The King of Comedy

Rupert Pupkin, an aspiring comedian, becomes obsessed with achieving fame and fortune. His dreams are fueled by admiration for the celebrated comedian Jerry Langford, whom he believes can provide him with his big break.

Rupert boldly approaches the staff of Jerry Langford's show, hoping to secure a guest spot. However, he experiences repeated rejection from them, particularly from the staff member Cathy Long, who shows no interest in his ambitions.

After facing consistent setbacks, Rupert retreats into his imagination, where he envisions himself as Jerry Langford's friend and a star. These daydreams illustrate his inner turmoil and desperation for recognition.

Determined to get closer to his idol, Rupert invites Rita to accompany him on an uninvited visit to Langford's country home. Their visit ends abruptly when Langford returns and firmly asks them to leave, leaving Rupert feeling rejected.

In a moment of frustration following their eviction, Rupert vows to work '50 times harder'. He remains resolved to charm Langford into giving him an opportunity despite the setbacks he has faced.

Feeling disheartened, Rupert finds companionship with Masha, another fan who shares his obsession with Langford. Together, they concoct a bold scheme to kidnap Langford in an attempt to secure Rupert's spot on the show.

Rupert and Masha execute their plan to kidnap Langford, believing it will guarantee Rupert a spot on the show. To their surprise, the network agrees under the condition that Langford remains captive until after the broadcast.

During the kidnapping, Langford tries to persuade Masha to release him, manipulating her emotions. However, his escape attempt turns dire when he discovers she's armed with a faulty toy gun, leading to a confrontation.

As Langford escapes, he inadvertently lands in the midst of Rupert's stand-up routine, broadcasted live. Rupert captures the audience's attention with his raw honesty while humorously revealing his dark deed of kidnapping.

In a bold move, Rupert confesses to the audience that he kidnapped Langford to achieve fame. The crowd, amused by his performance, fails to grasp the seriousness of his admission, laughing at his audacity.

Following his performance, Rupert is apprehended by the authorities, who are not pleased with his actions. He is sentenced to six years in prison, followed by two years of parole, marking a significant downfall from his dreams.

As time passes, Rupert manages to publish his autobiography, *King for a Night*, revealing the complexities of his journey. Despite legal troubles, he starts to receive offers for comedy tours and film adaptations of his life story.

The movie culminates in a televised special where Rupert is celebrated as the 'King of Comedy' before an enthusiastic audience. His devious grin hints at the darkness beneath the glittering facade of fame.

The crowd erupts in applause as Rupert takes the stage, finally receiving the validation he craved. His journey comes full circle as he reflects on the price of his ambition, leaving viewers with a haunting reminder of his pursuit.