Country of origin United States Original network CBS | No. of episodes 22 | |
Original release November 3, 1993 (1993-11-03) – May 16, 1994 (1994-05-16) | ||
The first season of The Nanny, an American situational comedy television series, 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 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.
Contents
Based on an idea inspired by Drescher's visit with a friend and Mary Poppins, the season 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 sitcoms plotlines, many of whom were related to Fran.
The Nanny's 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 in DVD format by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment in 2005, nearly 12 years after its launch.
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 series 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 five episode and decline rates, 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.