The Pruitts of Southampton — Season 1, Episode 1: Phyllis Goes Broke

Episode synopsis

During a party, an IRS agent arrives to inform the Pruitts that they are $10 million in debt and that their possessions now belong to the United States government. But they are going to allow the Pruitts to maintain the illusion that they are wealthy, rather than risk a stock-market collapse with the news that they are bankrupt. Phyllis is forced to let the entire staff go and stand by as her priceless art is taken from their home. It isn't long before Phyllis comes up with a scheme to pay off the IRS – by marrying a wealthy general who's been pursuing her for years. The General is overjoyed, but in the end, of course, her plan backfires.

About The Pruitts of Southampton

An audit by the Internal Revenue Service about overdue taxes reveals that the supposedly incredibly wealthy Pruitts family is in fact broke. Presumably causing the economic depression, an improbably charitable IRS allows them to continue living in their mansion and maintaining the pretensions of great wealth.

More episodes from Season 1

• E2Phyllis, the Milkmaid
• E3Phyllis Beats the Rap
• E4Phyllis Takes a Letter
• E5Phyllis, the Cookie Tycoon
• E6Phyllis Fires the Butler
• E7Phyllis Saves the Day
• E8Phyllis Goes Commercial
• E9Phyllis Entertains Royalty
• E10Phyllis, the Upstairs Girl
• E11Phyllis, the General Stealer
• E12Phyllis, the Dress Maker
• E13Phyllis Goes Arty