Cabaret singer Ellie Riggs deals with an overflowing toilet as she tries to get ready for a concert. In the process, a neighbor gets knocked unconscious while trying to help.
Ellie (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) and her band are preparing to sing at the wedding of her childhood friend Diane when she suddenly realizes the song Diane wrote to her husband is in the back of Ben's (Darren Boyd) car, which is about to be towed away.
Ellie s (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) elaborate dinner party becomes a disaster when her sister (Lauren Bowles) cancels and Ben (Darren Boyd) invites Dr. Zimmerman (Don Lake) and Ingvar (Peter Stormare) to join them. Meanwhile, Dr. Zimmerman brings home a dog from the animal hospital and runs off with Ellie s roast beef, Ingvar and Ben give chase.
After an earthquake, Ellie is inundated with visitors, including Edgar who's decided he can't live without her, Ben who's excited about his first earthquake, and Ingvar who needs to evacuate the building but not before he give Ellie a gift.
After taking Dr. Zimmerman's (Don Lake) cold medicine cocktail, Ellie (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) is suddenly reminded of her band's gig that evening and has to find a way to get there. But when the effects of the medicine make her feel euphoric, she starts saying things to Ingvar (Peter Stormare) and her boyfriend Ben (Darren Boyd) that she may later regret.
Ellie (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) and Ben (Darren Boyd) are finally able to spend a weekend alone, but while Ben is content to lie around and watch television, Ellie is privately disappointed that their time together isn't more "magical."
Already depressed by a very slow gig and wondering if she's ever going to realize her dream of stardom, Ellie (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) goes over the edge when Ben (Darren Boyd) promises Dr. Zimmerman (Don Lake) he can sing with the band. However, her efforts to talk the veterinarian out of performing may become unnecessary when his sudden attack of stage fright won't let him leave the club bathroom.
