Ruthless newspaper editor Walter Burns (Walter Matthau) and his crack ace reporter Hildy (Jack Lemmon) believe together they can cover any story. The only problem is their team is being broken up as Hildy has decided to get married and leave the newspaper business altogether. As Hildy grooms his replacement, his retirement is derailed when the story of the century breaks. As all of Chicago is in hot pursuit, Hildy's instincts tell him something is rotten. Carol Burnett and Susan Sarandon co-star in this hilarious nonstop comedy.