| Season Number: | 5 |
| Bgcolour: |
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| Num Episodes: | 23 |
| Network: | CBS |
| Episode List: | List of The Nanny episodes |
The fifth season of the American television sitcom The Nanny aired on CBS from October 1, 1997, to May 13, 1998. The series was created by actress Fran Drescher and her-then husband Peter Marc Jacobson, and developed by Prudence Fraser and Robert Sternin. Produced by Sternin and Fraser Ink Inc., Highschool Sweethearts and TriStar Television, the series features Drescher, Jacobson, Fraser, Sternin, Caryn Lucas and Diane Wilk as executive producers.
Based on an idea inspired by Drescher's visit with a friend and The Sound of Music, the series revolves around Fran Fine, a Jewish woman from Flushing, Queens, New York, who is hired by a wealthy Broadway producer to be the nanny to his three children. Drescher stars as the titular character, Charles Shaughnessy as British-born producer Maxwell Sheffield, and the children – Maggie, Brighton and Grace – portrayed by Nicholle Tom, Benjamin Salisbury, and Madeline Zima. The series also features Daniel Davis as Niles, the family butler, and Lauren Lane as C.C. Babcock, Maxwell's associate in his production company who is smitten with him. Several recurring characters also played a role in the sitcoms plotlines, many of whom were related to Fran.
Lauren Lane was pregnant through half the season, which was covered up by a scripted weight gain and a character arc that allowed her to be absent for several episodes.
The previous season, CBS had moved the series from the anchor of its Monday night lineup to Wednesday nights, both to make room for Bill Cosby's comeback vehicle Cosby as the anchor of its Monday night lineup, and to improve the ratings of its Wednesday night series. The move caused a decline in ratings, as it was paired with series with which it seen as incompatible such as Pearl, or series such as Temporarily Yours that quickly faltered in the ratings.[1] During the first half of the fifth season, CBS paired the series with the final season of Murphy Brown. However, both experienced significant declines in the ratings. Midway through the season, CBS executives threatened to cancel the series unless Fran and Mr. Sheffield marry. Although they were against the idea, Drescher and Jacobson did so in the interest of continuing the series.
See main article: List of The Nanny episodes.