Top 10 Most Savage Moments from The Nanny

Is there anything more savage in the dating world than getting stood up? To the younger generation, that's like getting ghosted but to your face. When Fran gets nervous about her date with pen pal Lenny, Mr. Sheffield convinces her to go and even waits with her. As they share a drink, Fran points out some lonely, desperate woman across the bar. However, she soon learns that she's actually looking at her reflection. We all tend to be a little self-critical, but that was brutal. Fran eventually gets an explanation about her date's absence, and all we can say is poor Lenny! The only person to emerge unbruised from this situation is Mr. Sheffield.

Val’s not exactly the brightest bulb, but she means well, which provides plenty of hilarity. As Fran prepares to find out the sex of her baby, or babies as she’ll later find out, Val offers some tips to help her find peace of mind. She shares that she uses visualization to declutter her brain. All of it. Which actually explains a lot. Fran suggests that perhaps she cut back on this routine as her imaginary housekeeper is maybe a little too thorough. All we’re saying is that Val must have one powerful imagination! It might be harsh, but hey, we were all thinking it, and we’re sure Fran meant it from the heart.

Niles practically torments C.C. as a hobby. And one of his favorite subjects to make digs about is her non-existent sex life. In a particularly savage comeback, he suggests that she’s been alone for so long one side of her bed is gathering dust. In this episode, C.C.’s elated that Fran and Mr. Sheffield are at odds and thinks nothing can bring her down, but Niles is like, hold my sponge. He tells C.C. about the activities that occurred the night before between Grandma Yetta and her lover, and suddenly Miss Babcock’s not so cheery after all. It’s so simple yet brilliant and definitely worthy of the bow he takes after she leaves.

For this moment, we’re going back to the first episode. Not just that, we’re heading all the way back to the opening scene. If you recall, “She was working in a bridal shop in Flushing, Queens, Til her boyfriend kicked her out in one of those crushing scenes.” Yes, not only does the series begin with Fran getting dumped, but she loses her job to her ex’s new beau. Ouch! But it brings her to the Sheffields, and her first impression of the kids is hilariously and brutally honest. Still, she gets fired for the second time in the very same episode. Luckily, Mr. Sheffield quickly realizes he’s better off with Fran Fine in his life.

It won’t be surprising that Niles will make regular appearances throughout this list. After all, he loves to mess with C.C. and can often be merciless. In one particularly hysterically ruthless prank, he spots C.C. creating a romantic ambiance in Mr. Sheffield’s office. He can’t let the opportunity pass him by and sneaks up behind her. Whispering seductively in her ear, he tricks her into believing he’s Maxwell. We don’t know what’s funnier, watching C.C. cluck like a chicken or her reaction when she discovers the truth. It does, however, lead to their first kiss later that night. Is this what they meant when they said all’s fair in love and war?

If you have siblings, you’ll know just how brutal they can be. From day one, we see this with the Sheffield kids when Brighton throws this less-than-kind jab at his older sister. Luckily, Fran fires back with a hilarious zinger of her own. In fact, the older two often seem to save the best shade for each other such as in this exchange over Brighton’s guitar. He doesn’t even need his sister around to make a jab at her expense. Little Gracie isn’t exempt from this savagery either, as her big bro makes a dig at her new friend. Siblings, eh? Can’t live with them, can’t live without them.

It’s rather uncommon to see C.C. get the upper hand on Niles, and it’s even rarer to see them on the same team. But when they join forces, you don’t want to be their target; just ask Fran. Anyway, in this Season Five episode, Niles tries to convince C.C. that there are four Sheffield children. So when she brings home an unfamiliar little boy, he panics that he’s gone too far this time. After he frantically runs out of the room, it’s revealed that this has all been one enormous prank. We know Niles can be ruthless but tricking him into believing he’s an accomplice to abduction? Now that’s really evil.

Remember how Mr. Sheffield finally confessed that he loves Fran in the Season Three finale? And how in the following episode he takes it back? Yikes, right? We can’t imagine anything harsher than the man of our dreams professing his feelings for us and then taking them back. Surely there should be a no-backsies rule on something like that! It becomes a running gag over the next couple of seasons, with Fran never failing to find opportunities to bring it up while Niles desperately tries to find out what “The Thing” is. And when he does, he has some strong feelings. Well, at least it all works out in the end.

The only person more desperate to see Fran married than Fran herself is her mother, Sylvia. When her mother, Yetta, confusingly mistakes the Sheffield kids as Fran’s biological children, Sylvia wastes no time setting her straight. Not only are her words incredibly harsh, but the volume in which she delivers them just rubs salt in the wound. Well, you might say that no one quite knows how to deliver a burn like your own mother. Of course, Fran eventually marries, and Sylvia’s angry eyes during the “if anyone objects” portion of the ceremony speak for themselves. Don’t mess with Sylvia Fine or her daughter’s love life because you won't emerge unscathed.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Fran’s Tight Dress, “Tattoo”
Some People Like to Show Off Their Curves & Others Like to Draw Attention to Their Organs

No Time for Divas, “The Show Must Go On”
Mr. Sheffield Teaches Gracie’s Classmates About the Brutal Show Biz World

Chester Hates C.C., Various
The Dog Isn’t This Wo-Man’s Best Friend

C.C. Isn’t a Fan of Fran’s Fuzzy Coat, “The Engagement”
Those Poor Muppets

A Conversation Worthy of Garden Fertilizer,” “Sunday in the Park with Fran”
Fran Fine Always Says It as It Is

Yes, Niles again! Only this time, we’re talking about how he loves to fuel the flames of C.C.’s unrequited love for Mr. Sheffield and her jealousy of Fran. While his less-than-generous birthday surprise was a real contender, nothing could beat the singing telegram he sends after Maxwell and Fran’s engagement. C.C. opens her front door and endures a hysterically abrasive performance. However, based on the look on her face, she’s not quite as entertained as the rest of us. He also wastes no time in showing her the ring when she stops by later on. This has got to be one of his most creative burns. Niles really has gotten savagery down to a fine art.