Andy Millman (Ricky Gervais) has achieved a degree of fame and fortune through his high rating sitcom 'When the Whistle Blows', but critical acclaim and respect are proving elusive. Andy can't help but wonder if true artistic respectability will ever come his way. He decides to take drastic measures by firing his loyal but useless agent Darren (Stephen Merchant) and then pulls the plug on his hit show, turning down roles he considers to be 'beneath him'.

Meanwhile, his best friend Maggie (Ashley Jensen), who admires the small measure of fame that Andy has achieved, is still a struggling extra and finds Andy's growing discontentment hard to fathom.

It isn't long before Andy begins to wonder: is success really worth it?