No nonsense L.A.P.D. detective Mitch Preston (De Niro) is a man of few words, little patience and even less style. When a job goes horribly wrong, Mitch receives an unusual punishment and is forced participation in a reality-based TV show about cops. When the show's producer, Chase Rensi (Rene Russo) swoops in and sells the Chief of Police on the PR benefits involved if Mitch plays ball, there really is no way out.

Even worse, his TV partner is Trey Sellers (Murphy), a fast-talking rookie police officer who instead of being a cop, would much rather play at being one on TV. Together, they are posed to become stars of the biggest hit reality show in television history. For Mitch, it's a living hell; for Trey, it's a dream come true...