"Living With Fran" -- The Verdict

2005-04-09 - 3:44 a.m.

Living With Fran: About the Show

Comedy superstar Fran Drescher comes to The WB in a brand new series, "Living With Fran." With a starting point similar to the network's hit comedy, "Reba," "Living With Fran" revolves around a woman who has come to a crossroads and is starting to enjoy the new direction her life has taken.

The incomparable Ms. Drescher stars as Fran Reeves, a divorc�e who has found Riley (Ryan McPartlin, "Passions"), her wonderful, gorgeous - and yes, young - mid-twenties boyfriend. Their relationship is complicated by the fact that they are sharing a home with Fran's 21-year-old son, Josh (newcomer Ben Feldman), and 15-year-old daughter, Allison (Misti Traya, "Huff"), but Fran isn't complaining. Her new household may be non-traditional, but as she watches her old life intersect with her new one, Fran is sure this is right where she's supposed to be. The return of her son is challenging for Fran, but it makes her realize how much her life has changed - for the better.

Because this unusual family is still trying to figure each other out, they are destined to face some highly uncomfortable events, such as an unexpected visit from Riley's parents (guest stars Marilu Henner, "Taxi," and John Schneider, "Smallville") and the return of Fran's ex-husband (guest star Charles Shaughnessy, Ms. Drescher's former co-star on "The Nanny"). Fran will also meet several of Riley's friends and face their reactions to the relationship. Everywhere they turn, Fran and Riley will have to deal with other people's attitudes and assumptions about their new domestic situation, and it will take all the humor, patience and affection they can manage to make this family work.

"Living With Fran" is from Regency Television with executive producers Bob Myer, Jamie Kennedy and Fran Drescher and co-executive producers David Garrett & Jason Ward, Tim Kelleher and Frank Lombardi.

Copyright � 2005, Tribune Interactive

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I watched "Living With Fran" this evening. I had set the DVR, and recorded both episodes. The pilot episode, which aired at 8:30 p.m., and the second episode at 9:30 p.m on the WB Network.

I was nervous, I'll admit. To see Fran away from the cast of "The Nanny", one of my two all-time favorite shows, frightened me a bit. And it's a WB show, which worried me even more.

The chemistry on "The Nanny" was like no other I've ever seen in an emsemble cast. Everyone seemed so comfortable from the first episode, right up until the final show. And it worked.

"Living With Fran" is terrific.

I found myself giggling at her delivery and comedic timing, and the cast played along perfectly. (And guess who rediscovered the letter "r"?) The show's most noteworthy cast member (next to Fran)? Misti Traya, who portrays her 15 year-old daughter, 'Allison'. She's absolutely terrific.

I'll be watching this for (hopefully) a long time to come. Check it out if you get a chance. If you enjoy Fran Drescher as much as I do, you're in for a treat.