Roger Waddell is a meek New York City meter maid, who is having a rough time at work and failing in his social life. When Roger's third "Little Brother" in a row dumps him, the recreation center manager suggests he call a mysterious phone number. Sitting at home, Roger calls the number and reaches Dr. P, who then instructs him to show up at the Learning Annex carrying a manila envelope with $5,000 cash. When he arrives, he and another new student...

Former Sweat-hog Gabe Kotter returns to his alma mater, Brooklyn's James Buchanan High School to teach a new generation of Sweat-hogs, a group of supposedly unteachable, under-achieving and incorrigible students. Gabe tries to reach out to these students by relating his own experiences to the students, but is often hindered in his efforts by cantankerous vice-principal, Michael Woodman.