Fran Drescher Chat

Yahoo~~May 11th, 2000

Host: Please, welcome Fran Drescher!

Fran: Hi everyone, and thanks for coming online for me! I hope you've got good questions!

Host: How are you?

Fran: LOL ! That's a good question. Fran is fine.

PreciousAngel56610: Fran, I think you are wonderful, your personality, and I love your style. How do you keep in shape?

Fran: Well, I do pilates 3 times a week, which I finally found something that I like! And I try and hike or walk on the beach.

RainbowsAndButterflies: And what have you been up to since the ending of The Nanny?

Fran: I did a movie with Woody Allen and Sharon Stone called PICKING UP THE PIECES. I'm writing a screenplay I hope to produce and direct, I shot a short film that I play a different character, called "KID QUICK", and I just wrote a pilot for MTV. I'm traveling and I'm hoping to finish my house

Jo35039: Fran, will you be in New York this summer?

Fran: I love New York and maybe... but no definite plans at this time.

Ike127: Fran, was BACHELOR PARTY your first big screen film?

Fran: I wasn't IN BACHELOR PARTY! Whatdya think of that? Or WHO are you thinking of?

SaraVanBussel:I read somewhere that you are very fond of music, and that you carry many CD's around when you travel. Is this true, and if so, who is your all time favorite artist?

Fran: Well... I have very eclectic tastes in music, and I DO travel with my CD's. It's true. I think if I had to pick ONE... I would probably go with the Beatles. But I'm really into Cruder and Dorfmeister electronica these days. They're a German remix group... really good!

KatchingKatching: Is it true that you're writing a new book?

Fran: My next mountain to climb is writing and directing a screenplay. Hehhehehehe

Megalino: Fran! You're the best! Do you know your show is even broadcasted in Sweden? (=North pole) When will you visit us Eskimoes, and why not?

Fran: (that laugh) I love to travel, and I want to go everywhere. I'm sure I'll definitely make it into your "hood" at some point. Hopefully sooner than later!

Savetrees.rm: Canadian friends of Dave (props) & Robert says "How's it going eh?" they hope you enjoyed the sage for smudging. We met during the filming of the "ping pong" scene. You were so nice... Rob & Val.

Fran: Ohhh... Uhm... (that laugh) ... the ping pong scene on the Nanny? I guess that's what you're referring to. It's nice to hear from you. GO CANADA!

Loki64503: How did U come up with the laugh Miss Drescher?

Fran: You know, who would come up with THIS laugh? When they made my laugh, they broke the mold! It didn't "happen"... I just figured out a way to exploit it. I'm thrilled it's as successful worldwide as it is. Because the world is my oyster!

Nkkiya: I attended the reading of "sweet deliverence" and was disappointed to know that it would not be coming on Broadway, will you be seeking another project to do in the theater? Was it cancelled because of the death of Alexander Cohen?

Fran: I felt that the script needed some work... and he and of course, now with the death of Alex, I think it puts the project to bed forever. Or at least as far as I'm concerned. I'd like to do something on Broadway, but everyone says the work is so hard that you need to be really passionate about the material. Read any good plays lately?

Katemo: Were you in an ep of Civil War?

Fran: Yes! Me and Wallace Shawn were married, and HE wanted to divorce me. Only on TV!

BretTheHitman316:Hi Fran, what is it like to know you were in Saturday Night fever? The greatest Disco movie ever made

Fran: It's very cool, and I'm very proud. I just wish it wasn't so OLD already! It's hard to believe it is a movie that's that old, but I was a teenager living with my parents, so that's my only saving grace.

LizardStudy1999:How many pets do you own?

Fran: I have an aquarium with fresh water fish, and I have my little dog Chester Drescher.

MizzKittykat: What inspired the Nanny?

Fran: I was in England visiting my friend Twiggy (the one and only), spending time with her young daughter, and I felt very funny in that environment. She was a proper British school girl, and I was a bull in a china shop. Not telling her anything that was particularly good for her, but definitely for me!!

Fofo691999:Is Fran short for Francesca?

Fran: If you want it to be, I'll answer to Francesca. But it's actually short for Francine.

Host: One member in the audience asks: when you were growing up did you always want to be an actress?

Fran: yes I think that is was the one thing I enjoyed doing all the time, and never tired of.

Ribeachman: Dear Fran, do you believe in love at first chat? Thanks Scott

Fran: (that laugh) I believe in LOVE period

Relikk: also my wife (28) and beautiful, would like to know if she can go shopping with you. She wears the same clothes as you on your former show! <smile> Hmm... perhaps it's not a good idea after all... I'll be broke! <smile>

Fran: You know, I'm not the shopaholic my character was. I'm sorry to disappoint you, but maybe it's a good thing for your wallet after all!

Cyberkitti99: where do you call home... where would you love to live... and how many homes do you have?

Fran: presently I have one home in Malibu. And... I think I'm going to eventually buy my parents a place in Manhattan, and I would think I'd like to have a place in Paris, perhaps.

Sxe1369: what made you get involved with the actor's fund?

Fran: you know they are a very hard working charity that helps all industry related people survive and deal with financial problems, medical problems, age issues,... And they run a good charity out there, and they approached me. I liked what they stood for, and they seemed like good honest hard working people.

Jessediegolina: I want to know if you were good at school.

Fran: I was good at school, I was very smart and mostly interested in English and social studies. Stuff like that. History, the humanities.

Jenn9692: What was it like when the TV series went off the air?

Fran: You know, I'm still getting over it actually. It's not an easy transition. And... thank God I'm still in therapy

Question about the shaving scene at the hospital

Fran: that was the longest laugh in the show's history! So you have a good sense of comedy there!

Question about Holland

Fran: I love Holland, I love Amsterdam and I will come again! But I don't know when, this is my third trip in like the last... 2 years.

Question about the show

Fran: I had a lot of fun on the show. I was very challenging in many different levels.

What were your favorite scenes?

Fran: I think my favorite scenes were being chased by Mr. Sheffield, or sitting in my mother's kitchen.

ChatBoss1: Hey Fran, I want to ask you who you admire as an actor/actress.

Fran: Well I love Kevin Spacey. And I love Meryl Streep. But there are so many good ones out there. I really enjoyed that new Julia Roberts "Erin Brockovich" and I'm going to see "Gladiator" this week end.

BilboBaggins00: Hey Fran -Ever had a Crispy Bream donut?- They are awesome

Fran: we built the set from Krispy Kreme and that's where Val worked in the last season! They sent us the donuts to fill the set every time we used it! For me, the chocolate glazed is my favorite!

BritneybabeUS: what's the best part in being in the public eye?

Fran: good seats at concerts, and good restaurant reservations.

AmbientTechno: Heard you on the Howard Stern show, I think your appearances there are genuine and refreshing, going back?

Fran: yes... I'll go back to Howard. I usually like to go when I have something to sell. But since I'm not really out there promoting projects, I prefer to wait. But I recently saw him at a private party and... he thanked me for the card I sent him. When he and Allison separated; He said it was really meaningful and important to him.

MichMark36Fran, have you ever considered drama? Cause I think you'd be heart wrenching!

Fran: I'd love to do Drama. The only glimpses of it the public have seen was in RAGTIME and a little bit in CADILLAC MAN and a little bit in JACK. But I look forward to it. You're not the first one that said that, and I'm hope I'm able to have the opportunity to do something dramatic.

Goodgraces99Hi Fran, wanna say that you are a very strong and inspiration to people who have been through, also you are a very witty and smart, thanks!

SlivckSmooth211How many movies have you been in?

Fran: I really ... well... I stopped counting. I really have no idea, but it's definitely in the double digits. Some of which I'd like to forget. By the way, to all those who have been victims of violent crimes... A thousand miles journey is made with a single first step. Forge a head, keep going. You're a survivor.

BilboBaggins00: Fran you have a wonderful smile, did you wear braces?

Fran: Yes I did! And I wore my night brace and retainer for years! Thank you!

LizzardStudy 1999:what are your hobbies?

Fran: I love art. Going to museums, cooking and entertaining... I love making plans! To do fun and exciting things with my friends.

David0299:How much training did you need for the short scene in Saturday Night Fever?

Fran: just a little rehearsal for the dancing part but... it was fun. We were all working pretty close to ourselves. It was pretty organic.

LimpVamp: I love your voice, are you really from Queens or New York in general?

Fran: I am absolutely from Flushing Queens... And because I put Flushing on the map, people can now come out of the closet and admit that's where they come from!

Misssweepingwillow:what kind of house are you building and how do you plan to decorate it?

Fran: I'm not building it I bought a beautiful one right on the beach, and I like to decorate in natural tones of white and bone. That I think I will do a little funkier and more like a clubhouse! Without veering too much from my color scheme!

Slipperywhenwet 35206: Did you see Streisand in Vegas this time around, and will you see her if she tours this fall?

Fran: I did not see her when she was there for New years Eve. I didn't want to be anywhere near that town then. I've seen her at Madison Square Garden though, and you know, we'll see... I'm actually more into seeing BECK in concert... And have tickets for Macy Gray coming up, and tonight I'm seeing Tenacious D... It was my character that was a big Streisand fan, and although I respect her as a talent, I go for more contemporary younger music. Right now.

JMatheis: What is your Pomeranian's favorite treat?

Fran: Chester loves purred shrimp and lobster sauce. Graham crackers. Honey Graham. But recently he's been eating a soy type of yogurt thing.

Jendoh99: Was Charles Shaughnessy a good kisser?

Fran: Charlie was a good everything. but believe it or not, Jay Leno was the best kisser!

LizzmillsUS:

Fran: that's a hard call... I've met so many great people. My favorite celebrity, the one I most wanted to meet, and did NOT, was John Lennon. But I've met countless heroes of mine like... Bruce Springsteen, the other night I went to a small dinner party with Bobby De Niro, and got to talk to him at great lengths. I've met Madonna who I'm a big fan of. I'm friends with the guy of PHISH, whom I love. You know, there's just tons of people. It's one of the perks of being a celebrity . You can go up and talk to anyone. I was even lucky enough to meet Princess Diana a few years before her ultimately passing, and that was a huge thrill.

Chatboss1: Hey Fran, I want to say that you are so sexy. I want to ask you do you like any sports?

Fran: I played tennis, and I like going to see tennis, particularly in Paris. I personally like walking on the beach, hiking, bike riding... all as far as sports go.

Cath444: I'm a daycare provider, what do you think of US real Nannies?

Fran: US real Nannies gotta stick together! More power to ya!

Butterfly188:Fran, do you remember someone named Danny Zadek, that you were in a play with in high school?

Fran: Hrmmm... Zadick?... Danny Zadick... What play were we in? I don't recognize the name but I'm sure if I looked in the yearbook... but hi! (that laugh) Do you remember Steve Posner? He was the head of my theater department and he worked on the Nanny from day 1 till the last day!

Daedsinatas:Have you thought of replacing Kathy Lee Gifford on Regis and Kathy Lee?

Fran: No! I haven't!... it's soooo not what I want to be doing. If I wanted to do a daily show I'd do my own. Like Rosie or Oprah. I don't see myself replacing Kathy Lee, though I enjoy the show. My personal choice would be Joy Hilden

D0M0b: I would not have been able to keep a straight face if I had to act with Grandma Yetta, how did you?

Fran: We broke up many times! She was hysterical, she did a great job! One of my favorite episodes was toward the end of the last season when we paid homage to that character. We did a whole flashback scene with her as a young girl. Everyone loved Grandma Yetta, most of al... the real Grandma Yetta.

Allnighter696090:what's the pilot for MTV?

Fran: it's a new format for the late night talk/variety show.

Agarthfan2000: Hi Fran, sounds like you got a lot of stuff going on; How do you balance it all?

Fran: actually compared to how busy I was... I'm so not busy that sometimes I feel like I should be doing more! I need to just relax a little bit about the whole thing.

ChatBoss1:Fran, do you like Yahoo chat?

Fran: yeah, I love having these open forums where I get to talk to people directly. It's great! I'm flooded with charity requests, but since that has become one of my pet charities and the Elton John AIDS foundation and also the project Angel Food is another of mine ... And I also give time to Pediatric Aids as well... but this deals with... my industry people. I think an auction on Yahoo! Is great and fun, and interactive. They're a very inventive organization that comes up with great things. Imagine my voice on your voice mail and answering machine! [her auction was recording a message for your personal answering machine] Whoever wins the bid will get me to do their machine and voice mail! And I can autograph books for them to put on their bookshelf

DrMichaela: One of my favorite episodes was when you ended up in the middle of Dr Quinn, was that a fun episode to make?

Fran: Yes! And she was very nice. The Nanny had so much fun dong so many things. She was such an everyman. I loved how enthusiastic she was about meeting celebrities.

Mr Zippy 01: Dear Fran, I know most people will remember you from your show The Nanny but I will always remember you from Hollywood Knights? What was that movie like doing, did you think that the cast would go as far as they did?

Fran: You know, it was a hard shoot because it was exclusively night shoots. You'd work from 5 pm to 5 am... For basically 6 weeks! But it was a talented group of people... Many of them reached heights of fame before I did You know... I think maybe Dan Aykroyd... when he's on a set, he behaves more like the host of a party than the star. He always wants everyone to be happy. He told me not to try to make money on my money but to hold onto it. And that was the smartest thing I could do. He's a very smart man, and has been very influential in my life. He also said I would not believe the effort I would have to make to ensure a certain level of privacy in your life... And he was right about that one too!

MuguetCh: hi Fran, did you ever hear yourself talk as The Nanny in a foreign language, and which language did you find the funniest?

Fran: well I think that the show works really well in Italian. But I've seen it in many languages, and it's always a great thrill.

Slygirl25ont: What was the hardest part about finishing the Nanny?

Fran: I think saying goodbye to everyone you'd worked with for so long, and walking off the house, and the mansion... and knowing it was going to be dismantled. Knowing you'd never live in it again.

RaviAglave:have U patented/copyrighted your laugh yet?

Fran: I don't think I need to do that! Noone wants it, and noone else can do it! (gives the laugh for example)

Suaprincesa99: Fran you have the best looking eyebrows!

Fran: Uhh... thank you! (that laugh) I'm glad you like my eyebrows. Are you kinky?

Sunnydaisie:hi, what is your favorite Beatles tune?

Fran: oh Gawd "If"? but that's a hard call.

Mymanthesandman: I read where Daniel Davis is actually from Arkansas... true?

Fran: yes! :-p and he actually can very easily flip into the southern twange

Simonsmom2000:Fran I just looked on your auction item on www.actorsfund.org -it's so cool! I would love your voice on my machine! How much do you think that will go for?

Fran: I hope it goes for a lot! Otherwise I'm going to feel very insulted. Just start biding when it comes on and we'll see! I've actually done this before and it went up into the thousands. But then you have it forever. It's good for years? You get a lot of use out of it.

Markicoats:how hard it is to maintain a private life, when your job throws you into the public domain?

Fran: it takes a great deal of effort... and a lot of energy. Planning. To ensure a certain level of privacy AND security.

Stocktiday: I saw on the Internet Movie Database a short film you did called Kid Quick. Is that coming out soon and where can we see it?

Fran: I really enjoyed doing that movie, because it's actually going to help me have people see me be different from the Nanny. It has John Astin and Michael Jeter, and it was directed by Mike Dell (a wonderful director). It was written by Chandler Evans and was produced ... by Camilla Cath and Jennifer Rohtline. All those people worked on the Nanny are extremely talented and motivated young people. I think it will do the film festival circuit, though I believe the end of June will have it screen at the Directors guild (DGA) in Los Angeles. Not sure where else yet. They're just finishing it now.

BretTheHitman316: Fran are you a Met or Yankees fan?

Fran: You know, I think it's politically correct to say both BUT... I did grow up right near Shae stadium. I do feel a certain connection to the METS. However... I'm not very specific with my teams. I'm an enthusiastic fan and I just root for everyone. I also keep close watch on the red Sox from Boston A friend of mine is from that area.

Oh_I_c: Are you from Italian Heritage?

Fran: No actually I'm eastern-European Jewish. But I must have been Italian in a former life. I adore Italy... I go there every chance I can, and some of my best friends are Italian.

KatBorn80: I'll do a trip to New York this summer, which places do I have to visit?

Fran: the Central Park, the Met... the Mercer Hotel... definitely check these out. And walk around Soho, that's always nice. The De Laguarda Performance Show is really amazing. But don't dress up, you get wet! New York is such a great place, that's a hard question.

Ruffryders911:so Fran, is it true that you were slightly heavy when you were younger? If so, how did you get the weight off?

Fran: I definitely was chunky when I was younger. In grade school. Then in Junior high I slimmed down, then in high school I got really thin. I did it by eating very little, exercising a lot, and smoking cigarettes... None of which I would recommend now.

Lexid2000:Why don't YOU do a Rosie type show of your own?

Fran: well you know... I definitely think that's something I will eventually do. My interests are so diverse, that I think I'd make a great talk show host, but it's a hard grind. And I don't believe it's the next mountain I want to climb. I'd like directing, and I'd like to cultivate that.

CharlieSheffie: Is there anything you want to say to your fans?

Fran: Te adoro! Thank you for all of your support, I hope I never disappoint you, I feel your love, and I send it right back to you. Peace and God Bless!

Host: thank you Fran for chatting with us today! Thank you all for joining us today!

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