Duringacross-countrylecturetour,notoriouslyacerbicradiopersonalitySheridanWhitesideslipsontheicystepsofthehouseoftheStanleys,aprominentOhiofamily,andisforcedtorecuperateintheirhomeduringtheChristmasholidays.Theoverbearing,self-centeredcelebritysooncomestodominatethelivesoftheresidentsandeveryoneelsewhoentersthehousehold.HeencouragesyoungadultsRichardandJuneStanleytopursuetheirdreams,muchtothedismayoftheirconventionalfatherErnest.
Meanwhile,Whiteside'sspinsterassistantMaggieCutlerfindsherselfattractedtolocalnewspapermanBertJefferson.WhenshereadsBert'splay,sheissoimpressedsheasksWhitesidetoshowittohiscontacts,andthenannouncesshewillquithisemploymentandmarryBert.However,herbossisloathtolosesuchanefficientaideanddoeshisbesttosabotagetheblossomingromance...