Fran Drescher Marks TV Return with Self-Titled Talk Show on Fox 5

What happens when you mix Oprah with Ellen? If Fox 5/WNYW, and five other Fox stations have their way, it will be a successful three-week trial run of the Fran Drescher Show. Drescher recently spoke to FishbowlNY about her new venture, which begins at noon on November 26 (the day after Thanksgiving). “I like climbing new mountains. I like being challenged,” Drescher says. “I think this is going to give me an opportunity to speak about all the things I’m passionate about.” Drescher, 53, will talk about serious topics, but you can be sure the veteran comic actress will have lighter moments. Plus, with a house band expect musical guests to pop by. She hopes that viewers will be stimulated, motivated, inspired, and most importantly, entertained. Drescher separates herself from the other talk show hosts by simply being herself. “I’m very unique, the way I am, the way I talk, my sense of humor.” Part of the reason for Drescher’s interest in doing the talk show is the actress’ personal pitfalls. Since leaving her highly popular 1990s sitcom The Nanny, Drescher dealt with a divorce and uterine cancer, and opened up about being raped in 1985. Those weighty topics are certainly a possibility. But so is politics. A Democrat, Drescher in 2008 was appointed a diplomat by the State Department. Her main work is as a health issues envoy, especially for women. With the segment “There Ought to Be Law,” her lobbyist role will be showcased. “I want to bring that into the show, [and] get people riled up about something that we can all agree on.” And she wants to use the program as a platform for women. “I want to wake [them] up to take control of their body and empower themselves with knowledge about health issues.” Drescher says she still has political aspirations. “I see this as being a bridge to them. …I can do that when I’m a little older,” Drescher admits. Drescher points out, though, that she “may not feel the need” by that time. “I may feel like this is a great forum to help people or change their minds or unite them.” There is a precedent in place for talk shows being picked up after a test run (in this case 15 episodes). Syndicator Debmar Mercury gave a similar length of time to the Wendy Williams Show in the summer of 2008 and it’s now a regular on the Fox 5 schedule (with same-day repeats on WWOR/My9). Photo Credit: Jeff Lipsky. Fox Television Stations/Debmar Mercury

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Fran Drescher Marks TV Return with Self-Titled Talk Show on Fox 5

Jerry Barmash

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Jerry Barmash