The Real Inspiration Behind The Nanny

So what’s “The Nanny” based on really? Well, it’s based on Fran Drescher’s personal history, her background as an ex-bridal shop worker form Flushing, Queens, entrusted with looking after the offspring of a wealthy British person. Drescher, writing partner Peter Marc Jacobson, and the rest of the creative team that brought “The Nanny” to life and kept it alive for six full seasons, fleshed out the world of the show with some more personal flourishes from Drescher’s past.

That’s right: Fran Fine’s trademark — and Drescher’s too, for that matter — is her laugh, a loud, low-pitched bray. That’s played up for the sake of character and television, but it is based on the actual boisterous sounds that the real-life Drescher makes when she finds something particularly funny. Similarly, Fran Fine’s speaking voice resembles Drescher’s off-screen voice, it’s just heavily exaggerated.

Actor Chester Drescher appeared on 14 episodes across the nun of “The Nanny,” playing Chester Babcock. He was Fran Drescher’s dog, and he portrayed the pet of Fran Fine’s rival C.C. Babcock (Lauren Lane). When the cameras weren’t filming, Chester adored Drescher but didn’t much care for Lane, so the writers made it so Chester the character didn’t like CC. As they say, arf imitates life.