Ep 12. The Show Must Go On

In season 1 episode 12 of The Nanny titled "The Show Must Go On," we find Fran Fine (Fran Drescher) once again in her element: show business. Fran's dream of being on Broadway is finally within reach when she lands a role in a musical called "Cats." However, her dreams are crushed when she injures her ankle during rehearsal and must drop out of the show.

Fran is disappointed, but she doesn't let it break her spirit. Instead, she comes up with a plan to still be involved with the show. She convinces Maxwell Sheffield (Charles Shaughnessy) to take over her role in the musical, arguing that it will be great publicity for the Sheffield family. Maxwell reluctantly agrees but only on the condition that Fran continues to coach him.

As rehearsals progress, it becomes clear that Maxwell is not a natural performer. He struggles with his lines, his singing, and his dancing. Fran pushes him hard, but he responds with frustration. Meanwhile, Brighton (Benjamin Salisbury) is causing trouble of his own by trying to sell unauthorized merchandise from the show.

As opening night approaches, tensions rise and nerves run high. Maxwell is a wreck, convinced that he will embarrass himself on stage. Fran is worried that he won't be ready in time, but she keeps pushing him. Even Niles (Daniel Davis) gets involved, donning a cat costume to help Maxwell with his dancing.

The night of the show arrives, and despite all the drama, the performance goes off without a hitch. Maxwell shines on stage, winning rave reviews from the audience. Fran is ecstatic, both for the success of the show and for the fact that her coaching paid off.

In the end, "The Show Must Go On" is a heartwarming episode about hard work, determination, and the power of believing in oneself. It shows us that even when things don't go as planned, there is always a way to make the best of a difficult situation. With its witty humor and classic '90s charm, The Nanny continues to be a beloved sitcom that remains relevant and entertaining to this day.