2009
Childhood friends Ted, JT, and Wes invent the imaginary Ricky Stanicky to escape blame, continuing to use him as an excuse into adulthood, which makes their partners suspicious. To appease them, the trio hires eccentric actor Rod to impersonate Ricky, but Rod quickly integrates himself into their lives, charming everyone and escalating his antics. Rod's growing influence threatens to expose the lie, causing friction among the friends and jeopardizing Ted's relationship with Erin, leading Ted to attempt to expose Rod and get fired. Erin discovers the truth about Ricky Stanicky but reconciles with Ted after hearing a heartfelt message from Rod, who the friends later find performing in a theater, having embraced his acting career.
Save the Cat beat sheet
After a juvenile prank sparks an identity lie that resurfaces two decades later, Ted enlists an actor to impersonate the fictitious Ricky Stanicky to cover personal and professional embarrassments.
Open full beat sheetTed is listed as Protagonist. A man who has used a fake friend named Ricky Stanicky to escape responsibilities since childhood. In the parsed data, Ted is connected to 51 scenes, 64 dialogue lines, 78 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
51 scenes / 64 dialogue linesJT is listed as Friend. Ted's childhood friend and accomplice in the Ricky Stanicky ruse. In the parsed data, JT is connected to 33 scenes, 18 dialogue lines, 24 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
33 scenes / 18 dialogue linesRod is listed as Actor / Imposter. A struggling, eccentric actor hired to play the role of Ricky Stanicky. In the parsed data, Rod is connected to 32 scenes, 32 dialogue lines, 36 text mentions, first appearing around scene 23.
32 scenes / 32 dialogue linesWes is listed as Friend. Ted's childhood friend, often high, who helps maintain the Ricky Stanicky lie. In the parsed data, Wes is connected to 28 scenes, 14 dialogue lines, 15 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
28 scenes / 14 dialogue linesErin is listed as Ted's Girlfriend. Ted's intelligent and kind girlfriend who eventually discovers the truth. In the parsed data, Erin is connected to 15 scenes, 15 dialogue lines, 16 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.
15 scenes / 15 dialogue linesHarold Lambert is listed as Erin's Father / Boss. An imposing and demanding financial executive. In the parsed data, Harold Lambert is connected to 10 scenes, 21 dialogue lines, 21 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
10 scenes / 21 dialogue linesSusan is listed as JT's Wife. JT's wife who is suspicious of his behavior. In the parsed data, Susan is connected to 10 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 9 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.
10 scenes / 8 dialogue linesNana is listed as Wes's Grandmother. An elderly woman who is often high on medication. In the parsed data, Nana is connected to 2 scenes, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 19.
2 scenes / 0 dialogue linesThree boys, Ted, JT, and Wes, are in Halloween costumes in the woods, planning a prank.
Ted, JT, WesThe boys set a bag of dog poo on fire on a porch, which accidentally sets the house on fire.
Ted, JT, WesThe boys create the 'Ricky Stanicky' persona to avoid blame for the fire.
Ted, JT, WesThe fire chief finds the jacket and identifies the name 'Ricky Stanicky'.
Ted, JT, WesThe boys agree to never use the name again.
Ted, JT, Wes20 years later, Ted and Erin prepare for a dinner party while Ted receives a text from 'Ricky'.
Ted, Erin, JT, SusanTed and JT find Wes in the car, high.
Ted, JT, WesThe guys arrive at the airport.
Ted, JT, WesThe guys board their flight.
Ted, JT, WesThe plane flies over Las Vegas.
The guys arrive at the MGM Grand.
Ted, JT, WesThe guys watch a UFC fight.
Ted, JT, WesThe guys meet Rod, an eccentric actor.
Ted, JT, Wes, RodTed talks to Erin on the phone while the others wait.
Ted, JT, WesHarold Lambert addresses his employees.
Ted, JT, Harold LambertLambert intimidates Ted.
Ted, Harold LambertErin and Susan suggest inviting Ricky to Ted's birthday party.
Ted, JT, Wes, Erin, SusanThe guys discuss the problem of meeting the women's request.
Ted, JT, WesFlashback to Wes getting caught by Nana.
Wes, NanaTed, JT, and Wes discuss the risks of their Ricky Stanicky lie and the potential for discovery.
Ted, JT, WesRod is found in a trashed suite, hungover, and agrees to the job.
RodThe guys meet Rod at the airport and worry about his state.
Ted, JT, Wes, RodThe group begins prepping Rod for the role of Ricky Stanicky.
Ted, JT, Wes, RodRod struggles with physical training.
Ted, JT, Wes, RodRod performs a story about Ted to impress Erin and the group.
Ted, JT, Wes, Rod, Erin, SusanLambert reveals he has hired Rod as the new head of sales.
Ted, Rod, Harold LambertTed and Rod discuss Rod's new salary and corporate car while riding an elevator.
Ted, RodRod leads a meeting and pitches 'feel good investing' to Lambert.
Ted, JT, Rod, Harold LambertTed confronts Rod about the presentation.
Ted, RodTed sits alone in his office.
TedTed calls Erin and learns Rod is at their house.
Ted, Rod, Erin, Susan, NanaTed arrives home and sees Rod's new car.
TedTed confronts Rod about his presence at the house.
Ted, Rod, Erin, SusanThe group watches a movie; Ted is miserable.
Ted, JT, Wes, Rod, Erin, SusanTed, Wes, and JT discuss how to get rid of Rod.
Ted, JT, WesTed tries to tempt Rod with meat and alcohol.
Ted, JT, Wes, Rod, Erin, SusanTed manipulates Sarah into thinking Rod is interested in her.
Ted, RodRod burns his hand on the grill.
RodTed confronts Rod in the bathroom.
Ted, RodTed sends Sarah to the bathroom to find Rod.
Ted, RodSarah confronts Rod in the bathroom.
RodRod crashes into an display case.
Rod, ErinTed decides to check on Rod.
Ted, JT, WesErin bandages Rod's head and confronts Ted.
Ted, Rod, ErinThe group cleans up the mess.
Ted, JT, Wes, Rod, Erin, SusanSusan confronts Rod about JT's behavior.
Rod, SusanSusan and JT spice up their relationship.
JT, SusanTed and Erin go to bed.
Ted, ErinTed and Rod prepare for a meeting.
Ted, RodTed and Rod arrive at the golf course.
Ted, Rod, Harold LambertRod runs away from the tee.
Ted, Rod, Harold LambertRod slams his hand in the car door.
Ted, RodRod plays golf with a bandaged hand.
Ted, Rod, Harold LambertTed and JT discuss Rod's success.
Ted, JTTed and JT discuss Rod's performance and the risks of the Ricky Stanicky ruse. Wes enters, revealing he is now working for Rod.
Ted, JT, WesTed confronts Rod and Erin, attempting to reveal the truth about Rod's identity.
Ted, Rod, ErinOffice staff arrive to find Ted and Rod fighting; Ted is removed by security.
Ted, JT, Wes, Rod, Erin, Harold LambertTed is teaching golf when Erin arrives, using the name Ricky Stanicky to get a lesson. They reconcile after listening to a recorded message from Rod.
Ted, Erin, RodTed, Erin, Wes, and JT watch a theater performance where Rod is acting as Liesl in The Sound of Music.
Ted, Erin, Wes, JT, RodNext month is our sales conference at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. We've got all of our big clients and potential investors coming in. We wine them and dine them and present our big ideas for next year. Ricky, I want you to present feel good investing there. But we need something concrete, with real details to it. Can you do it?
Our prayers are with you, brother. Tomorrow morning, first thing, I'm getting into the car and driving up to San Francisco. I'll bring you a French dip sandwich from Pierre's... Sure JT'll come... He'll bring the clown nose and do the "Patch Adams..." Okay cool... I love you too, man.
Look, the money and the car are great. But really it's about the role. Ricky Stanicky is the kind of character that I've always wanted to play. He's a saint, but underneath his perfect exterior there's a bottomless well of pathos.
Uh... look, I'm not going to be able to make it. My friend was in a terrible accident and I have to fly up to San Francisco to see him. Ricky Stanicky... Deep sea fishing accident... Yep, without a life jacket.
Yeah, we should use that excuse all the time. We could be like, "Ricky Stanicky stole my homework. Or Ricky Stanicky took the car out."
It's cancer okay? Not the cancer. Don't make it sound worse than it is. It's not like, I don't know, swine flu. That shit kills people.
It said in the bible that Ricky once worked as a hostage negotiator so I played hard ball. Lambert also threw in a a corporate car.
Really? Why does salt cost 28 bucks? Did some French knight climb some dragon infested cliff and scrape it off with his raper.
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