This column frequently touts the merits of shows with hidden depths. Unrecognised artistry. And I’m particularly fond of finding prestige television that masquerades as popcorn garbage. But sometimes, a spoon is just a spoon. Sometimes, a show is precisely what it markets itself to be. Sometimes, a Fran is Fine just the way it is.
The Nanny, one of the most popular sitcoms of all time, has endured for a reason. The premise is laid out cleanly in the charming opening title sequence, complete with explanatory song. Subtext? Pfft. Hidden meaning? Nope! Nothing is left up to interpretation. We don’t just meet the characters during this peppy introduction, we’re also told what the arc of their development over the show’s tenure will be.
