The first season of the American television sitcom The Nanny aired on CBS from November 3, 1993, to May 16, 1994. The series was created by actress Fran Drescher and her then-husband Peter Marc Jacobson, and developed by Prudence Fraser and Robert Sternin. Produced by Sternin and Fraser Ink Inc. and TriStar Television, the series features Drescher, Jacobson, Fraser, Sternin, Caryn Lucas and Diane Wilk as executive producers. Most of the season's episodes aired on Wednesdays at 8:30 pm while the first few aired on Wednesdays at 8:00 pm.
Based on an idea inspired by Drescher's visit with a friend and The Sound of Music, the series revolves around Fran Fine, a Jewish woman from Flushing, Queens, New York, who is hired by a wealthy Broadway producer to be the nanny to his three children. Drescher stars as the titular character, Charles Shaughnessy as British-born producer Maxwell Sheffield, and the children – Maggie, Brighton and Grace – portrayed by Nicholle Tom, Benjamin Salisbury, and Madeline Zima. The series also features Daniel Davis as Niles, the family butler, and Lauren Lane as C.C. Babcock, Maxwell's associate in his production company who is smitten with him. Several recurring characters also played a role in the sitcom's plotlines, many of whom were related to Fran.
The Nanny first season debuted to moderate numbers and ratings for the channel, maintaining most of the initial audience through the season's broadcast. The season finale, however, generated a large increase in ratings, garnering the second highest rating for season behind the fifth episode "Here Comes the Brood", with 20.3 million viewers. The season was released on DVD by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment in 2005, nearly 12 years after its premiere.
Production
Concept The concept for The Nanny came into fruition during Drescher's trip to France and the United Kingdom. In France, Drescher lived with a family and observed the family's life with a Guatemalan nanny. After leaving France, Drescher left for the United Kingdom to visit close friend, model and former Princesses co-star Twiggy. While there, Drescher spent time with Twiggy and her husband Leigh Lawson's children. Drescher noted how she felt out of place in the country: "Everything was so English, so proper. I felt like this loud New Yorker, so crude, so blue collar, so Jewish." Drescher called her husband, producer Peter Marc Jacobson, and told him her idea of "a takeoff of The Sound of Music, only I come through the door instead of Julie Andrews."
Development Drescher had previously starred in the television sitcom Princesses on CBS in 1991. The series, spearheaded by Jeff Sagansky, was plagued with rumors of behind-the-scenes drama. The series' launch underperformed and after only five episodes amidst declining ratings, CBS canceled the show. Drescher met up with Sagansky during her flight to France and arranged for her and Jacobson to pitch an idea for CBS. After her trip to France and visit with Twiggy, Drescher told her idea to her husband, who stated "That's an idea that will sell." Four months later, the series was put into pre-production with Drescher and Jacobson signed on as writers and executive producers.
In January 1994, the season received a full-season pickup.
Cast and characters
Main Fran Drescher as Fran Fine Charles Shaughnessy as Maxwell Sheffield Daniel Davis as Niles Lauren Lane as Chastity Claire "C.C" Babcock Nicholle Tom as Maggie Sheffield Benjamin Salisbury as Brighton Sheffield Madeline Zima as Grace Sheffield
Recurring Renée Taylor as Sylvia Fine Rachel Chagall as Val Toriello Ann Morgan Guilbert as Yetta Rosenberg
Special guest stars Carol Channing as herself Cloris Leachman as Clara Mueller Lesley-Anne Down as Chloe Simpson Twiggy as Jocelyn Sheffield Leigh Lawson as Lester Dan Aykroyd as Repair Man Rita Moreno as Mrs. Wickervich Stone Robert Culp as Stewart Babcock Patti LaBelle as herself
Guest stars Jonathan Penner as Danny Imperialli Jimmy Marsden as Eddie Dorothy Lyman as Maureen Wentworth Nikki Cox as Cindy Wentworth Nancy Frangione as Marsha Rosenberg Ian Abercrombie as Butler Inspector #1 Brian George as Butler Inspector #2 Zack Norman as Jack Rosenberg Cristine Rose as Dr. Bort Allan Rich as Pauly the pawnbroker Stephen Nichols as Brock Storm Matt McCoy as Steve Mintz Maree Cheatham as Emma Trusdale Marianne Muellerleile as Andrea's mother Tina Hart as Andrea Anthony Cistaro as Carlo Andy Dick as Pepé / Bernie Louis Guss as Irving Koenig Jackie Tohn as Tiffany Koenig Doug Ballard as Doctor Link Francesca P. Roberts as Nurse Smith Gregg Rogell as Kenny Keroucan Lane Davies as Nigel, Duke of Salisbury Eric Braeden as Frank Bradley Miko Hughes as Frank Bradley Jr. Leann Hunley as Bobbi Jo Miriam Flynn as country club manager
Episodes
Home media The Nanny: The Complete First Season Set Details Special Features 22 Episodes 3-Disc Set English Stereo Sound Subtitles in French, Spanish, and Portuguese Audio CommentariesAudio Commentary from Fran Drescher "The Making of The Nanny" Release Dates Region 1
References
External links