2008
Diagnosed with a terminal illness, famous comedian George Simmons hires aspiring comedian Ira Wright, who encourages him to reconnect with his ex-girlfriend Laura. George and Laura rekindle their romance, leading to an affair that complicates her marriage and strains George's friendship with Ira. After learning his diagnosis was a misdiagnosis, George's self-centered behavior further sours his relationship with Ira, leading to their separation following Laura's decision to stay with her husband. George eventually visits Ira at his deli job, and the two reconcile, hinting at a renewed friendship and professional collaboration.
Save the Cat beat sheet
George Simmons is a successful comedian facing a terminal diagnosis.
Open full beat sheetGeorge Simmons is listed as Famous Comedian. 42-year-old comedian, recently diagnosed with a rare blood disorder, bored and lonely. In the parsed data, George Simmons is connected to 90 scenes, 70 dialogue lines, 71 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
90 scenes / 70 dialogue linesIra is listed as Aspiring Comedian / Deli Worker. 25-year-old aspiring comedian working at a deli counter. In the parsed data, Ira is connected to 86 scenes, 49 dialogue lines, 50 text mentions, first appearing around scene 13.
86 scenes / 49 dialogue linesLaura is listed as George's Ex-Girlfriend. George's former love interest, now married with children. In the parsed data, Laura is connected to 25 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 12 text mentions, first appearing around scene 47.
25 scenes / 8 dialogue linesLeo is listed as Aspiring Comedian / Roommate. Ira's roommate and fellow aspiring comedian. In the parsed data, Leo is connected to 11 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 49.
11 scenes / 3 dialogue linesMark is listed as Sitcom Actor / Roommate. Ira's roommate, stars in a successful but critically panned TV show. In the parsed data, Mark is connected to 11 scenes, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 16.
11 scenes / 0 dialogue linesClarke is listed as Laura's Husband. Successful businessman, Laura's husband. In the parsed data, Clarke is connected to 9 scenes, 17 dialogue lines, 20 text mentions, first appearing around scene 91.
9 scenes / 17 dialogue linesDaisy is listed as Comic. Alternative-feeling girl in her early twenties, neighbor. In the parsed data, Daisy is connected to 9 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 71.
9 scenes / 1 dialogue linesChuck is listed as Deli Counter Worker. 45-year-old deli counter lifer. In the parsed data, Chuck is connected to 6 scenes, first appearing around scene 13.
6 scenes / 0 dialogue linesDoctor Stevens is listed as Physician. George's doctor who delivers the diagnosis. In the parsed data, Doctor Stevens is connected to 2 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 10.
2 scenes / 2 dialogue linesGeorge Simmons watches TV alone, feeling bored and empty, then calls someone to announce he is coming in.
George SimmonsGeorge performs stand-up comedy to an adoring crowd.
George SimmonsGeorge has sex with a young woman.
George SimmonsGeorge returns home, still feeling bored and alone.
George SimmonsGeorge wakes up in his cold, impersonal house.
George SimmonsGeorge practices golf in his batting cage.
George SimmonsGeorge takes a shower.
George SimmonsGeorge drives his car.
George SimmonsGeorge is approached by fans for photos.
George SimmonsGeorge receives a medical diagnosis from Doctor Stevens.
George Simmons, Doctor StevensGeorge leaves the office in a daze and is stopped by more fans.
George SimmonsGeorge drives home while processing the doctor's words.
George SimmonsIra works at the deli counter and deals with a difficult customer.
Ira, ChuckIra and Chuck discuss Ira's stand-up career.
Ira, ChuckGeorge reflects on his life and career.
George SimmonsIra and Leo brainstorm jokes.
Ira, Leo, MarkMark introduces Ira to Daisy.
Ira, Mark, DaisyLeo performs, and George Simmons makes a surprise appearance.
George Simmons, Ira, Leo, ChuckGeorge and Ira meet in the parking lot.
George Simmons, IraGeorge calls Ira to hire him as a joke writer.
George Simmons, Ira, Leo, MarkIra writes jokes for George.
IraGeorge calls Ira to discuss the jokes.
George Simmons, IraIra waits for George to pick him up.
Ira, Leo, MarkIra gets into the limo with George.
George Simmons, IraGeorge and Ira fly to the gig.
George Simmons, IraIra and George prepare for the corporate gig.
George Simmons, IraIra and George perform at the corporate event.
George Simmons, IraGeorge and Ira fly back.
George Simmons, IraGeorge and Ira go to a bar.
George Simmons, IraGeorge brings women home.
George Simmons, IraGeorge has sex with Mandy.
George SimmonsGeorge continues to manipulate the situation.
George Simmons, IraIra is left alone.
George Simmons, IraGeorge and Ira talk in the bedroom.
George Simmons, IraGeorge and Ira write jokes together; Ira suggests George do material about his illness, but George refuses.
George Simmons, IraGeorge and Ira perform sets.
George Simmons, IraGeorge makes prank calls while Ira listens.
George Simmons, IraIra visits George, who is feeling sick; George suggests Ira quit his deli job.
George Simmons, IraIra quits his job at the deli counter.
Ira, ChuckIra asks Daisy to a concert.
Ira, DaisyIra observes George making more prank calls.
George Simmons, IraIra urges George to tell people about his condition; they both end up crying.
George Simmons, IraIra begins calling George's friends to tell them the news.
IraGeorge tells his friends about his illness.
George Simmons, IraGeorge expresses frustration to Ira about the process of telling people.
George Simmons, IraIra talks George to sleep; they discuss future plans.
George Simmons, IraGeorge talks to his ex-girlfriend Laura.
George Simmons, Ira, LauraGeorge and Laura discuss their past relationship and regrets while Ira watches from the kitchen.
George Simmons, Ira, LauraIra returns home to find Daisy and Mark together, leading to an awkward confrontation.
Ira, Leo, Mark, DaisyIra and Daisy have a heated argument about her sleeping with Mark.
Ira, DaisyIra confronts Mark about Daisy.
Ira, MarkGeorge and Ira go skiing.
George Simmons, IraGeorge and Ira watch old tapes of George's stand-up.
George Simmons, IraGeorge plays music with friends.
George SimmonsGeorge tells Ira he is going to the doctor.
George Simmons, IraDoctor Stevens tells George his blood work shows no traces of the disease.
George Simmons, Doctor StevensIra reacts to George's news.
George Simmons, IraGeorge thanks Ira and suggests they write a movie together.
George Simmons, IraIra discusses the movie deal with his mother and stepfather.
IraIra emails George about Thanksgiving.
Ira, Leo, MarkThanksgiving preparations.
Ira, Mark, DaisyGeorge arrives for Thanksgiving.
George Simmons, Leo, MarkThanksgiving dinner.
George Simmons, Ira, Leo, Mark, DaisyPost-dinner conversation.
George Simmons, Ira, Leo, Mark, DaisyLeo confronts Ira about the jokes.
Ira, LeoIra and George argue in the car.
George Simmons, IraIra moves into George's house.
George Simmons, IraGeorge watches TV.
George SimmonsGeorge meets with his agent.
George SimmonsGeorge and Ira work on a script.
George Simmons, IraGeorge goes on a blind date with Rachel Warwick and makes inappropriate jokes about his dating history and the Holocaust.
George Simmons, DaisyGeorge wakes Ira up to tell him he is opening for him at a theater gig.
George Simmons, IraIra drives George to the theater while George watches a movie in the back.
George Simmons, IraThe car arrives at the theater.
George Simmons, IraGeorge and Ira are shown the stage.
George Simmons, IraLaura visits George and Ira before the show.
George Simmons, Ira, LauraIra performs his set.
IraIra talks to Laura during intermission and tells her George is better.
Ira, LauraLaura congratulates George on his performance.
George Simmons, Ira, LauraGeorge and Ira discuss George's past with Laura.
George Simmons, IraYou should do something about how, when you date a girl, and you feel really good and she likes you, and then you see pictures of all her ex-boyfriends, and they're all really goofy-looking guys, and it's not that you're good looking, it's just that in this psychotic girl's eyes, you're good looking?
You're the only person I know who learned nothing from a near-death experience! You actually went backwards. All it did was it brought out what a prick you are, brought everything bad to the surface. I liked you better when I was sure you were gonna die.
I don't want to get your hopes up. We put you on this experimental medication without much optimism, but as of right now I don't see any traces of the disease in your blood work. I don't want to speak too soon, but we may have beaten this thing.
I just get bored and depressed. And you know how my PMS is kind of out of control. This little boy hit Ingrid in school, and his mom acted like she didn't care at all, so I told her to fuck off.
Yeah, but we're married. We're going to work through this shit. You should have waited until you were married to cheat. It buys you another chance.
I was going to talk about how I haven't had sex in so long, that I can't even remember my previous sexual experiences so I can masturbate to them.
You know, I never got married. I never had kids. I didn't get to do a lot of things I thought I would do. But I was pretty fucking funny, right?
I'm sorry. That was mean. Through ail of this, I want you to know something. I'm glad that you're not sick, and I understand. And I forgive you.
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