Fran Drescher and The Nanny co-stars recreate the fabulous pilot during virtual Pandemic Table Read


The cast of The Nanny just recreated their pilot episode with a very special virtual Pandemic Table read.

Revisiting the beloved sitcom a full 26-years after its premiere, Fran Drescher and friends were still funny as ever.

Drescher, 62, kicked off the clip, saying: ‘This so great to see the cast back together again’ as the cast popped up onscreen in a Brady Bunch-style Zoom grid. 

Where they started: The cast of The Nanny just recreated their pilot episode with a very special virtual Pandemic Table read a full 26-years after it originally aired.

‘I’m just so thrilled that we’re doing this,’ she went on. 

Then she introduced co-star Charles Shaughnessy who she called her favorite leading man in the world. 

Shaughnessy, who plays patriarch Maxwell Sheffield, kicked off a chain of introductions revealing that all of the core cast was ready for a flashback.

Renee Taylor (the 87-year-old actress who plays Fran’s mom Sylvia) had a memorable self-introduction, telling viewers: ‘It’s so great to be here, 26 years is like yesterday. And the wonderful thing is that I look much younger today.’

Also in the mix was Daniel Davis (butler/chauffeur Niles), Lauren Lane (CC Babcock, Max’s business partner), and Rachel Chagall (Fran’s BFF Val.)

All together now! Drescher, 62, kicked off the clip, saying: 'This so great to see the cast back together again' as the cast popped up onscreen in a Brady Bunch-style grid

All together now! Drescher, 62, kicked off the clip, saying: ‘This so great to see the cast back together again’ as the cast popped up onscreen in a Brady Bunch-style grid

Leading gal: Fran is seen during her time on the show above

Leading gal: Fran is seen during her time on the show above

What an intro: Fran introduced co-star Charles Shaughnessy as her favorite leading man in the world

Shaughnessy plays patriarch Maxwell Sheffield, seen above in 1997

What an intro: Fran introduced co-star Charles Shaughnessy as her favorite leading man in the world. Shaughnessy plays patriarch Maxwell Sheffield

Better than ever! Renee Taylor (the 87-year-old actress who plays Fran's mom Sylvia) had a memorable self-introduction, telling viewers: 'It's so great to be here, 26 years is like yesterday. And the wonderful thing is that I look much younger today'

Better than ever! Renee Taylor (the 87-year-old actress who plays Fran’s mom Sylvia) had a memorable self-introduction, telling viewers: ‘It’s so great to be here, 26 years is like yesterday. And the wonderful thing is that I look much younger today’

Back then: Renee is seen during an 1997 episode above

Back then: Renee is seen during an 1997 episode above

And of course there were the kids – Maggie, Brighton and Grace – played by Nicholle Tom, Benjamin Salisbury and Madeline Zima.

Supporting players Jonathan Penner (Fran’s ex Danny), guest stars Alex Sternin (Eddie), Dee Dee Rescher (Dotty), intro singer Ann Hampton Callaway, and co-creator Peter Marc Jacobson also joined.

After opening up with the iconic theme, the stripped back version of The Nanny’s fabulous pilot began.

Madeline Zima

Benjamin Salisbury

Now: On screen siblings Madeline Zima and Benjamin Salisbury are seen side by side above

Flashback: The pair are pictured in character as Brighton and Grace Sheffield above

Flashback: The pair are pictured in character as Brighton and Grace Sheffield above

Grown up: Nicholle Tom played the oldest child Maggie

Grown up: Nicholle Tom played the oldest child Maggie

Eldest child: This pictured is dated 1997

Eldest child: This pictured is dated 1997

Fran's rival: Lauren Lane was back as CC Babcock, Max's business partner

The help: Daniel Davis was back as butler/chauffeur Niles

Fran’s rival: Lauren Lane was back as CC Babcock, Max’s business partner

Back and forth: There was always great banter between Fran and Niles

Back and forth: There was always great banter between Fran and Niles

The help: Daniel Davis was back as butler/chauffeur Niles

He's pictured on the show above

The help: Daniel Davis was back as butler/chauffeur Niles

The first episode follows how the down on her luck Fran Fine meets the affluent Sheffield family.

After her beau Danny breaks up with her and fires her from his bridal shop in one fell swoop, Fran finds herself selling makeup door-to-door.

That’s when she happens to ring the bell at the Sheffield home, where a mix-up lets her interview for a nanny position with the family. 

Although initially reluctant, Max hires her to take care of his trio of kids.

Ding dong! The first episode follows how the down on her luck Fran Fine meets the affluent Sheffield family while selling makeup door-to-door

Ding dong! The first episode follows how the down on her luck Fran Fine meets the affluent Sheffield family while selling makeup door-to-door

What are the chances! A mix-up lets her interview for a nanny position and, in desperate need of a caretaker, Max hires her

What are the chances! A mix-up lets her interview for a nanny position and, in desperate need of a caretaker, Max hires her

Present day: The family and Fran are seen together above

Present day: The family and Fran are seen together above

Fran talked to Variety about the reunion ahead of its Monday release, explaining: ‘Laughter is the best medicine!’

‘So, in these challenging times, Petah [co-creator, Peter Marc Jacobson] and I thought, wouldn’t it be great if we pulled together the original cast of The Nanny for a virtual read of the pilot?’ 

‘It’s a once in a lifetime Pandemic Performance for our fans around the world who are currently stressing in isolation and could use a real upper! It sure has given each of us a lift and we hope it does for you as well.’

Laughing through it: Fran talked to Variety about the reunion ahead of its Monday release, explaining: 'Laughter is the best medicine!'

Laughing through it: Fran talked to Variety about the reunion ahead of its Monday release, explaining: ‘Laughter is the best medicine!’

What a plan: 'So, in these challenging times, Petah [co-creator, Peter Marc Jacobson] and I thought, wouldn't it be great if we pulled together the original cast of The Nanny for a virtual read of the pilot?'

What a plan: ‘So, in these challenging times, Petah [co-creator, Peter Marc Jacobson] and I thought, wouldn’t it be great if we pulled together the original cast of The Nanny for a virtual read of the pilot?’

The special also helped support Fran’s charity Cancer Schmancer. 

For fans craving a fix of The Nanny, the six-season series is available on The Roku Channel, Cozi TV, and Logo TV in the USA. 

The April 6 stream is also happening along with a marathon of the show on Logo.

Drescher currently stars on the NBC comedy Indebted and is helping develop a Broadway version of The Nanny.

For fans craving a fix of The Nanny, the six-season series is available on The Roku Channel, Cozi TV, and Logo TV in the USA. 

Stream queen: For fans craving a fix of The Nanny, the six-season series is available on The Roku Channel, Cozi TV, and Logo TV in the USA

Stream queen: For fans craving a fix of The Nanny, the six-season series is available on The Roku Channel, Cozi TV, and Logo TV in the USA