Du côté de chez Fran

Fran Drescher is perhaps the most talented and smartest woman in show business...or maybe one of the smartest PEOPLE in the business, period! On her previous show, "The Nanny", which ran for six years on CBS and is now a smash in syndication, here and abroad, she surrounded herself with the best: superb supporting cast, great writing, top guest stars. She NEVER fell into the trap of making the show all about Fran, but let every cast member have their moment, in every episode. This is a smart performer!

I've watched the first three episodes of her new series. She's just as gifted, just as gorgeous...but it hasn't clicked completely yet. Perhaps she needs a strong co-producer (her ex-husband was that, on "The Nanny"); perhaps it's better writers and a sassy ADULT character to play off of (the daughter is good, but Fran needs an "Ethel"...or a Niles!); perhaps it's just a matter of time. The first season of "Nanny" took awhile to find itself.

The jury is still out on this one, but I'm giving it a chance, watching every episode. Fran is so gifted, she'll always be around, the Lucille Ball of her generation.

I was fortunate to be at the taping of the pilot episode the other night. The writing was brilliant, lots of laughs, and the chemistry between the cast members was awesome! Fran Drescher is the perfect choice for hip & sexy divorcee, Fran Reeves, and I couldn't imagine anyone other than Misti Traya in the part of Allison. She owned her role of the obnoxious little sister with an attitude to boot!

Ryan McPartlin is really easy on the eyes as Riley, the "goy toy" as Fran's son Josh refers to him, and even though he is younger than Josh, he is believable as Fran's live in lover. Ben Feldman brings the show together as Josh... The son who thought his world was coming undone when he snapped and got kick out of medical school. As he soon found out, that was nothing in comparison to coming home and finding his mother playing house with an ex-jock. I really hope this show gets picked up, and that I can be there for the taping of the 100th episode.

Josh to Riley: "You're only here because my mother is having a mid-life crisis. If she were a guy, you'd be a Porsche."

I am looking forward to watching more of Living with Fran. Its not that bad. Fran seems to be a little out of place in this role, not being able to exhibit her New York, Jewish themes that made The Nanny such a hit. I was almost expecting Sylvia "Ma" Fine to be at the door or on the phone. And I missed Niles and CC. Charles Shaughnessy as a guest was great. He naturally fit in and for a minute it seemed like it was a continuation of The Nanny. Ben Feldman is very good and witty. Misti Traya is excellent as Allison and offers great commentary. Ryan McPartlin's acting is almost nonexistent and just as the show promotes, he is simply the good looking young guy. The relationship between him and Fran is very unrealistic, its almost forced. Fran and Charles on The Nanny had a very good on screen presence, as opposed to Riley, who is very wooden. Hopefully, he will learn from the comic genius that is Fran Drescher and become a great actor. I have faith in this show, it just needs time.

My best friend and I were really looking forward to Living With Fran, and we must say we are totally disappointed. The writing was trite, the acting below average. We did like the daughter, Allison. The actress playing that role was the only believable character. The handsome 'goy toy', easy on the eyes, but needs a few more acting lessons.

I expected more from Fran, whom I just love. She is selling herself short on this sitcom. The second episode was a flip of the first episode. How many times will we have to see family members be shocked to learn of their age difference?

Fran would have been better off going for a more dramatic role, like the guest starring role she played on Lifetimes 'Strong Medicine'. She was sensational in that role.

To sum it up, its not what we expected at all. To those who enjoy it, good for you. We won't be watching, sorry Fran.

I have watched the show since the premiere and I think it is a hit. I don't think that Fran can do a bad show, she has talent just oozing out of her, she is real, down to earth, funny, and quick witted. I LOVE THE SHOW and don't change anything about it. I watched her show the Nanny from the pilot episode to the series finale, and even though I have seen it many times, it is still funny, not the kind of humor that gets boring after awhile, but she is continuously funny and refreshing.

Fran Drescher is the kind of actress that can take a bad script and turn it into a hit, thats why I say I don't think she could do a bad show.

SHE IS AWESOME!!!!!