Recently sacked drama producer Nesbitt Gunn (James Bolam) has barricaded himself in his office and not even girlfriend Celia can persuade him to leave and take up his new position in Light Entailment Dept.
Nesbitt has come to terms with his new position in the game-show department of Megla Television. He is keen to make a good impression with new boss Mr, Hughes, but does not bargain on an impossible request.
Helmut Staalmaker is in England buying quiz and game shows for West German television. Kevin Hughes is determined that Nesbitt sells one of the shows - or else he'll face the sack.
Mr Hughes' Italian mistress is demanding a new car, but he can't afford it in this tax year; however, if she were to become a contestant on his top game show she could always win one. Poor Nesbitt is summoned to help...
Mr Hughes will not tolerate the company rules being broken, and Nesbitt is in danger of losing his new job if he doesn't conform. But could someone be trying to set him up?
Rivalry between Megla Television and the BBC comes to a head when Hughes decides to impart false information about Megla's winter schedules. Nesbitt is to sacked and used as bait in an attempt to fool the BBC.
It's Mr Hughes' birthday. Nesbitt is arranging a surprise party, but as usual his bungling ways lead him down the wrong path. Aided by Celia and the Chaplain but hindered by his arch-rival Tom, Nesbitt finds the surprise is on him.
It seems the sands of time are fast running out for Nesbitt Gunn: his cookery programme is reduced to chaos, and the threat of blackmail rears its head at the chef's farewell party.
A Russian gala evening is Megla's contribution to television. Mr Hughes' attempts to exclude Gunn from the proceedings fail when the hapless producer finds himself harbouring a defector.
Is it careless driving or foul play that lands Nesbitt Gunn in hospital? The luckless producer is once again at the mercy of the unscrupulous Mr Hughes.
There's a free trip to Venice on the Orient Express for selected members of Megla's puzzled staff - but what's the catch?