TV producer Mickey Wagner has a revolutionary idea: a reality show that's actually real. He selects the Warwick family and places them under surveillance. But, turns out they're boring. Mickey begins to interfere with the Warwicks.
Mickey continues to feel mounting pressure from the network as an affiliates dinner is fast approaching and they need something to sell to advertisers. Yielding to pressure from the network to get these people to do something…anything…that will keep viewers from changing the channel, or face the disgrace of his show being cancelled, Mickey interferes with the Warwicks anniversary dinner and sets their teenage daughter Amy up for a night she will never forget. But will it be enough, for the network to leave Mickey alone and let him return to making reality that is actually real?
Good news, the network LOVES the sizzle reel and advertisers are clamoring to be a part of this show. The network has just nabbed some pretty impressive product placement deals and they insist that Mickey figure out a way to manipulate things so that the Warwicks are seen on camera using the items. Forced to comply, Mickey surreptitiously integrates the products into the show. Disaster strikes quickly as Amy is accidentally poisoned by one of the products. Mickey and his team sit watching through their all seeing eye, wrestling between the urge to save her life and the desire to not ruin their show.
With the spectacular footage of Amy’s near death and the drama that ensues, Mickey is beginning to embrace the idea that maybe all this boring family needed was a little push. After all, with just a quick text that Amy’s BFF Stacy believed was from Amy’s boyfriend Mike, the floodgates of their passion have erupted behind Amy’s back. Katherine is suspicious of Dennis because of a box of condoms that mysteriously appeared in his gym bag and Dennis finds himself in trouble at work because of some “errors” found in his accounting. The show is really picking up steam…Before this episode is over, things will completely unravel for Amy when she discovers the secret Stacy and Mike have been keeping.
Dennis has a heartbroken teenage daughter to deal with at home. Mickey sees this as a golden opportunity; he employs Yvonne, an actress, to enroll in Amy’s school with one goal, to help nudge Amy off her goody-goody path. Mickey’s meddling at Dennis’ work yields better footage than predicted when Dennis is suddenly fired. Try as he might to find another job, Mickey uses his trickery to make sure Dennis stays unemployed…it’s better for the show. Yvonne quickly bonds with Amy, as the two become fast friends. Yvonne’s bad influence is starting to take effect as evidenced by Amy’s recent behavior; drinking in school, cutting class, fighting with Stacy and getting suspended for 3 days. Dennis and Katherine are in shock. The stress of his home life, and his firing, lead to what Mickey hopes will finally be an extramarital affair for Dennis.
Mickey and the network are pissed that Dennis refuses to take the bait and cheat on his wife. The network tells Mickey he better figure something out and fast. Mickey feels that even though Dennis won’t stray, maybe he can manipulate things to get Katherine to cheat. She’s been frustrated lately and may be open to the opportunity. Mickey stages a situation where Katherine bumps into Chad, the hunky masseuse Mickey used earlier in the show. Amy is furious she’s still grounded and defiantly sneaks out of the house at night to go out partying with Yvonne. They make a stop at Yvonne’s sleazy friend Eddie’s place to make some quick spending cash for the evening.
Mickey’s attempts to win his ex girlfriend back are fruitless and his obsession with her is clouding his professional life. To add insult to injury, the network president who bought the show has been fired and the new network administration wants to give the show a happy ending. Mickey is furious. Meanwhile the Warwicks couldn’t be more at odds. Katherine is seeking comfort with Chad, Dennis is emasculated and Amy is in even more trouble at school. Mickey complies with the network’s demands with a brilliant idea…a missing dog will definitely bring this fragmented family back together again. After all, it worked the last time. But this time, Mickey’s incompetent assistants let the dog slip through their fingers and what was supposed to be a happy ending, turns out to be anything but.
Enraged by all the dysfunction, Katherine kicks Dennis out and Amy runs away from home. Amy runs to Yvonne for solace only to feel betrayed when Mike reveals that her and Yvonne’s private picture party with Eddie is now plastered all over the internet. Dennis is about to end it all after he discovers that Katherine is having an affair. But that is not the worst of it, as he holds Katherine’s lover at gunpoint it’s revealed to him that all their recent trouble was a massive manipulation…it’s all been for a reality show.