Zach Galifianakis takes center stage as the eccentric host of his public access television show, Between Two Ferns. The whimsical journey begins when the comedic powerhouse, Will Ferrell, stumbles upon the show and gives it a boost by uploading it to Funny or Die. This unexpected exposure catapults Zach into the limelight, transforming him into a viral sensation, much to the delight of audiences who tune in daily, enchanted by his unique, albeit misguided, interviewing style.
In one fateful interview with Matthew McConaughey, chaos unfolds when Zach accidentally triggers a sprinkler system, leading to an unforeseen calamity that floods the studio. In a twist of comedic fate, this wild incident not only results in Matthew taking a deep dive but also creates an upward trajectory for Zach's career—though Matthew is safely resuscitated afterward.
As a byproduct of this hilarious debacle, viewership skyrockets, prompting Will to extend a lucrative offer to Zach: produce ten episodes within two weeks and ascend to the role of president at Funny or Die. Brimming with ambition and dreams of hosting his own talk show, Zach eagerly agrees, embarking on a road trip filled with both hilarity and heartwarming interactions with his crew.
During their adventurous travels, Zach forges meaningful bonds with his crew members, but financial woes begin to loom large. The star-studded lineup of interviewees he encounters includes luminaries such as David Letterman, Paul Rudd, Chrissy Teigen, John Legend, Jon Hamm, Hailee Steinfeld, Tiffany Haddish, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Tessa Thompson. Amidst this glamorous backdrop, a series of comical mishaps unfold, including a cheeky affair with Chrissy Teigen when [Jake Gyllenhaal]'s flight cancellation leads to awkward moments during their interview.
Facing financial difficulties due to extravagant expenditures, Zach's manager, Carol, resorts to desperate measures by pilfering priceless Fabergé eggs from [Peter Dinklage] during an interview, hoping to sell them to fund their journey back to Los Angeles.
The road back is anything but uneventful, as Zach's propensity for distraction leads to a car accident while he juggles reading emails. Unfortunately, this accident spells disaster for his beloved ferns, as they meet an untimely end. Despite the tension and disagreements with his crew, the group manages to reconcile upon their triumphant return to Los Angeles, successfully clinching the deal with Will.
In a moment of celebratory joy, Zach learns that he will be gifted four new ferns and eagerly jumps into the premiere of his new show, Ferns with Zach Galifianakis. Within the span of a month, his show becomes a national hit, but as critiques begin pouring in regarding the show’s lack of charm and unique flair, Zach faces hard truths. Ultimately, he decides to pull the plug on the show, choosing camaraderie with his crew over fleeting fame, not before two of his new ferns meet their own misfortune in a car incident. Thus, the tale of Zach's comedic exploits culminates in laughter, lessons learned, and chaotic charm that lingers on.
