John Wilmot, a 17th century poet, is the Earl of Rochester and from the beginning he treats his wife cruelly, drinks to relentless excess, abuses his friendships, and generally wallows in dissipation, much to the dismay of King Charles II. The king hopes that Rochester will write a play glorifying his reign. But Rochester finds his true inspiration when he sees a young actress named Lizzie Barry. Rochester sets out to make her the greatest actress...

Aspiring playwright Louis Ives moves to New York, taking an environmental job with a beautiful, infatuating co-worker. Louis rents a room from an eccentric former playwright who moonlights as an 'extra man,' a social escort for the wealthy widows of Manhattan high society. The two men develop a volatile mentorship, which leads to a series of comic adventures.

Jason and Phoebe meet on his wedding day while he's stark naked. He thinks she's the masseuse. She thinks he's crazy. Phoebe was sent by Jason's agent to replace his now departed playwriting partner. And she does, through 15 years of hits and flops, through marriages and divorces, through the birth of two children, through everything two people can share without sharing each other's love.