Augusten Burroughs started his writing career with his novel, which he based largely on his experiences in the advertising trade. All of the characters are tied together through their employment at Sellevision, a cable shopping network not unlike the Home Shopping Network or QVC. Each of its star hosts are about to be confronted with some personal issues.

It all starts with Max Andrews, who falls into controversy during a Toys for Tots segment on his Sunday morning brunch show. All the guests and hosts wear comfortable bathrobes, but things go awry after a coworker spills a drink on his lap, forcing him to go on sans undies. Unfortunately, there is a slight wardrobe malfunction, and he unwillingly shows the audience how much of a man he really is. As you can guess, there are shocked calls from frantic parents across the country, and he is fired by the network. Max struggles to find another position until he finds a successful career in a field he had never considered, though, it probably seems like a good option considering how his previous position reached its sad ending.

Max is not the only one struggling with his fame. Peggy Jean Smythe finds herself with a fan willing to not only praise her, but one who is hoping to help her with some self improvement. Zoe, the fan, starts by highlighting Peggy Jean's hairy earlobes and continues to progress into other areas, forcing Peggy Jean to question both her self-image and her sanity. As things grow more and more intense, Peggy Jean finds her only comfort in small cocktails and her Valium. As things grow worse, her husband John finds an opportunity to woe the teen girl who lives next door.

There are a number of other characters that have their own stories including Trish Mission, the daughter of a millionaire, and Leigh Bushmore, the mistress of the station's executive producer.

The novel is hysterical and quite raunchy. It does lack a bit in some punch to the storylines. There really is no major them or plot. Instead, it is more of a "day in the life of" storyline as the characters deal with their various troubles. As a result, things come to a conclusion, but they lack a bit of oomph even if they are upbeat.

The novel excels in capturing the tone and feel of these shopping networks. I haven't watched many of them, but the scenes that showcase the actual shows definitely capture the "one-step-up-from-a-car-salesman" feel that I usually get from the real hosts. That in itself is humorous, nevermind the outrageous storylines that fill the lives of Burroughs' characters.