Fran Drescher on a Nanny reboot: ‘I’m taking meetings’

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Fran Drescher will always be The Nanny for many fans, immortalized in the CBS sitcom which ran from 1993-1999. (For me she’ll always be music industry publicist Bobbi Fleckman from This is Spinal Tap or the receptionist-turned-reporter in Weird Al’s cinematic opus UHF). Fran also loves her iconic character, Fran Fine, and would be more than happy to bring her back to television.

In a recent interview with Jezebel, the 60-year-old actress talked about the show’s legacy (and 90s-licious wardrobe), and revealed that some Fran Fine-esque chutzpah was what brought the show to television. As Fran recalled:

I learned at an early age in my career, I was still living at home with my parents, that you got to take a shot. Carpe diem. Don’t get in your way because the feeling of regret for not putting yourself completely in something is much worse than maybe feeling a little scared or embarrassed. Just never compromise yourself. Always give 150 percent and make something happen. That whole show started because I was on a plane with the president of CBS and somebody else had said, “Oh my god, there he is. I wish I could go up and talk to him.” But they didn’t! I did! I did. I ran into the bathroom and as I’m putting makeup on, I’m saying, “Carpe diem! Carpe diem!”

Nothing would’ve happened if I didn’t try that. I convinced him that I wanted to pitch ideas for my own show. I said, “I’m too unique. Nothing that’s gonna be written is gonna fit me close. Peter and I know my own brand of comedy better than anyone. You gotta let us pitch something.” P.S., I didn’t even have that at the time! But he said, nine-and-a-half hours later when we landed at Charles de Gaulle, “When we get back to LA, call me and I’ll set you up a pitch meeting with the head of comedy development.” It wasn’t until I was on that trip that I came up with the idea. So you just never know when opportunity knocks and how to take hold of it.

[From Jezebel]

When asked about the possibility of the show returning, Fran said “You know, I’m taking meetings. I want to get interest in maybe doing a Nanny sequel for TV. I just don’t know if the networks are hip to the fact that people in the world still love it! And would totally watch a sequel to it.” She added that she was discussing the return with Sony.

Full disclosure, I never watched one episode of The Nanny, but I do like Fran. Her heart is definitely in the right place, as she used much of the interview to promote her third annual Fran Drescher Health Summit, as part of her Cancer Schmancer nonprofit. Fran herself is a survivor of uterine cancer and does a lot of work to inform people abut the disease and both traditional and emerging treatments and support. As Fran put it, summit attendees are “gonna go home transformed from patient into medical consumer. You’re gonna get a game-plan. You’re gonna stop being a mindless consumer and start being mindful.”

As for the future of The Nanny, since reboots of beloved 80s and 90s shows seem to be the hottest trend in the television industry, I can see The Nanny join the (seemingly endless) list of shows making a second go of it on the small screen. I’m not sure if this is a good thing or not.

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33 Responses to “Fran Drescher on a Nanny reboot: ‘I’m taking meetings’”

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  1. Clare says:

    Please god no.

    I did enjoy the show aaaaages ago, but how will it’s stereotypes, japes and tropes translate to 2017?

  2. Enough Already says:

    Mr. Sheffield! I used to binge watch this and The Golden Girls with my mom when I was in college. Memories 🙂

    • Imqrious2 says:

      Miss FIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINE! I would DEFINITELY watch anything Fran does. LOVE her. I was a big fan of the show. The 5 main characters, and Ann Guilbert as Yetta… perfection! (Yetta’s Letters!)

      I do remember reading that Charles Shaunaussey wasn’t her first choice for Mr. Sheffield, but I can’t picture the other actor she had in mind for him (the English actor, real name Ian someone??, who was in the episode playing the doctor who pretended to get engaged to her) , but CS was perfect in that part.

  3. Alexandria says:

    I’m a huge unabashed fan of The Nanny and would watch repeats. But I don’t think a remake would be executed well. The chutzpah, the kooky charm would be hard to replicate. It had amazing supporting actors and they were one of a kind.

    • Lolo86lf says:

      I agree. I would watch too. Hey if they have a successful Will and Grace comeback why not the Nanny.

    • KLO says:

      Now that I think of it, I agree. The ensemble cast for the show was amazing and perfect. It will not be the same without the children and the butler. And Mr. Sheffield.

      God I miss this show.

      • Alexandria says:

        KLO, exactly. The supporting actors really made this show, especially towards the later seasons IMO. I preferred the older characters (Sylvia, CC, Niles!) compared to the kids. Everything Sylvia and Niles uttered were a hoot.

        I’m just pleased there are many fans like me. I remember telling my class I loved The Nanny and at that time, Seinfeld was considered intellectually more superior lol. I guess my ‘uncouth’ taste says I’m from Flushing too! EH HEH! *NASALLY

  4. QueenB says:

    Crazy idea: How about original new shows?

    • Charlie says:

      I remember when making even one sequel was looked upon with scorn And while there are some genuinely good serial film and TV, I am so tired of the TV to film, film to TV, remakes and super hero churn that is Hollywood these days. I feel like so much talent, especially writers, is wasted on retooling entertainment that has had its day iin the sun.

  5. Joss RED says:

    Oh, my Gosh, I’m having PALPITATIONS! Quick, get my medicine (it’s the chocolate syrup on the fridge).

  6. Lolo86lf says:

    “I never watched a single episode of the Nanny”!!!!! Oh my God. It is never too late to watch re-runs. 🙂

  7. G-g-gina says:

    I actually watched the sitcoms she did after and loved them, though both were canceled after two seasons. I love Fran. Not sure how the nanny would translate to now, but if it happens I will watch.

    • Imqrious2 says:

      I really liked “Happily Divorced”. The actor that played her husband on that show is now on “Great News”

  8. Lauren says:

    This would have worked in the Obama era. But that show is too positive for today. Not going to work.

  9. Justine says:

    It was a super cute show. I’d watch a reboot.

  10. Beth says:

    Might be better than the millions of dumb reality shows that are on every single night.

  11. LadyT says:

    She looks like Jessica Seinfeld here.

  12. evadstructn says:

    The Nanny is such a classic… Please please please dont let a bad reboot ruin it!

  13. Tootsie McJingle says:

    There’s actually an episode where Fran Drescher does double duty and plays Fran and Bobbi Fleckman (called The Bobbi Fleckman Story).

  14. The Original G says:

    No. Stop.

  15. Ninks says:

    I loved The Nanny. I don’t think I’ll ever get over the shock of hearing the theme tune for the first time and realising that fanny meant something different in America.

  16. Lexter says:

    Loved The Nanny and still watch old eps but cringe through it… the inappropriate scenarios that made it funny then wouldn’t stand today.. the racism, homophobia, domestic violence (Mr Sheffield chasing her in anger… what was he going to do when he caught her!??!!), the painfully outdated gender roles….
    This show needs to stay in its era (just like Friends)

    But… she looks amaaaazing! How old is she?! Surely 50+?

    • Lexter says:

      She is 60!!!!!

    • FHMom says:

      So much old comedy is just not funny today. Ralph Kramden threatening to send Alice to the moon. I can’t believe anybody laughed at that. Archie Bunker would be sent to jail.

  17. Pina says:

    I would loooove a reboot

  18. Wednesday says:

    My tween-age crush when I would watch reboots on Nick-at-Night! So hilarious and charming (and she rocked the hell outta the 90s chic). Not really sure what the plot line of the reboot would be? The kids would all be fully adults and she wasn’t a nanny at the end, right?

    • OTHER RENEE says:

      No, she married Mr. Sheffield and had twins. This is one of my all-time favorite shows. As much as I loved it, I’m not a fan of reboots. I loved how it ended. But I’d probably give it a try anyway.

  19. SoulSPA says:

    Her face looks so young!!!! I loved the Nanny show. Would give it a chance at a remake. Would watch an episode or two for sure.

  20. Erica_V says:

    I would 100% watch a new season – I loved this show!!! She could be like the live in Grandma/Nanny to Gracie’s kids or something.

  21. Amelie says:

    I would 100% watch a revival of this show since it was such a huge part of my childhood growing up in the 90s. However not sure where they could take the storyline. The kids are all grown up (though now I that I think of it didn’t Fran have twins with Mr Sheffield towards the end of the show? Maybe focus on them I’m assuming by now they’d be in their late teens/early twenties?) and Fran has no business actually being a nanny. However I’d watch a show just based on Niles and Cece Babcock, those two were hilarious.

  22. booRadley says:

    I loved the nanny, and I still the theme song way too often, its personally one of favourite tv theme songs. CC, Fran even Niles, all hold a special place in my heart. But she’s not a nanny anymore, she married to Maxwell. What would the show even be about, unless she started to nanny for her own grandchildren, or she created her own nanny agency and every week followed one her nanny’s on one of their jobs. ooo oo or as a 60 y/o woman, she and Max are divorced and she is an adult caregiver for a new guy’s father, and both the old guy and his age appropriate son are attracted to Fran and hilarity ensues. OMG somebody get me that TV execs number, i am coming up with gold here lol

  23. mrs norton says:

    I. Would. Love. This!