Leroy's eight year old niece causes trouble when she imposes on her uncle and the faculty at the School of the Arts. Danny has trouble getting actors' equity when he finds out another Danny Amatullo is registered. Christopher struggles with the role of Hamlet.

After his niece, Tina, burns down his apartment, Leroy gets Tina to stay with Mrs. Berg while he stays with Miss Grant. Carl, Miss Grant's old boyfriend returns and as they get reacquainted, Tina does all she can to keep them apart in hopes that Leroy and Miss Grant will get married and adopt her.

Lamar, Leroy's brother and Tina's father returns for Tina under the pretense of establishing a life for Tina when he discovers that she has inherited her deceased nanny's $22,000 estate. Leroy is suspicious of his brother's intentions. Dwight is directing a play about the Dewey Decimal System and builds a character around Holly which drives the cast crazy.

When Tina comes to visit Leroy, he plans to make her a believer in the Christmas spirit. Between studying and working, he makes little time for Tina which leaves her despondent. Mr. Shorofsky is getting his tonsils removed and two kids sharing his room think he's Santa Claus.