After bombing hard in front of the “powers that be” Charlie McStean questions his desire and talent as a stand-up comedian. Charlie might be a “starving artist”, but he has a healthy appetite for cheeseburgers, ice cream, and cocaine. Los Angeles is a hard place to live for the fat, broke, and sober. His parents don’t believe in his comedy and think it’s time their son give up on his “dream.” Maybe Charlie’s moment has passed.
Charlie’s best friend, Taylor, is one of Hollywood’s “beautiful people”, but Taylor’s beauty is only skin deep. The fact that they grew up together and the promise of meeting Taylor’s elusive agent, Thayer Flethcher, seems to be the only thing keeping their friendship alive. Charlie’s real friends are his brothers/sisters in arms at The Ha-Ha Hole, but he begins to notice that his fellow comics and his career are headed in two different directions. It’s McStean’s addictions that prevent him from mentoring budding comic, Dexter, befriending actress turned waitress, Anna, and touring with his hero, Ollie Daniels. It’s only club owner, Lou, who warns Charlie “not everyone loves a funny fat guy.” Charlie’s struggle shows us the pursuit of the “Hollywood Dream” can be a sunny nightmare and you’re all alone when you take the stage hoping the crowd is laughing with you and not at you.