The notorious criminal Divine (performer) lives under the pseudonym "Babs Johnson" with her mentally ill mother Edie, delinquent son Crackers, and traveling companion Cotton. They share a Mobile home on the outskirts of Phoenix, Maryland, next to a Yard globe and a pair of eponymous Plastic flamingo. After learning that Divine has been named "the filthiest person alive" by a Tabloid (newspaper format) paper, jealous rivals Connie and Raymond Marble attempt to usurp her title.