It's a typical Saturday evening, as Mike and Melanie play games with their neighbors, Victor and Paula. Each couple has a son home from college for the summer. Little does Melanie know that her happy, comfortable world will soon be thrown into turmoil. Mike has sent a letter to Facing Facts, Melanie and Paula's favorite reality television show. He believes Melanie, who has gained weight over the years, would be thrilled to have a makeover at Facing Facts' fabulous spa. After all, she and Paula rave about it. Unfortunately, Mike has never seen the show and is clueless about the cruel, ratings-hungry hostess, Frances Montgomery. When the Facing Facts crew descends at her door, Melanie endures a disastrous ambush. Afterward, she cannot understand why Mike would subject her to national humiliation, and orders him to be out of the house when she returns from the spa. Mike is hopeful that Melanie will change her mind, but things only get worse the evening she returns. Frances not only belittles Melanie again, she sets her sights on an oblivious Mike. Melanie finally explodes, throwing the Facing Facts crew out of her house, along with Mike. Events in the days that follow bring Melanie to realizations about herself and the important things in life.
Issues of appearance, communication, relationships, and reality television are dealt with in the light comedy, The Makeover.