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.

After firing inept but hunky stagehand Mickey, Maddie consoles him with a one-night stand -- then can't get rid of him. Tension arises between Frank and Arlo when Frank asks Arlo's crush to be his tango partner.