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STUDIO
SYNOPSIS:
 The
tension is palpable, the excitement is mounting and the heady scent
of competition is in the air as hundreds of eager contestants from
across America prepare to take part in what is undoubtedly one of
the greatest events of their lives -- the Mayflower Dog Show.
 The
canine contestants and their owners are as wondrously diverse as
the great country that has bred them. There is Harlan Pepper (CHRISTOPHER
GUEST), a fly-fishing shop owner from Pine Nut, North Carolina,
who hopes that his Bloodhound, Hubert, may be the first of his kind
to win top prize at the show.
 In
their upscale Illinois home, yuppie lawyers Meg (PARKER POSEY) and
Hamilton Swan (MICHAEL HITCHCOCK) anxiously ready themselves and
their somewhat neurotic Weimaraner, Beatrice, for the big event.
 Meanwhile,
in Fern City, Florida, mild-mannered menswear salesman Gerry Fleck
(EUGENE LEVY) and his vivacious wife, Cookie (CATHERINE O'HARA),
happily prepare their Norwich Terrier, Winky, for the most important
show of his competitive career.
 In
New York, professional handler Scott Donlan (JOHN MICHAEL HIGGINS)
and his longtime partner, hair salon owner Stefan Vanderhoof (MICHAEL
McKEAN), happily anticipate the event as they feel that one of their
Shih Tzus, Miss Agnes, stands a very good chance of winning the
cup.
 Although
the fabulously wealthy and elderly Leslie Ward Cabot (PATRICK CRANSHAW)
and his voluptuous young wife, Sherri Ann Cabot (JENNIFER COOLIDGE),
are confident that their two-time champion Standard Poodle, Rhapsody
In White, will keep the crown, they aren't taking any chances and
have hired ace handler Christy Cummings (JANE LYNCH) to assure their
win.
 At
the Mayflower Dog Show, everything is being organized with the utmost
precision under the watchful eye of Mayflower Kennel Club President
Dr. Theodore W. Millbank III (BOB BALABAN) and the show's chairman,
Graham Chissolm (DON LAKE).  Trevor
Beckwith (JIM PIDDOCK) and Buck Laughlin (FRED WILLARD) are the
Mayflower dog show commentators.
Finally,
the hundreds of contestants come together under one giant roof,
the audience throngs the massive arena and the competition begins
in earnest as television cameras bring the wonderful world of dogs
to millions.
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