History Film / BestInShow

* ButchLesbian: Christy is tall, short-haired, and sharp-featured, is always seen wearing somewhat masculine clothing, and is rather obviously in a secret relationship with Sherri Ann.

* TheDitz: Buck Laughlin, a sports commentator more familiar with [[UsefulNotes/AmericanFootball football]] and at sea in the context of dogs and dog shows, at least; his amiable enthusiasm for the events he's witnessing is matched only by his utter cluelessness about the events he's witnessing. Although even taking into account his FishOutOfWater position, he doesn't exactly seem like the brightest bulb in the box. And particularly since an offhand comment by Trevor Beckwith reveals that they hosted the show together the previous year--and Buck apparently managed to learn or retain nothing from it.
** Laughlin demonstrates idiocy in a variety of other areas as well, such as when he confuses Columbus' 1492 landing in the Caribbean with the Pilgrim migration to Massachussets.

* FriendlyEnemy: Despite the sometimes bitter and catty rivalry they show throughout the film the other handlers immediately help Gerry when he's spontaneously thrust into the role of handler when Cookie twists her ankle.

* LadykillerInLove: Cookie is the female version. She can't go anywhere without bumping into someone she's had sex with, but she settled down and married a goofy, straight-laced guy, whom she seems to genuinely love.

* {{Improv}}: Guest has his actor improv from general outlines; where the scene starts and where it needs to get to is fixed, but the rest is up to the actors.

* AnythingThatMoves: Scott at least hints at this trope, as he doesn't hesitate to ogle or flirt with anyone who catches his eye, despite being in a relationship with his partner Stefan.
-->'''Hotel Manager:''' "We have you down for a queen [bed]."\\
'''Scott:''' "What are you suggesting... my dear man?"

* OnlySaneMan: Trevor Beckwith is a well-mannered gentleman and accredited expert on dogs whose commentary during the dog show is filled with sound observations and accurate predictions. He provides a sharp contrast to his co-host [[{{Cloudcuckoolander}} Buck Laughlin]], who he unsuccessfully attempts to keep the bizarre asides of to a minimum.

** [[spoiler: Meg and Hamilton are visibly happier now after replacing Beatrice with a pug named Kipper, claiming he enjoys watching them have sex while failing to realize that ''their'' behavior was the reason Beatrice was so neurotic.]]

%% * GettingCrapPastThe Radar: Due to overwhelming and persistent misuse, GCPTR is on-page examples only until 01 June 2021. If you are reading this in the future, please check the trope page to make sure your example fits the current definition.

* LipstickLesbian: Sherri Ann, as revealed when [[spoiler:she plants a kiss on Rhapsody In White's much more butch trainer.]]

* NotHyperbole: When Gerry and Cookie recount how they first met, Gerry said he told Cookie that he couldn't dance because he has "two left feet", and Cookie said she thought he was kidding. It turns out that Gerry was actually born with two left feet, and he mentions having to learn how to stop walking in circles while growing up.

** [[spoiler: Meg and Hamilton are visibly happier now after replacing Beatrice with a pug named Kipper, which they claim enjoys watching them have sex while failing to realize that ''their'' behavior was the reason Beatrice was so neurotic.]]

* HateSink: Most of the less sympathetic competitors each reveal themselves to have more likeable traits by the end of the film (Sherri Ann, Christy, Scott, and Stefan all prove to [[AwLookTheyReallyDoLoveEachOther genuinely care about their respective significant other]] and are amicable toward their underdog rivals). The Swans, however, are never suggested to be anything more than the insufferable yuppie couple they are introduced as, with Meg even displaying a bit of racism in her mistreatment of a hotel maid, and it's painfully clear from the start that the two use their poor dog as a distraction from their shaky marriage. Naturally, [[spoiler: [[LaserGuidedKarma they are the only ones to not advance to the finals of the dog show, instead getting eliminated in the first round]]]], but in the end, they still offload their troubles on their dog and "move forward" by replacing her rather than addressing the likely nore substantial issues at fault.

* CampGay: Scott Donlan. By contrast, his partner Stefan is more of a StraightGay.

* CringeComedy: The scene where Gerry and Cookie’s credit cards are declined at The Taft is rather uncomfortable to watch due to the realistic frustration playing out with likable characters in an unyielding situation, but their attempts to communicate with the manager create comedy.

** While [[spoiler:Christy and Sherri Ann]] are a little bummed they lost, they take it in stride because the competition made them realize [[spoiler:they found each other. Sherri Ann divorces her wealthy husband and decides to sponsor a magazine called ''Bitch'' that showcases Rhapsody in White and other LGBTQ dog owners, looking truly happy with Christy]].

* HateSink: Most of the less sympathetic competitors each reveal themselves to have more likeable traits by the end of the film (Sherri Ann, Christy, Scott, and Stefan all prove to [[AwLookTheyReallyDoLoveEachOther genuinely care about their respective significant other]] and are amicable toward their underdog rivals). The Swans, however, are never suggested to be anything more than the insufferable yuppie couple they are introduced as, with Meg even displaying a bit of racism in her mistreatment of a hotel maid, and it's painfully clear from the start that the two use their poor dog as a distraction from their shaky marriage. Naturally, [[spoiler: [[LaserGuidedKarma they are the only ones to not advance to the finals of the dog show, instead getting eliminated in the first round]]]], but in the end, they still offload their troubles on their dog and "move forward" by replacing her rather than addressing more real issues.

* JerkWithAHeartOfGold: Scott and Stefan are both very catty, particularly toward Sherri Ann and Christy, but reveal themselves to be surprisingly cordial when interacting with the Flecks. To a lesser extent, Sherri Ann and Christy also come across as polite and respectful toward their rivals during the competition after having spent most of the movie to that point seeming rather cold and haughty.

A 2000 {{mockumentary}} film directed by Creator/ChristopherGuest, written by Creator/EugeneLevy with Guest co-writing, and co-starring, besides Guest and Levy, Creator/JenniferCoolidge, Creator/JohnMichaelHiggins, Michael Hitchcock, Creator/JaneLynch, Creator/MichaelMcKean, Creator/CatherineOHara and Creator/ParkerPosey.

** The hotel manager (Ed Begley Jr.), when discussing the difficulties cleaning up after a dog show, mentions an unnamed rock band (probably a ''Spinal Tap'' reference). Details are sparse, and include only the comment that "they probably didn't realize there was a toilet in the room", as well as something about "roasting a goat," and how how hard it was to get the smell of charcoal and cumin out of the curtains.

* SouthernGentleman: Harlan Pepper is a modern-day example of one (and a lot more sympathetic than most examples).

* TomboyAndGirlyGirl: Masculine professional dog trainer Christy and ditzy TrophyWife Sherri Ann, respectively. One scene emphasizes the contrast by showing how Sherri Ann has attempted to re-style Christy with spiky hair and a lot of makeup, which Christy politely says makes her look freakish.

** The Swans, in particular, take the well-being of their dog Beatrice ''very'' seriously. Perhaps too seriously--their neuroticism about the dog's well-being causes stress to the dog and makes her unstable.

* TooMuchInformation: Gerry is often subjected to this when one of Cookie's old boyfriends starts recounting their past amorous adventures.

* AwLookTheyReallyDoLoveEachOther: Meg and Hamilton fight throughout the entire movie but finally improve with therapy, as revealed by the final scene.
** Them telling the story of how they met also shows that they are HappilyMarried, despite how much they fight.
* BeleagueredAssistant: Trevor Beckwith, the prim and properly British co-host to Buck Laughlin.

* BrickJoke: Gerry's two left feet.

* ChekhovsGun The scene in the Taft Hotel's utility closet seems unmotivated until Cookie and Gerry are later housed there.

* CringeComedy: The scene where Gerry and Cookie’s credit cards are declined at The Taft is rather uncomfortable to watch. Which is of course the point.
* CuckoolanderCommentator: Buck Laughlin, the ex-football player announcer.
* TheDandy: Scott Donlan, who is always elaborately dressed, hand-makes his own leather pants, and packs seven kimonos for an overnight trip. His partner Stefan is also similarly stylish, but less attention is placed on it.

* TheDitz: Buck Laughlin, a sports commentator more familiar with [[UsefulNotes/AmericanFootball football]] and at sea in the context of dogs and dog shows, at least; his amiable enthusiasm for the events he's witnessing is matched only by his utter cluelessness about the events he's witnessing. Although even taking into account his FishOutOfWater position, he doesn't exactly seem like the brightest bulb in the box. And particularly since an offhand comment by Trevor Beckwith reveals that they hosted the show together the previous year--and Buck apparently managed to learn nothing.

* HappilyMarried: Cookie and Gerry genuinely love each other and are happy together even though Gerry does get jealous when her past is brought up.
* HateSink: While the other less sympathetic competitors each reveal themselves to have more likeable traits by the end of the film (Sherri Ann, Christy, Scott, and Stefan all prove to [[AwLookTheyReallyDoLoveEachOther genuinely care about their respective significant other]] and are amicable toward their underdog rivals), the Swans are never suggested to be anything more than the insufferable yuppie couple they are introduced as, and it's painfully clear from the start that the two use their poor dog as a distraction from their shaky marriage. Naturally, [[spoiler: [[LaserGuidedKarma they are the only ones to not advance to the finals of the dog show, instead getting eliminated in the first round]].]]

* KickTheDog: Meg’s racist tirade at the hotel maid makes her unpleasant persona even worse.

* NiceGuy: The Taft manager is endlessly patient and kind to everyone, including letting Gerry and Cookie stay in a utility closet when their cards are declined and taking it on the chin when Meg yells in his face.

* TheRival: While all of the characters are in competition with each other, the duos of Scott and Stefan and Christy and Sherri Ann appear to have some kind of personal animosity. Christy and Sherri Ann are the returning champions while Scott and Stefan also have experience in competitive dog shows, so it's likely that they see the other couple as the pair to beat.

** The Swans, in particular, take the well-being of their dog Beatrice ''very'' seriously. At one point they're screaming vindictive to anyone in earshot while frantically searching for her favorite squeaky toy.

** [[spoiler: After their humiliating loss at the dog show, the Swans finally seem to have made amends with each other through couple's therapy. They also have a new dog, suggesting that poor Beatrice was able to find a home away from them.]]
* TomboyAndGirlyGirl: Masculine professional dog trainer Christy and ditzy TrophyWife Sherri Ann, respectively.

* OverlyNarrowSuperlative: At the end of the movie [[spoiler: Sherri Ann and Christy]] get together and started "American Bitch", a magazine for "Lesbian Purebred Dog Owners".

* SouthernGentleman: Harlan Pepper is a modern-day example of one.

* TheDitz: Buck Laughlin, a sports commentator more familiar with [[UsefulNotes/AmericanFootball football]] and at sea in the context of dogs and dog shows, at least; his amiable enthusiasm for the events he's witnessing is matched only by his utterly cluelessness about the events he's witnessing. Although even taking into account his FishOutOfWater position, he doesn't exactly seem like the brightest bulb in the box. And particularly since an offhand comment by Trevor Beckwith reveals that they hosted the show together the previous year--and Buck apparently managed to learn nothing.

* CringeComedy: The scene where Gerry and Cookie’s credit cards are declined at The Taft is rather uncomfortable with watch. Which is of course the point.