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With the critics still dumping on his sitcom, Andy begs Darren (his agent) to find him something that will earn him some respect, like theater. Thanks to another client, Barry, Darren hears about a play Ian McKellen is directing, and lands Andy an audition.
On the set of 'When the Whistle Blows,' Andy gets a surprise visit from an old classmate, Steve Sherwood, the "coolest kid in school." Now a ruggedly handsome grownup, Sherwood tells Maggie and Darren they always thought Andy was gay in school, and the two do nothing to dispel the theory.
Andy is excited for his audition with Ian McKellen - until he learns that the character who plays his lover, Fran, is actually a guy. "Gay is all the rage," Darren assures him, convincing him it will show his range and anoint him a serious actor.
On opening night, Sherwood shows up with a few manly blokes from his schooldays, Boss Hogg, Nobby and Gut Rot. Andy tries to discourage them from buying tickets, but it's too late. Just before the curtains open, McKellen tells Andy he and Fran have been talking, and they think the play should end with a kiss. Andy tells him he has cold sores and that a kiss will be "too obvious."
But during the last act of the play, Fran goes in for the big lip-lock. Spotting the school blokes wincing in the audience, Andy stiff arms his costar and backs all the way to the wings of the stage, where a hand forces him back onstage. "Not gonna happen," he yells before turning to McKellen, the hand behind the curtains. "It's like 'Deliverance' in here!" Suddenly remembering the audience, Andy turns to face them, and makes a vain effort to explain himself - and the rest of the play. "That's gonna be bad isn't it," he says when he sees a critic scribbling. "You having a laugh? Is she having a laugh?"
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|  | | |  | | | | | | Ian McKellan
Desperate for respect, Andy looks for work in the theater, and ends up getting cast by Sir Ian McKellen in a new play. | | | | | | |
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