The Butler, the Husband, the Wife and Her Mother (8 Dec. 1993)

When status-conscious relatives visit from Florida, Fran pretends that Niles is Maxwell and they are married.

Director:

Lee Shallat Chemel

Writers:

Robert Sternin (developer), Prudence Fraser (developer),

Stars:

Fran Drescher, Charles Shaughnessy, Daniel Davis

Cast

Episode cast overview:
Fran Drescher	...	Fran Fine
Charles Shaughnessy	...	Maxwell Sheffield
Daniel Davis	...	Niles
Lauren Lane	...	C.C. Babcock
Nicholle Tom	...	Margaret 'Maggie' Sheffield
Benjamin Salisbury	...	Brighton Sheffield
Madeline Zima	...	Grace Sheffield
Renée Taylor	...	Sylvia Fine
Nancy Frangione	...	Marsha
Ian Abercrombie	...	Butler Inspector #1
Brian George	...	Butler Inspector #2
Zack Norman	...	Uncle Jack
Adam Hendershott	...	Kevin

Storyline

A couple of things happen at the house while Maxwell takes the kids on a day outing to the museum. First, Sylvia, who has told her competitive Cousin Jack and his equally competitive daughter Marsha that Fran has married a rich Broadway producer, is coming to the house with said Jack and Marsha. A reluctant Fran follows the ruse with a complicit Niles acting as Maxwell. And second, Niles has applied to be part of the Professional Butlers Association, and the adjudicators have made a surprise visit to the house while Jack and Marsha are there. For Niles, not being in his butler capacity could jeopardize his opportunity to be part of the association. But before he needs to make up his mind what to do, Maxwell and the kids return to the house. Initially reluctant to play along as "Niles, the butler", Maxwell does decide to act the part of butler for his friends, Fran and Niles. But when Brighton is caught in a major lie, Fran decides to set an example for her charge and tell the truth, ...

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Plot Keywords:

wooden spoon | lying to one's parents | class president | reference to gq magazine | running for class president | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 December 1993 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Culver Studios - 9336 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS), Sternin & Fraser Ink, TriStar Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min 30 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Fran Fine: By the way, Niles, what is your family name?
Niles: It's just Niles; like Cher.

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Connections

References The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover (1989)

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