Plot

Friends in happy San Luis Obispo are about to lose their jobs so they leap into action; a funny series of selfish lurches which lead to betrayal, an accident, several attempts at pregnancy, and some pithy California soul-searching.

Sam is the ringleader of a group of friends in the happy California town of San Luis Obispo. They drink, they barbecue. Some work at the local weekly paper, where Sam is the arts editor. Things start to fall apart at the paper and Quinn, Iris, Ursula and the others are going to lose their jobs. Sam has to dig deep to find what's right as the friends see betrayal and Iris' burning need to become pregnant change who's in and who's out of their tight-knit group. Can Quinn and Iris make a baby? Turns out it's not so easy.—3HF

Friends in happy San Luis Obispo are about to lose their jobs so they leap into action; an uncoordinated series of selfish lurches which lead to betrayal, an accident, several attempts at pregnancy, and some pithy California soul-searching.—3HF

When Sam (Kevin Harris) looks around his living room, he sees a cheap charcoal grill, stained couches, and the stars. His tiny house is too small for this tight-knit group of friends so an outdoor living room in the dirt driveway is the only answer. As the arts editor of "The Star," a small-town, alternative newspaper, Sam can get a story out of anyone. His co-workers naturally gravitate toward him but he dodges taking on any responsibility beyond the basics. He might be getting a little old for his collegiate bachelor lifestyle, but he's not sure what else he'd want to do. Summer is just getting started and his friends say he "throws a good party," but being everyone's friend is getting harder. Then he finds out that life at the paper is about to change completely.

Quinn (Aaron Michael Metchik) and Iris (Susie Castillo) also work at the "Star." Unlike Sam they've never had trouble committing, and got married young. Now Iris and Quinn's marriage revolves around the pregnancy test. They've been trying unsuccessfully for a baby to complete their happy home and it's getting complicated: schedules, pills, injections. They've always been "the perfect couple" to their friends, but what is forcing them apart? Iris is going nuts from the drugs, they've got a wacky doctor, and Quinn finds himself breathing to "release his chakras" if it will make Iris happy. While Sam pokes at his writing skills, part of Quinn just wants to ditch the day job and his stressed wife to finish his novel. Part of Iris wants to meditate or stand on her head until she finds peace. They both still want a baby... they think. Nothing says romance like ducking out of a movie theater and into the back seat of your car to get an injection on time. When they're caught in the act by a local cop, they're in for a surprise.

San Luis Obispo, California - supposedly "the happiest place to live in the United States" - offers nothing but a step down for Ursula (Nicolette Autumn File,) the sales director at the "Star," after bad news about her job. Does she need a bigger paycheck, more romance, or... a calling. The beach is ten minutes in one direction and the vineyards ten minutes in the other. It seems like heaven. Ursula's job is in jeopardy and she's frustrated by the fact that she could never make enough in this place to retire here. Mid-thirties and she doesn't know what else is out there. With a rugged, happy-go-lucky boyfriend like Colby (Bobby Kendrick) who enjoys coasting through life, she might never find out. In her gourmet kitchen she likes Colby's flannel, his charm, and his take-it-day-to-day attitude, but down deep she wants more. She wants change. What does Sam have to offer? By mid-summer the party at Sam's isn't so fun anymore and for Ursula, "some things are just inevitable."

Kathryn (Heather Macleod) tends to say what she thinks and get what she wants; screw tact. This works great for her as a reporter, but it's hard on friends. Like Ursula, Kathryn tends to think big while still being drawn to their small group. Unlike Ursula, the group has tagged Kathryn as heartless and cold. This is where Gwen (Katie Michels) comes in. She's a sensitive but needy, single mom who bar-tends at the Frog and Peach Pub. Gwen hasn't been able to find the right fish in this small pond and her heartbreaks are extreme. She makes Kathryn an offer: She'll help Kathryn be more sensitive with people, and in exchange, Kathryn will help Gwen get over her last devastating breakup. Seems like a great deal but the stakes are raised suddenly when the managing editor decides to accept the corporate buyout and most everyone at the paper will be let go. Kathryn can't seem to help how things affect her. Little by little things start to spin out of control, people get hurt, and Sam's right in the middle whether he likes it or not.

At the bottom of this heap is Max (John Spencer File,) who tends to mooch and prefers odd jobs to something steady. He drinks with Colby, flirts with Gwen and hits Sam up for weed just a little too much. It might be a great life for him, but after one last bad choice, that's it, he's ejected from the group. Colby appeals but Sam is fed up and digs in his heels. Sam tends to do that. It could cost all of them their jobs. Archie, the boss at the "Star," has an alternative for them but Sam's not buying. His advice to Sam? "Save bad news for Friday."

It looks bleak and the group seems doomed but from the smallest cog comes the greatest effect as Max turns over a new leaf. In the quirky, Altman-esque, ensemble comedy-drama "More Than Stars," friends find out what happens when the chips are down: some jump, some get pushed, and some... make the leap.

Author: 3HF