A review of a movie, or a restaurant, or a car—or whatever else that typically falls under a critic's domain—is all well and good, and can even be helpful at times. But how can one find out about myriad other experiences that are never tackled in reviews? Enter Forrest MacNeil, a critic who goes beyond overviews of life's more-common subjects—way beyond—to satisfy the curiosity of others: The adrenaline rush of stealing; the danger of drug addiction; the delight of sleeping with a celebrity. MacNeil tries anything suggested by viewers of his TV show, then presents a 1-to-5-star review. But his unwavering commitment to experiencing intense adventures means he must deal with the unintended consequences of such a goal.

Recently divorced entrepreneur George Lopez is successful in his business ventures but caught between two cultures in his personal life. He struggles to find balance between the parenting demands of his Anglo ex-wife, Mackenzie, and the cultural expectations of his Latina mother, Alma. His freeloading Uncle Tio and Cousin Junior further complicate his life, which includes 11-year-old son Harper. Outside the home, the successful businessman gives back to the community by teaching history to a multicultural class at a Los Angeles night school; there he is supervised by tough, attractive Assistant Principal Concepcion.

Krissy Kringle receives a delivery intended for Santa Claus. A magical book that shows if a person has been naughty or nice. She uses the book's power to find out about those around her, which leads to some very unusual and unintended results. Krissy realizes that everyone has some good and some not so good in them.