After hearing Arlo's karaoke talent at his birthday party, Maddie is thrilled to find a connection with him and decides to make him a star. Against his wishes, she pulls some strings to try to set him up with a record producer.

Hoping to lift Arlo's spirits, Maddie, Thelma and Frank decide to finally celebrate Christmas for once. Buoyed by the sudden holiday cheer, Arlo surprises Maddie with an unwelcome gift: her estranged mother.

When Kathy Griffin visits the building to look at the penthouse across the hall, a threatened Maddie struggles to contain her insecurities and goes to great lengths to restake her claim as the biggest star in the building.