Single mom Dottie Ingels sells cosmetics in a department store while dreaming of becoming a comedian. After she inherits some money, she decides to move to New York with her children Erica and Opal in order to begin a stand-up career in small bars. Dottie soon rises to stardom, but while she travels all over the USA, her daughters stay home lonely.

Julie Kavner
as Dottie Ingels

Samantha Mathis
as Erica Ingels

Gaby Hoffmann
as Opal Ingels

Carrie Fisher
as Claudia Curtis

Dan Aykroyd
as Arnold Moss

Bob Nelson
as Ed

Marita Geraghty
as Mia Jablon

Welker White
as Lynn

Caroline Aaron
as Martha Ingels

Kathy Najimy
as Angela