locked them out and robbed them.

I am usually disconnected to episodes where sports play a part in the plot. Except for bowling, those are funny.

Is it Kirbed Enthusiasm, where Doug coaches Kirby's football team? boring.

I also don't get into Paint Misbehavin'. Or the one where Doug is a Big Brother. That kid is such a dullard.

But it's true, even the worst episodes have funny moments.

Gee Woodle, Space Kadoodle!

I'm obviously in the minority here, but I like "Hungry Man"! Yes, it's contrived, and I wouldn't put it in my top 10, but it has many hilarious moments. One episode I really dislike is also food-related ... the one where Doug becomes a vegetarian. Totally out of character -- and not in a funny way.

Any episode involving the Saskey's. The woman's voice is SO irritating. The gynecologist episode. The season 1 Christmas episode where Arthur somehow bought Doug and Carrie a car and then they ditched it. I didn't care for the Richie character either. The paint ball episode. Seems like a lot of people hate that one. It's boring and not funny. And the season finale.

Oooooooookay, let's see:

The aforementioned "Hungry Man". I know it's a largely irreverent comedy, but Doug completely losing his sanity and getting out of control because he can't wait an hour or so to eat? Way to over the top, even for him, and not funny. Not to mention that at this early point in the series it was pretty much out of character for him to act like that.

"Major Disturbance". Possible contender for my least favorite of the series; this is my "change the channel when it comes on" episode. I've always found Deacon's kids a bit annoying (like father, like sons, perhaps? Never mind, different topic), but Doug's obsession and idiotic actions really make this a tiresome episode. Carrie assaulting Doug at the end (by real world standards, that's what it was — assault) seals it. Never liked that double standard; would the audience be laughing if their positions were reversed?

"Like Hell". I always seem to catch this one, and it's yet another one where Doug is painful, similar to "Major Disturbance". Doug becomes obsessed with something and does a bunch of moronic stuff trying to get his way while annoying and inconveniencing everyone around him, instead of going for the incredibly obvious solution (want to get invited to the guy's barbecue? Try — oh, I don't know — asking him? Before you freak him out and he doesn't want you near him?) Carrie's subplot was kind of cringeworthy too, at least the end of it.

Those stand out to me at the moment, but there are more.