"Where Are They Now?" Wednesdays: The Cast of the Nanny

Photo Credit: ShareTV.org

Hello my fellow nostalgia seeking friends! This week I've decided to take a look at the cast of one of my favorite TV shows, The Nanny. No judging! This is a judgement free zone! I'll admit that when my Mom watched it regularly back in the 90s, I wasn't a fan. I couldn't stand Fran's nasally voice, and her viewing time totally cut into my Barney watching time. Not ok. Only child problems. 

However, when Nick at Nite began re-airing episodes a few years ago, I became completely addicted. I began to actually appreciate the witty humor of the show. It's a perfect sitcom; it doesn't take itself too seriously, and the whole ensemble shines. Except maybe that Brighton kid; he actually annoyed me more than Fran's voice.

I actually loved it so much that my Dad scored me the complete series on DVD from some company in China. Yeah, that sounds completely legal, right? Well, the US only offers seasons one through three on DVD, so it's their own fault for not making the following three available!

My Box Set of All Six Seasons

The Nanny aired on TV from 1993-1999, so what has the cast been up to over the last thirteen years?(Side Note: Can anyone else not get over the fact that 1999 was thirteen years ago? I still think the 90s were only 10 years ago. Woah, reality check.) Anyways, a lot of the cast members have been surprisingly busy since then! Kudos to them for keeping active long after the series ended. 

Fran Drescher: The Nanny's central character has managed to still stay in the limelight for a bit. Not only has she remained active, she also beat cancer! She currently stars in a show on TVLand titled Happily Divorced. It's based on Fran's real life experience in which she married a man and later found out he was gay. Oops. However, two have remained amicable and are still close friends. He actually directs some episodes of Happily Divorced. Nanny fans will be happy to hear that there will be a brief Nanny reunion on this new show! 

Nanny Cast. Photo Credit: FanPop.com

Charles Shaughnessy: Mr. Shaughnessy stared as the dashing and charming Mr. Sheffield, Fran's main love interest and employer. Ooooh Scandalous. Since The Nanny ended, Charles has remained on Television, guest starring on shows such as Mad Men, Days of our Lives, Hannah Montana, and CSI: NY. I also recall catching him on an episode of Jeopardy! during the "celebrity" championship. He sadly lost to to Michael McKean.  Much like Fran and her actual ex-husband, the two have remained close, and he's made cameos on her other TV shows. He regularly updates his YouTube channel with vlogs. 

Daniel Davis: Everyone's favorite british butler, Niles, certainly gave that other snarky british butler on The Fresh Prince of Bel Air a run for his money. Niles' quick one liners were often the comedic heart of the role. Mr. Davis hasn't done much on television since The Nanny; he's instead re-entered the realm of professional theatre. He starred as the the title character in King Lear in a recent production by The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey. 

Lauren Lane: Niles' foil, the over dramatic and egotistical C.C. Babcock has kept a low profile since the end of the show. She's currently a professor in the Texas State University Theatre Department. During the latter half of The Nanny's run, she gave birth to her daughter, so she's made being mom her main focus since then.

So there you have it! Aren't flashbacks fun? I'd like to end this post with an invitation to you!

Does anyone have any "Where are the now?" requests? Feel free to leave some ideas in the comments.

Until then, I leave you with The Nanny's extremely catching and easily stuck in your head theme song:

Flashback Fridays: "Science-y Things"

Ms. Frizzle & Bill Nye Leave No Child Left Behind.
Photo Credit: GraphJam.com

When it comes to things involving Math & Science, I am always the first to admit that I haven't got a clue. I'm fine with words, literature, art, and facts, but once you throw numbers in there, you've lost me.

Case in point, I somehow managed to find a loop hole at my college that has allowed me to take JOUR175: Media Literacy as a Math Science course. It didn't involve equations or number voodoo magic, just analyzing articles and thinking critically.

However, if those actual math science courses had been taught by the great science teachers of the 90s, I would have been far more willing to take the classes. I am, of course, referring to Bill Nye the Science Guy and everyone's favorite elementary school teacher, Ms. Frizzle.

I can recall many mornings spent watching those shows before heading off to my real school. I think it's safe to say (as that handy graph points out) that I learned much more from those shows than I did sitting in an overcrowded classroom. Who says television rots our brains? I definitely learned some valuable life lessons from both shows.

The best day in any classroom was when you arrived to class and saw that big TV set on the cart. You know this one:

It usually meant one thing: Bill Nye videos. That show had everything: dinosaurs, terrible child actors, experiments to try at home, experiments you're not allowed to try at home, and that awesome theme song! (Bill Bill Bill Bill Bill Bill Bill Nye the Science Guy!) Because of that song, I will never forget that "inertia is a property of matter." I'm not even exactly sure what that means, but I know it, That has to count for something, right? Perhaps it will come in handy if I am on Jeopardy one day.

Bill Nye is actually still teaching science. It seems some people need to go back and watch his videos again. Watch as Bill attempts to explain Global Warming and the moon to a Fox News anchor: 

Perhaps Bill Nye could have used some help from the other best science teacher of the 90s, Ms. Frizzle. I'm sure I'm not the only one who wished my class field trips were as cool as hers. My class only went to the body exhibit at the science center. Ms. Frizzle's class got to actually go inside a body. Talk about hands on learning. 

Ms. Frizzle taught more than just those "science-y things." She also taught some valuable life lessons. I absolutely love her catch phrase: Take Chances! Make Mistakes! Get Messy! 

Wise words my friends. So even if you're like me and not inclined towards the math science or somehow gifted in those skills, you can still take those words to heart. In whatever field you pursue, don't be afraid to take chances, make mistakes, and get messy. Oh, and never forget: FoxNews doesn't know what they're talking about. Those four things will get you far in life.  

"Where Are They Now?" Wednesdays: Steve from Blue's Clues

Back during the days when I used to rot my brain in front of the TV,  I had quite a few favorite TV shows. Unsurprisingly, most of them were on either Disney Channel or Nick Jr. At least they were somewhat educational.

One of my top choices was Blue's Clues. Let's bask in the nostalgia:

I remember eagerly sitting down in front of the TV with my bowl of Kraft Mac & Cheese and watching it before rushing off to kindergarten every afternoon. I really don't know what it was that entranced me so much, but whatever it was worked.  Maybe it was the felt people, or that darling couple, Mr. Salt & Ms. Pepper.

Image Credit: Nick Jr. 

The most memorable part of Blue's Clues came in the form of the show's host, Steve. I watched during the golden age while he still danced around and searched for clues. He was later replaced by some impostor named Joe, and that wasn't even his real name.

After Steve's departure, many speculated over what became of him. There were rumors of a heroine over dose, but he's still alive and well. According to my roommate, "that's really disappointing."  There's not much to say about him now.  Shortly after leaving Blue's Clues, he pulled a Britney Spears and shaved his head. He also gave a music career a try.

 I'll have to admit, much like my roommate, I am rather disappointed by his low-key post Blue's Clues lifestyle.

SIDE NOTE: Did anyone else know that Blue was a girl?! How progressive!