Residents of Springfield are shocked when a national survey reveals their city is the least popular town in the United States. At a town meeting, Marge suggests that Springfield hold its own film festival—which would attract badly needed tourists and boost the city’s image. The townspeople react favorably to the idea, especially when they realize they can enter their own movies in the competition. The search begins for a film critic to judge the festival. Marge settles for Jay Sherman, a native New Yorker who hosts his own show, “Coming Attractions.” Sherman decides to take up the offer and flees to Springfield after he insults action-film star McBain on the air and becomes the target of his wrath.

The Simpsons invite Jay to stay at their home. Homer grows jealous when Jay is a hit with his family. To make Marge prove that she does not think he is stupid, Homer asks that he be placed on the film festival jury. Marge reluctantly agrees. Meanwhile, Smithers informs Mr. Burns that he suffers from an image problem. Burns responds by hiring a Latino director to film his biography—and to do for him what Steven Spielberg did for Oskar Schindler. But when the finished product is screened at the festival, it is greeted with a chorus of “boos.”

Realizing his film does not stand a chance of winning, Burns bribes two of the jurists on the film panel. The panel becomes hopelessly deadlocked on the grand prize award, with Jay picking Barney’s surprisingly good entry and Homer opting for a short in which Hans Moleman gets hit in the groin with a football. But Homer reconsiders and changes his vote, awarding Barney the prize. Later, Burns enters his film for Oscar consideration, but loses to “Man Getting Hit by Football” starring George C. Scott.