“The Nanny” is not only a classic sitcom with charming acting, but also a place that creates unbelievable behind-the-scenes moments. There was an episode so special that the entire crew had to stop filming many times just because… they couldn’t stop laughing!
A Phenomenon That Stormed Television in the 90s
“The Nanny” – a hit comedy that aired from 1993 to 1999 – created a wave of love around the world thanks to the main character Fran Fine, played by Fran Drescher. With her signature voice, bold fashion style, and “half-crying, half-laughing” situations, “The Nanny” became an indispensable spiritual food for millions of viewers.
However, not everyone knows that there are segments in the film that even the actors and production crew… couldn’t complete.
Episode That Caused “Chaos” Because of Laughter: “The In-Law Who Came to Dinner” (Season 3, Episode 18)
Of the hundreds of episodes of “The Nanny”, “The In-Law Who Came to Dinner” is one of the episodes that the crew had to re-shoot the most. The reason? Daniel Davis (who plays Niles – the Sheffield family’s butler) had an “unbearable” improvisation that made everyone on set… collapse with laughter.
Uncontrollable Moments
In this episode, Mr. Sheffield’s future mother-in-law came to dinner, and of course Fran Fine did not miss the opportunity to “shine”. However, when Niles entered the room with an “excellent” expression and a humorous improvised line about “burned steak”, Fran Drescher, Charles Shaughnessy and the entire crew could not help but laugh.
Fran even had to turn away for fear of ruining the scene. Every time Davis repeated this scene, he would change it a little bit – from his expression to his tone – making everyone unable to control their emotions. The director was forced to stop filming several times to let the crew “cool down”.
Behind the Scenes: Laughter Is an Indispensable Part
What Fran Drescher Said?
In a later interview, Fran Drescher shared:
“I used to think I was so professional that I wouldn’t be easily distracted on set. But when Daniel started… I completely ‘broke down’. We laughed until tears came to our eyes. The director had to shout ‘CUT!’ a few times. But that’s what made ‘The Nanny’ special.”
Charles Shaughnessy Didn’t Escape, Too
The actor who played Mr. Sheffield also confirmed that Daniel Davis always had “the ability to make people laugh without saying a word.” He said:
“There were times when I couldn’t look Davis in the eye when I was doing serious scenes. Just a raise of his eyebrow would completely distract me.”
The “Accident” Scene Becomes Iconic
Interestingly, despite having to be re-shot many times, a part of the “accident” scene in this episode was still kept because it was so realistic and funny. This is also the episode that audiences often mention in the “The Nanny Fan Club” forums as an “unforgettable memory” of the whole crew.
Why Is This Episode Still Remembered Forever?
Great improvisation: Daniel Davis showed his excellent comedy talent by adding details on the spot. Natural reaction: The laughter of the cast was not fake – this is what made it genuine and attractive. Funny behind the scenes: The behind-the-scenes clip of this scene was once spread on social media, proving that “The Nanny” is not only funny on screen but also a laughing party behind the camera.
Conclusion: When Humor Becomes the Energy of the Entire Film
“The Nanny” is successful not only because of its clever script or “cool” fashion, but also because of the close relationship between the actors and the hilarious moments behind the scenes. The episode “The In-Law Who Came to Dinner” is a clear proof of that: when uncontrollable humor is the element that makes the entire film immortal.
