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Enter Whining
Known and loved by millions around the world as the star of the top-rated CBS TV series The Nanny, Fran Drescher tells her hilarious life story and offers a fresh, funny, and irreverent backstage look at Hollywood and its stars. "The unsinkable kid from Queens isn't a whiner, she's a winner." —People
The #1 New York Times bestseller. Fran Drescher's unique comic talent, trademark New York accent, and brash persona have made her the queen of prime time, and the only successor to TV's last great sitcom queen, Roseanne. For fans of bestsellers by such comedians as Jerry Seinfeld, Tim Allen, Paul Reiser, and Ellen DeGeneres. Illustrated with black and white photos throughout.
The #1 New York Times bestseller. Fran Drescher's unique comic talent, trademark New York accent, and brash persona have made her the queen of prime time, and the only successor to TV's last great sitcom queen, Roseanne. For fans of bestsellers by such comedians as Jerry Seinfeld, Tim Allen, Paul Reiser, and Ellen DeGeneres. Illustrated with black and white photos throughout.
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
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1949 people want to read
About the author
Fran Drescher
11 books111 followersFrancine Joy Drescher is an American film and television actress and comedian. She is famous for her nasal voice, laugh, and Queens accent.
Fran's Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/drescher
Fran's Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/drescher
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 139 reviews
February 27, 2018
I just love Fran. As I was walking out of work a few months ago I noticed someone had put her book on the free cart (the nerve of them, really) and it was like Christmas morning. I was a little kid when The Nanny was originally airing, so I didn’t become acquainted with Fran until a decade or so later when I’d get insomnia and The Nanny would come on like five times a night on either Nick At Night or TV Land. If you know anything about insomnia, you know it’s a pain in the ass. When you can’t shut your mind off and are stuck in a state of constant dwelling, you need a distraction. And on many a sleepless night, The Nanny was my distraction. Fran got me through some rough patches, so I feel a special fondness towards her. (Imagine my devastation when a few years ago I began my worst bout of insomnia ever only to get up, turn on the TV, and find out they’d replaced The Nanny with Friends & Everybody Loves Raymond. Again...the nerve of some people.)
As I started to read Enter Whining, I quickly realized that while I know a lot about Fran Fine, I know very little about Fran Dresher. My info was limited to one television show and a handful of interviews I caught bits and pieces of a few years back when she was on some kind of promo run. I do remember those promotional stops revolving around the revelation that her husband of many years was gay (a rather big morsel of information she wasn’t privy to during their marriage), their subsequent divorce, and their persevering friendship. From the very beginning of this book, Peter, her ex-husband, makes an appearance on almost every page. Keep in mind this book was written while they were still married and while she was still unaware that he was gay. After reading this book, I can see why they chose to remain close friends. They were such an integral part of each other’s lives. Not that all husbands and wives aren’t integral to each other, but these two pretty much moved as one unit. They had such a supportive, respectful, fun-loving, well-working relationship, and I’m glad they were able to maintain it outside of marriage and romance. I’m sure it was devastating when she found out, be she handled it with such class.
Speaking of class. There’s a chapter in the book about when she went on Howard Stern and learned just minutes before going live for the interview that he was planning—in typical, tacky, tasteless Howard Stern fashion—to spring questions on her about a break-in and attack she’d suffered years before. This information was not widely known and obviously very sensitive subject matter. She could have walked out of the studio and resolved to never deal with Howard Stern again, but instead she allowed him to ask his insensitive questions and took the opportunity to talk about rape and shed light on her experience in the hope that it would help someone else. The way she handled that situation was exquisite. She had every right to light into Howard. But she didn’t.
While the above-mentioned chapter is serious, most of the book is a light-hearted, humorous chronicle of her career, travels, and time with family and friends. I think she’s one of the celebrities who actually is who she appears to be—genuinely real, down-to-earth, and honest. After reading this book I have a newfound respect for Fran. Not that I didn’t respect her before. She is and always has been golden in my eyes, and now with this new insight, she is even more so.
As I started to read Enter Whining, I quickly realized that while I know a lot about Fran Fine, I know very little about Fran Dresher. My info was limited to one television show and a handful of interviews I caught bits and pieces of a few years back when she was on some kind of promo run. I do remember those promotional stops revolving around the revelation that her husband of many years was gay (a rather big morsel of information she wasn’t privy to during their marriage), their subsequent divorce, and their persevering friendship. From the very beginning of this book, Peter, her ex-husband, makes an appearance on almost every page. Keep in mind this book was written while they were still married and while she was still unaware that he was gay. After reading this book, I can see why they chose to remain close friends. They were such an integral part of each other’s lives. Not that all husbands and wives aren’t integral to each other, but these two pretty much moved as one unit. They had such a supportive, respectful, fun-loving, well-working relationship, and I’m glad they were able to maintain it outside of marriage and romance. I’m sure it was devastating when she found out, be she handled it with such class.
Speaking of class. There’s a chapter in the book about when she went on Howard Stern and learned just minutes before going live for the interview that he was planning—in typical, tacky, tasteless Howard Stern fashion—to spring questions on her about a break-in and attack she’d suffered years before. This information was not widely known and obviously very sensitive subject matter. She could have walked out of the studio and resolved to never deal with Howard Stern again, but instead she allowed him to ask his insensitive questions and took the opportunity to talk about rape and shed light on her experience in the hope that it would help someone else. The way she handled that situation was exquisite. She had every right to light into Howard. But she didn’t.
While the above-mentioned chapter is serious, most of the book is a light-hearted, humorous chronicle of her career, travels, and time with family and friends. I think she’s one of the celebrities who actually is who she appears to be—genuinely real, down-to-earth, and honest. After reading this book I have a newfound respect for Fran. Not that I didn’t respect her before. She is and always has been golden in my eyes, and now with this new insight, she is even more so.
December 10, 2018
I picked this one from the library sale shelves the day I met Mom there at the end of her quilt club meeting. This was my first used book purchase of my new Arizona era, and was well worth the dollar I paid for it.
I really enjoyed reading about Fran's life. I had no idea she had been in the acting business for years before The Nanny. She danced with John Travolta in "Saturday Night Fever"! I have to watch that again, now, as well as "Jack", because she was the mom in that movie and even though I have seen it a couple of times, I can't fit her into my memory of the movie.
Funny, easy and super-friendly to read, this book left me with a greater appreciation of and respect for this talented woman. She is so much more than merely an unusual voice and big hair!
I really enjoyed reading about Fran's life. I had no idea she had been in the acting business for years before The Nanny. She danced with John Travolta in "Saturday Night Fever"! I have to watch that again, now, as well as "Jack", because she was the mom in that movie and even though I have seen it a couple of times, I can't fit her into my memory of the movie.
Funny, easy and super-friendly to read, this book left me with a greater appreciation of and respect for this talented woman. She is so much more than merely an unusual voice and big hair!
August 10, 2023
I had read her more recent “Cancer Schmancer” and just had to read this!
As a giant fan of Fran Drescher, there was so much I had no idea about. This book answered all my questions about where she’s from, what she went through and who she started to become. If you want a book that is written funny, but heart wrenching in some parts, you’ll absolutely love this and it’s a wonderful introduction to her as an actress if you haven’t seen anything by her. I’ve got a lot more things by her to watch after this book filled with her achievements.
As a giant fan of Fran Drescher, there was so much I had no idea about. This book answered all my questions about where she’s from, what she went through and who she started to become. If you want a book that is written funny, but heart wrenching in some parts, you’ll absolutely love this and it’s a wonderful introduction to her as an actress if you haven’t seen anything by her. I’ve got a lot more things by her to watch after this book filled with her achievements.
April 1, 2016
Fran Drescher has a…unique voice in the industry. I used to watch The Nanny sometimes and laugh at the antics of that bizarre household. When my friend loaned me this book, I was all on it.
It’s immediately clear the book holds a conversational tone and writing style that displays Fran’s humor. She comes across as a down to earth girl who made it big but struggled to get there. She wasn't gifted with the rare insta-success but had to work for years to grow. Her husband, Peter, is also in the same business and they had been together the entire book from high school on. The book opens with their childhood in a small town with her parents and how close they all were. I was surprised to learn how the parents from ‘The Nanny’ were copies of her actual parents, even down to the names.
Sometimes some of the stories would lose me, like a vacation or so, but she did have the worst luck and funny stuff about her party with the big producers. I was surprised to learn of her rape, which her husband was forced to watch, which was touched upon very briefly because of talking about Howard Stern and all her appearances on his radio show. She told an awkward but enlightening backstory about a threesome that was proposed but she didn’t go through with, and also about her awkward kiss scenes with Robin Williams. She was apparently great friends with Dan Akroyd and his wife, which came across as sweet.
I think the part most people were surprised about was her saying Princess Diana was a bitch and prima donna, but she told it like it was with her experiences.
Overall it’s a fun book. I was put off sometimes with the conversational tone that could seem cloying if it went on too long, but there were good one liners and some truly amusing stuff. The beauty tricks and her struggle and goal to lose and maintain weight was also interesting. The Nanny is of course the huge focus of the end of the book, and it was around season three when the stories stopped and the book was finished.
If you’re a big fan of Fran and the Nanny, it’s a good read that deserves your attention.
It’s immediately clear the book holds a conversational tone and writing style that displays Fran’s humor. She comes across as a down to earth girl who made it big but struggled to get there. She wasn't gifted with the rare insta-success but had to work for years to grow. Her husband, Peter, is also in the same business and they had been together the entire book from high school on. The book opens with their childhood in a small town with her parents and how close they all were. I was surprised to learn how the parents from ‘The Nanny’ were copies of her actual parents, even down to the names.
Sometimes some of the stories would lose me, like a vacation or so, but she did have the worst luck and funny stuff about her party with the big producers. I was surprised to learn of her rape, which her husband was forced to watch, which was touched upon very briefly because of talking about Howard Stern and all her appearances on his radio show. She told an awkward but enlightening backstory about a threesome that was proposed but she didn’t go through with, and also about her awkward kiss scenes with Robin Williams. She was apparently great friends with Dan Akroyd and his wife, which came across as sweet.
I think the part most people were surprised about was her saying Princess Diana was a bitch and prima donna, but she told it like it was with her experiences.
Overall it’s a fun book. I was put off sometimes with the conversational tone that could seem cloying if it went on too long, but there were good one liners and some truly amusing stuff. The beauty tricks and her struggle and goal to lose and maintain weight was also interesting. The Nanny is of course the huge focus of the end of the book, and it was around season three when the stories stopped and the book was finished.
If you’re a big fan of Fran and the Nanny, it’s a good read that deserves your attention.
January 7, 2015
The nasal laugh is what hooked me. Episode after episode, I fell in love with The Nanny & Mr. Sheffield on Monday nights. I loved everything about her- the voice, the laugh, the humor, the love, oy! I use her Jewish word terminology in sentences daily, “Look at that shistka!” “Yeah, he’s got mayjah chutzpah!” and I am sooo not Jewish! Her book cracked me up, and I read it in a New York minute. I was sad to read about her rape, which I had no idea about! I laughed at all of her stories of meeting famous people and nobody knew who she was. I would love to meet my Franny. “Eh hey!!” (Imagine her nasal goofy laugh)
I am sad though that she is now divorced. I hope Chester is still alive. Oy!!!
I am sad though that she is now divorced. I hope Chester is still alive. Oy!!!
April 8, 2016
I've been a Fran Drescher fan for years. I used to love The Nanny and would try to imitate her nasal laugh for some reason. I thought that she was funny and stylish. I few years ago I read her other book Cancer Schmancer, probably because the bookstore didn't have this one. A few weeks ago I found out that they replay episodes of her show at 4 am, which of course I'm awake, and was reminded of this book so I checked it out from the library.
It doesn't go through her whole life, mostly this book is just about her life as an actor, how she got started, and all the ups and downs it takes trying to make it in the showbiz world. It had lots of a pictures, which I loved. Most books about stars never have enough pics. She even put in ones from back when she was chubby. It was good. The chapters are short and it was funny enough that I read like half of it last night and the rest of it just now. If you are a fan of hers, I say read this.
It doesn't go through her whole life, mostly this book is just about her life as an actor, how she got started, and all the ups and downs it takes trying to make it in the showbiz world. It had lots of a pictures, which I loved. Most books about stars never have enough pics. She even put in ones from back when she was chubby. It was good. The chapters are short and it was funny enough that I read like half of it last night and the rest of it just now. If you are a fan of hers, I say read this.
June 13, 2007
The best is when Fran makes fun of Princess Di, saying that her feet are huge and that she is a bitch on wheels. You can't say shit like that post-1997 because she is the People's Princess.
January 28, 2024
I read "Cancer Schmancer" (her 2nd book) first because I usually read ebooks first. This was not on an ebook, so I was forced to read it next. I don't know why, but I read ebooks faster than paper ones.
I wish the photos were in color instead of black and white.
And, in this book, Fran was married to her first husband Peter. In Cancer Schmancer, they divorced.
My mom was shocked when looking at the pics (flashback)
Some of "The NANNY" stuff is from Fran's real life, like the people. Her father, Mort. Mother, Sylvia. Grandma Yetta (love her). Fran's sister Nadine. The dog Chester was really hers, not a dog they hired and named Chester. That explains why he loves Fran, plus she's nice to him. He was a pup when they got him.
I thought Jews celebrated Hannukah, not Christmas, but she says "our Christmas vacation." Unless her husband was Christian. It happens. Heck, Anne Frank and her family celebrated Christmas (read the Diary. Diary of a Young Girl).
Gal Gadot, Wonder Woman is one of my favorite Israeli women. Fran talks about Israel. Just saying.
Fran showed a picture of "the texture of the sand in Greece." Gross. I'm glad I'm not on the Greek beaches.
Fran mentions she was heavy (I can't imagine her being fat). She got rid of a lot from not eating dairy. She smoked once...stopped that. Lost 12 pounds. Damn. Maybe I should stop eating dairy and lose weight.
I wish the photos were in color. It mentions a red dress, yellow boots, etc. Helloooo! The pics are in black and white.
Daniel Davis = Niles the butler is from Arkansas. He does a good British accent.
In the book she mentions how the staircase on THE NANNY is different from the pilot. Things usually are. Different actors, settings, on Blue Bloods, Danny has new female partners, although he has had Baez for a long time.
Quote "Who covers their furniture in plastic?" We don't, but if you want to keep it clean from spills. I heard you should not sleep on the plastic covered furniture. Your skin will stick to them and peel off. Gross.
Fran has lipstick named after her: Fran by Lorac.
She was in a few commercials
Fran and Peter had a gourmet crouton company. Cool.
I thought Howard Stern was perverted. Maybe that's a put-on. Maybe he's not. But when I heard his stuff, he was. He wanted to talk about Fran's rape experience. I wouldn't. Some things should be private.
That's all I can think of.
I wish the photos were in color instead of black and white.
And, in this book, Fran was married to her first husband Peter. In Cancer Schmancer, they divorced.
My mom was shocked when looking at the pics (flashback)
Some of "The NANNY" stuff is from Fran's real life, like the people. Her father, Mort. Mother, Sylvia. Grandma Yetta (love her). Fran's sister Nadine. The dog Chester was really hers, not a dog they hired and named Chester. That explains why he loves Fran, plus she's nice to him. He was a pup when they got him.
I thought Jews celebrated Hannukah, not Christmas, but she says "our Christmas vacation." Unless her husband was Christian. It happens. Heck, Anne Frank and her family celebrated Christmas (read the Diary. Diary of a Young Girl).
Gal Gadot, Wonder Woman is one of my favorite Israeli women. Fran talks about Israel. Just saying.
Fran showed a picture of "the texture of the sand in Greece." Gross. I'm glad I'm not on the Greek beaches.
Fran mentions she was heavy (I can't imagine her being fat). She got rid of a lot from not eating dairy. She smoked once...stopped that. Lost 12 pounds. Damn. Maybe I should stop eating dairy and lose weight.
I wish the photos were in color. It mentions a red dress, yellow boots, etc. Helloooo! The pics are in black and white.
Daniel Davis = Niles the butler is from Arkansas. He does a good British accent.
In the book she mentions how the staircase on THE NANNY is different from the pilot. Things usually are. Different actors, settings, on Blue Bloods, Danny has new female partners, although he has had Baez for a long time.
Quote "Who covers their furniture in plastic?" We don't, but if you want to keep it clean from spills. I heard you should not sleep on the plastic covered furniture. Your skin will stick to them and peel off. Gross.
Fran has lipstick named after her: Fran by Lorac.
She was in a few commercials
Fran and Peter had a gourmet crouton company. Cool.
I thought Howard Stern was perverted. Maybe that's a put-on. Maybe he's not. But when I heard his stuff, he was. He wanted to talk about Fran's rape experience. I wouldn't. Some things should be private.
That's all I can think of.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2022
having been a dedicated watcher of the nanny since i was old enough to remember, it's only natural that it was my first rewatch during the 2020 lockdowns, and that i personally got a number of my friends on the nanny train - which i'm quite proud of.
knowing fran drescher for years - i mean, as much as a fan can - most of the stories in the book were familiar to me. i knew fran as a cancer survivor and sexual assault survivor, i know her beginnings and how her hard work, dedication and bravery coupled with belief in herself got her to where she is. still, it was a joy reading the stories again - along with some i didn't know - in her distinctive voice coupled with her brilliant sense of humor and unparalleled comedic timing. can't wait to get into her next book as well.
knowing fran drescher for years - i mean, as much as a fan can - most of the stories in the book were familiar to me. i knew fran as a cancer survivor and sexual assault survivor, i know her beginnings and how her hard work, dedication and bravery coupled with belief in herself got her to where she is. still, it was a joy reading the stories again - along with some i didn't know - in her distinctive voice coupled with her brilliant sense of humor and unparalleled comedic timing. can't wait to get into her next book as well.
January 1, 2025
Fran’s life is nothing short of adversity all the time but despite that she made lemons into lemonade. I’d kill for an updated version of this, she’s done so much since this book was published.
November 29, 2025
this was definitely written in the 90s (re: her trips to israel and relationship to diet culture) but there are few shows as comforting and nostalgic to me as the nanny so this was a must read i fear
August 25, 2025
Son zamanlarda okuduğum en ilham verici kitap. Her anlamda düşündürücü. Birçok bölümü geri dönüp tekrar okuduğum için biraz geç bitirdim. Okuduğum en komik kitap muhtemelen. Hayata dair her şeye dair müthiş harekete geçirici bir iş.
July 4, 2011
Maybe I am biased, my maiden name was Fine and my sister was a schoolteacher named Miss Fine so hearing someone yell "Miss Fine" on a sitcom hooked me. I still enjoy watching reruns of "The Nanny" on TV Land. I enjoyed learning more about her life.
March 1, 2013
Love this woman even more. Can't wait to read her other book Cancer Schmancer.
April 29, 2021
I am absolutely obsessed and in love with this woman.
After binge-watching The Nanny all the way through for the first time (I always loved it when it was on TV late at night as a kid, but I had never seen the whole show in its entirety) I knew I wanted more of Fran Drescher, so I looked her up and found her memoir. I've read autobiographies and memoirs of celebrities before, and every time I do, I'm always taken aback by how unreal life in Hollywood seems. The same is true here, as Fran Drescher chronicles her rise to fame, her encounters with people like Robin Williams, Princess Diana, Barbra Streisand, Francis Ford Coppola, John Travolta, and so many other stars. It was a delight and a joy to read this in her voice, which is so unique (and I'm one of those people who actually do find it soothing). There are so many projects she did besides The Nanny that I'm ashamed to say I wasn't aware of, and this book immediately made me want to watch them all in a marathon (right after I finish my second binge-watch in a row of The Nanny).
There were moments in this book and in Fran's life that jarred me - I didn't know that she was a sexual assault survivor, and reading that coupled with some of her experiences in Hollywood really hit me. But I loved reading about how she and her husband (at the time) met, how they fell in love, and how their relationship was. I loved all the pictures from their life and the set of The Nanny that were included in this book. I was hooked on every page, and every chapter had something new and exciting from Fran's life.
I never realized how much of Fran's personality and how much of her real life is mirrored in her character on The Nanny (like that her parents' actual names are Sylvia and Morty, her actual sister is named Nadine, personal anecdotes and situations she's been in are recreated for the show). She truly was acting as herself in that show, and she was brilliant at it. She wrote this while they were filming the third season, so halfway through the show's lifetime. I really, desperately wish that she had written a follow-up to this after season six and the series finale - this book isn't entirely about The Nanny, it's more about her life leading up to that and how it changed her life after - but I would love another memoir from her about her experiences on the show and her friendships and relationships with the people involved in it. I want more backstage secrets, more moments of cast bonding, more details about it all. It's one of my favorite shows of all time, and this is easily one of the best celebrity memoirs I've ever read. I love Fran Drescher so much.
After binge-watching The Nanny all the way through for the first time (I always loved it when it was on TV late at night as a kid, but I had never seen the whole show in its entirety) I knew I wanted more of Fran Drescher, so I looked her up and found her memoir. I've read autobiographies and memoirs of celebrities before, and every time I do, I'm always taken aback by how unreal life in Hollywood seems. The same is true here, as Fran Drescher chronicles her rise to fame, her encounters with people like Robin Williams, Princess Diana, Barbra Streisand, Francis Ford Coppola, John Travolta, and so many other stars. It was a delight and a joy to read this in her voice, which is so unique (and I'm one of those people who actually do find it soothing). There are so many projects she did besides The Nanny that I'm ashamed to say I wasn't aware of, and this book immediately made me want to watch them all in a marathon (right after I finish my second binge-watch in a row of The Nanny).
There were moments in this book and in Fran's life that jarred me - I didn't know that she was a sexual assault survivor, and reading that coupled with some of her experiences in Hollywood really hit me. But I loved reading about how she and her husband (at the time) met, how they fell in love, and how their relationship was. I loved all the pictures from their life and the set of The Nanny that were included in this book. I was hooked on every page, and every chapter had something new and exciting from Fran's life.
I never realized how much of Fran's personality and how much of her real life is mirrored in her character on The Nanny (like that her parents' actual names are Sylvia and Morty, her actual sister is named Nadine, personal anecdotes and situations she's been in are recreated for the show). She truly was acting as herself in that show, and she was brilliant at it. She wrote this while they were filming the third season, so halfway through the show's lifetime. I really, desperately wish that she had written a follow-up to this after season six and the series finale - this book isn't entirely about The Nanny, it's more about her life leading up to that and how it changed her life after - but I would love another memoir from her about her experiences on the show and her friendships and relationships with the people involved in it. I want more backstage secrets, more moments of cast bonding, more details about it all. It's one of my favorite shows of all time, and this is easily one of the best celebrity memoirs I've ever read. I love Fran Drescher so much.
August 14, 2018
This is a surprisingly entertaining autobiography that is really more of a career overview that lacks stories about her private life. Drescher wrote it in 1996, in the midst of her fame for the show The Nanny, and the book is mostly filled with details about how the program got on the air and was made. It also includes some fun stories about the movies she was in or was cut from. She goes into depth about working with Warren Beatty (describing how he makes moves on a woman), Francis Ford Coppola, Robin Williams, Jay Leno, David Letterman, and John Travolta. While there's not a lot of depth to these stories they are fun and her "voice" in the book makes the whole thing an easy read.
But when it comes to her private life all we hear about are how happy everyone is and how she sailed through life with wonderful Jewish parents and a perfect husband, who she was in a relationship in since high school. Of course now we know that after this book was published her marriage broke up after he confessed he was gay, something which is evident from about the first page of this book. He loves musical theater, women's costumes and clothing, interior design, makeup, Streisand, and (his favorite artist) Cher. There are also suggestions that he spent plenty of time away from Fran in the company of other men, which seemed innocent to her optimistic outlook but now seems suspicious. So the biggest failure of this book is that she promotes an image of constant marital and familial happiness, when in truth the outcome was quite different.
That's too bad because the rest of the book is a great behind-the-scenes look at how a TV show (and its previously unknown star) become successful. There needed to be less of her self-praise about winning and more actual whining about her life's struggles.
But when it comes to her private life all we hear about are how happy everyone is and how she sailed through life with wonderful Jewish parents and a perfect husband, who she was in a relationship in since high school. Of course now we know that after this book was published her marriage broke up after he confessed he was gay, something which is evident from about the first page of this book. He loves musical theater, women's costumes and clothing, interior design, makeup, Streisand, and (his favorite artist) Cher. There are also suggestions that he spent plenty of time away from Fran in the company of other men, which seemed innocent to her optimistic outlook but now seems suspicious. So the biggest failure of this book is that she promotes an image of constant marital and familial happiness, when in truth the outcome was quite different.
That's too bad because the rest of the book is a great behind-the-scenes look at how a TV show (and its previously unknown star) become successful. There needed to be less of her self-praise about winning and more actual whining about her life's struggles.
August 31, 2021
I bought this book on eBay (it was published in the 90’s so that’s the only place I could find it) because I have become so fascinated by Fran Drescher this year. I think she is such a delightful human being, and I really loved reading about her childhood, early career struggles, and eventual success in developing and starring in her own series. Her writing voice is just as distinct as her speaking voice, and every story she described in the book felt so specifically tailored to who she is. I just loved it.
May 30, 2022
4 Stars
It's funny, I've never been an I Love Lucy fan, but I enjoy(ed) The Nanny. I say enjoy and enjoyed because as a Christmas gift I gave my DD the series in DVDs...which means I get to borrow them when I want to! Enter Whining was an interesting read. From Queens to The Nanny. I would have liked to have read more about the TV show. Her work/friendship with the cast, but over all this was a good read for those that like Fran Drescher.
It's funny, I've never been an I Love Lucy fan, but I enjoy(ed) The Nanny. I say enjoy and enjoyed because as a Christmas gift I gave my DD the series in DVDs...which means I get to borrow them when I want to! Enter Whining was an interesting read. From Queens to The Nanny. I would have liked to have read more about the TV show. Her work/friendship with the cast, but over all this was a good read for those that like Fran Drescher.
September 7, 2022
I enjoyed this biography. It described her journey to stardom in her unique style - something we all love. It was upbeat and comical.
July 20, 2025
why did the last picture with the caption "hey look ma I made it" make me so emotional? I love her, I am in love with her, I love Fran Drescher 😭💕
September 18, 2016
I read a comment on the online gossip website Oh No They Didn't once about The Nanny, saying "for me, it's an accurate representation of my life growing up. Not the being a nanny and living with a rich guy, but the hanging out with your mom and grandma sharing something from entenmanns, having a cup of tea dynamic. It's so tri state area, but I love it." and that pretty much describes this book for me. While this book was definitely less witty and reflective from all the other Hollywood memoirs that have come out recently, it feels a LOT more natural and less forced than the "moderately funny person has an essay collection about awkward moments and their rise to fame" memoir style. Fran is a naturally funny person and she doesn't really come off as desperate for laughs. This book answers a lot of questions for people who wondered how a character actress could end up with a popular syndicated sitcom that still is big 20 years later, among other ventures. Even I learned a lot of new facts about her, and I consider myself a stan.
August 16, 2013
Different to what I usually read and thoroughly enjoyed this book!
Funny, interesting and loved Fran's interpretation of life and her journey thus far!!
I am sad, on getting 3/4 of the way through and doing a search on where she is now..
Her relationship with her then husband was really loving, and what I would consider a miracle in the business she is in.. Unfortunately they are now divorced I think being divorced recently it really made me very sad.. But Fran & Peter did have a wonderful relationship and knew each other from teens! So apart from that I did enjoy reading about their lives & love..
All the behind the scenes of her series, family life and childhood was eye opening and hearing familiar movie, TV star and famous names was enchanting!! I actually have 3 of the series on DVD so I might just have to re-watch them again!!
Funny, interesting and loved Fran's interpretation of life and her journey thus far!!
I am sad, on getting 3/4 of the way through and doing a search on where she is now..
Her relationship with her then husband was really loving, and what I would consider a miracle in the business she is in.. Unfortunately they are now divorced I think being divorced recently it really made me very sad.. But Fran & Peter did have a wonderful relationship and knew each other from teens! So apart from that I did enjoy reading about their lives & love..
All the behind the scenes of her series, family life and childhood was eye opening and hearing familiar movie, TV star and famous names was enchanting!! I actually have 3 of the series on DVD so I might just have to re-watch them again!!
February 11, 2016
Fran Drescher is best known as "The Nanny", but previous to that role she was in several not-so-popular movies such as: "Cadillac Man", "Spinal Tap", & "Car 54 Where Are You".
Her writing style is true to her nature and one can actually hear her voice speaking her written words. She is intelligent, funny, refreshingly honest, and unpretentious.
Fran writes about her: life up until & including her work as "Fran Fine"; her marriage to her High school sweetheart Peter Jacobson; the "burglary"; her interactions with Princess Diana, Barbra Streisand, Robin Williams, & Francis Ford Coppola; her parents Morty & Sylvia; the cast of "The Nanny", and her dog Chester.
I don't watch t.v....I don't own one, but I do make it a point to go visit my neighbor at least 2-3 times a month and together we sit watch The Nanny and laugh the night away.
Her writing style is true to her nature and one can actually hear her voice speaking her written words. She is intelligent, funny, refreshingly honest, and unpretentious.
Fran writes about her: life up until & including her work as "Fran Fine"; her marriage to her High school sweetheart Peter Jacobson; the "burglary"; her interactions with Princess Diana, Barbra Streisand, Robin Williams, & Francis Ford Coppola; her parents Morty & Sylvia; the cast of "The Nanny", and her dog Chester.
I don't watch t.v....I don't own one, but I do make it a point to go visit my neighbor at least 2-3 times a month and together we sit watch The Nanny and laugh the night away.
February 25, 2008
Who can forget Nanny Fran with her nasally voice bordering and that bordering irritating laugh? So it was with great interest that I picked this book. It doesn't disappoint. Ms Drescher told us about her youth and her journey to Hollywood, how she happened to pitch the sitcom on an airplane sitting next to the broadcast guy and the process of getting a tv show is made, which for me is the most interesting part since at that time I was still at school learning the craft of production. She also tells about the tragedy in her life, about the rape case and how she deals with it. Really sad. All in all, she made a good, decent book. Good read :)
November 7, 2011
I LOVE Fran Drescher. This book had me laughing and loving her every second. I bought it on bn.com in the used and out of print books for a really cheap price. Fran is an amazing woman and I just adore her. I picked up her second autobiography now that her new show is on TV Land. I'm almost done with that one but it's much darker (which is a given if you read the title, Cancer Schmancer), all about her terrible doctors and her late-in-the-game cancer diagnosis, as well as her divorce and complex new relationship. I hope she writes another update soon, as it seems, and I hope this is true, that she is in a much better place.
February 21, 2013
Would have liked more anecdotes involving her and the other stars she has worked with over the years. This book is about her and her family, and her experiences. It is still I good light read with lots of photos (would have loved some of the stories behind the photos) and told in her particular voice. I am sure she had an editor, but it is believable that she actually wrote this book and not a ghost writer or assistant in her name because a lot of the stories don't go far enough into any real detail. For a celebrity autobiography it is worth the time to read it.
August 19, 2012
Meh. Written in 1995 so the part where she calls Princess Diane a bitch is a bitch shocking, given history.
I never watched The Nanny, which is really the main focus of the book, so it didn't capture me.
I didn't know she was the victim of a breakin/rape, which her husband was forced to watch. She only touches on the subject. I would have been very interesting in knowing more about that and all the details of how she processed, and eventually (a long time later), accepted the event.
I never watched The Nanny, which is really the main focus of the book, so it didn't capture me.
I didn't know she was the victim of a breakin/rape, which her husband was forced to watch. She only touches on the subject. I would have been very interesting in knowing more about that and all the details of how she processed, and eventually (a long time later), accepted the event.
August 27, 2013
As funny as you would expect and pretty self aware and self depreciating. With the benefit of reading it soong after publishing and knowing that her fabulous husband and partner came out some years later adds a certain poignancy.
Great incite into the world of celebrity and some intimate portraits of some big stars before they were famous.
A funny and honest celebrity biography of a brave and funny lady. Still loving the Nanny re-runs all these years on.
Great incite into the world of celebrity and some intimate portraits of some big stars before they were famous.
A funny and honest celebrity biography of a brave and funny lady. Still loving the Nanny re-runs all these years on.
March 16, 2015
Funny and name drop-y. It was an interesting look at Fran's life, and relationship with her husband especially in light of recent events (*cough he's gay cough*). She talks about her start in show biz, the Nanny and even talks about the break-in and rape of 1985. Her hard work ethic and positive attitude were refreshing and inspiring. I got this off of a list of books Lena Dunham recommended. Reminded me of Penny Marshall's bio, but I preferred this one.
May 18, 2016
Nice book - I'm a fan of biographies and autobiographies, so I was on board with this one, plus I think Fran D. is a hilarious woman who worked very hard to get where she got. Others may disagree with her success, but I like her, and am impressed with her stick-to-itiveness. She may have painted some roses around stuff, but her message is clear - be joyous in who you are.
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