Trying to get enough money to buy Mama a birthday present is not as easy as it sounds for Raj. This leads him to some dice playing but Mama breaks it up and confiscates the money he won. In a last attempt, Raj, Rerun and Dwayne try to walk out of the store with a blouse after writing an IOU.

Rerun has his heart set on getting the role in a hamburger commercial. However, once down at the audition the producers find Dee to be better suited despite the fact that she can't stand the taste of them. An even bigger problem arises when Mama's permission is needed for her to do the commercial, but she's in Phoenix.

With Mama planning to work on Christmas, Raj and Dee agree to have Christmas dinner at Bill's apartment. However, Mama is able to get out of working at the last minute and soon discovers that the kids have plans and she finds herself facing a lonesome Christmas.

Raj has written a play and it's become a school production. However, he fears the play will be ruined after he gives the lead role to Rerun.

With Mama out of town, Raj gets Shirley to babysit Dee who gets Shirley thinking about her past. Meanwhile, Raj and Rerun's graduation is approaching but right at the last minute Rerun gets himself in trouble by cheating on a final exam which prompts Shirley to give him some guidance.