The fifth season of the American television sitcom The Nanny aired on CBS from October 1, 1997, to May 13, 1998. 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., Highschool Sweethearts and TriStar Television, the series features Drescher, Jacobson, Fraser, Sternin, Caryn Lucas and Diane Wilk as executive producers.

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 sitcoms plotlines, many of whom were related to Fran.

Production Lauren Lane was pregnant through half the season, which was covered up by a scripted weight gain and a character arc that allowed her to be absent for several episodes.

The previous season, CBS had moved the series from the anchor of its Monday night lineup to Wednesday nights, both to make room for Bill Cosby's comeback vehicle Cosby as the anchor of its Monday night lineup, and to improve the ratings of its Wednesday night series. The move caused a decline in ratings, as it was paired with series with which it seen as incompatible such as Pearl, or series such as Temporarily Yours that quickly faltered in the ratings. During the first half of the fifth season, CBS paired the series with the final season of Murphy Brown. However, both experienced significant declines in the ratings. Midway through the season, CBS executives threatened to cancel the series unless Fran and Mr. Sheffield marry. Although they were against the idea, Drescher and Jacobson did so in the interest of continuing the series.

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 Spalding Gray as Dr. Jack Miller

Guest stars Joey Slotnick as Brian Levine Michael Ensign as Trevor Jennie Kwan as Mai Ling Allan Rich as Uncle Ray Fred Stoller as Fred, the pharmacist Ajay Mehta as Akbar Vasili Bogazianos as Burglar Chris Hogan as Dirk T. K. Carter as Ty Leila Kenzle as Naomi Demble Richard Fancy as Chandler Evans Liz Torres as Consuela Jessica Tuck as C.C.'s Replacement Kathryn Joosten as Ward Nurse Yvonne Sciò as Geneviève Sophie Ward as Jocelyn Sheffield Darryl Hickman as Officiating Priest Morty Drescher as Uncle Stanley

Special guest stars Roseanne Barr as Cousin Sheila Elton John as himself David Furnish as himself Brian Setzer as himself Lisa Loeb as Chloe Lainie Kazan as Aunt Freida Joyce Brothers as Dr. Joyce Brothers Chevy Chase as himself Ray Charles as Sammy Bryant Gumbel as himself Harry Hamlin as Professor Steve Scott Baio as Dr. Frankie Cresitelli Michael Bolton as himself Joan Van Ark as Margo Lange Cindy Adams as herself Dick Martin as Preston Collier Coolio as Irwin Ray Romano as Ray Barone Robert Vaughn as James Sheffield Maria Conchita Alonso as Concepcion Sheffield Harry Van Gorkum as Nigel Sheffield Whoopi Goldberg as Edna Marla Maples as herself

Episodes

References

External links