We are introduced to Vivienne Vyle and her Jerry Springer-esque style chat show. Whilst on her show she reveals the negative result of a paternity test to which the wronged man starts a ruckus leading to an overweight security guard falling on Vivienne, sending her straight to the hospital. We meet her behind the scenes crew- Helena, the producer from hell whose baby only speaks Spanish because she spends more time with her nanny than her own mum, young show runner Abigail (who is sacked, reinstated, and never seen again after this episode), Dr. Jonathan Fowler, the show's new resident psychologist, Carol, the floor manager, Des, the show director, Damien, the show's researcher and the one responsible for "preparing" guests to go on stage, and last but not least, Jared, Vivienne's gay husband and biggest cheerleader.
Vivienne and Jared start the day arguing about plumbing problems and Vivienne runs out the door before Jared can do his customary argument-ending ritual: ringing a bell like a train porter. This is only the beginning of a bad day for Vivienne, who starts the day off with an interview with a tabloid vampire that calls her a washed up weather girl and a one trick pony in addition to calling Jared "a kept man". High strung Helena, upset that her actress sister won a Hollywood film role, throws her cell phone- which intersects with Carol's forehead.
The morning after the TV-Pick awards Vivienne cannot get out of bed. She is faint, sick, and uncharacteristically absent from work for the day. Concerned, Dr. Jonathan and Helena teleconference with her at home though Jared is more of a hindrance than a help as he fawns over Vivienne and complains that she shouldn't be bothered. No worries though, Dr. Jonathan determines that Vivienne's problems are psychological and sets out to fix her. Dr. Jonathan and Helena share a secret kiss.
This time it is Jared who is the center of attention as a journalist for The Daily Mail is sniffing out proof of his attendance at a wild gay party where a teenage rent boy died. As Miriam conducts damage control, The Vivienne Vyle Show readies for the special final show of the year, the first ever live Vivienne Vyle Show.