It's obvious that sometimes the best help comes from someone not manipulated (err trained) to be the right person for certain jobs. It's obvious that Maxwell Sheffield (Charles Shaugnessy) really needs help taking care of his troubled children: insecure Maggie, bratty Brighton and neurotic Gracie. That help comes in the form of Fran Dresher (as Fran Fine), a gregarious Jewish girl from Flushing Queens. Thanks to Fran, the world picked up on Yiddish slang (starting with "chachka's"), and this continued with her wacky family and friends. We briefly meet mother Sylvia (Renee Taylor) and best friend Val, as well as sarcastic butler Niles (Daniel Davis) and stuffy partner C.C. (Lauren Lane) whose verbal squabbles are a highlight of the show. The Fran fashion parade starts here with "the lady in red", inspiring many a drag queen. The mix of comedy, sentiment and honesty creates a continuing element, rare on a sitcom.
2 Reviews
We've Been Expecting You
PK-Jay-200022 January 2024
Warning: Spoilers
Niles to Fran on the fateful day she rings the doorbell at Maxwell Sheffield's mansion. Of course Fran was selling cosmetics door to door, but unknown to her the Sheffield's were in need of a new nanny.
We see almost all of the principal characters in the pilot. (No grandma yet). This is the beginning of seeing Fran Drescher in some "far out" tight outfits. (It doesn't hurt as she looks great in them with that physique).
CC's character comes off as extremely unlikeable but Lauren plays it perfectly. As the series continues on you start to slightly warm up to her character as it's crucial to the comedic chaos. In fact, for me at least, my favorite part of the show is the friction between Niles & CC. (Chastity Claire).
Poor Fran gets fired twice in the episode.
An excellent pilot to a very funny series.
We see almost all of the principal characters in the pilot. (No grandma yet). This is the beginning of seeing Fran Drescher in some "far out" tight outfits. (It doesn't hurt as she looks great in them with that physique).
CC's character comes off as extremely unlikeable but Lauren plays it perfectly. As the series continues on you start to slightly warm up to her character as it's crucial to the comedic chaos. In fact, for me at least, my favorite part of the show is the friction between Niles & CC. (Chastity Claire).
Poor Fran gets fired twice in the episode.
An excellent pilot to a very funny series.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews