Frannie’s Turn

1 9 9 2 (USA)
5 x 30 minute episodes

This short-lived CBS comedy from the creators of Roseanne and The Cosby Show  (Marcy Casey and Tom Werner) was set on Staten Island, New York.

Frumpish Frannie Escobar (veteran British actress Miriam Margolyes, tragically wasted here) is a happy, outgoing seamstress of Irish-Italian descent.

She has to deal with her chauvinistic Cuban-American husband Joseph (Tomas Milian) who works as an exterminator, and her overbearing and insecure dress-designer boss, Armando (Taylor Negron) – for whom she has worked since he was called Arthur and sold stretch pants on 47th Street.

Frannie’s 20-something daughter Olivia (Phoebe Augustine) seems to be making the same choice in men, while her 17-year-old son Eddie (Stivi Paskoski) is a good-for-nothing student – “You are my punishment from God,” his father tells him.

“How was school today?” Fran asks him one afternoon. “Today was a school day!?” he exclaims, “Damn! I keep doing that!”

Frannie is supported by her friend and fellow seamstress, Vivian (LaTanya Richardson Jackson) and her mother-in-law Rosa (Alice Drummond) – who is on the borderline between eccentric and crazy.

The series was given the worst time slot (8.00 pm on Saturday nights) and only lasted five episodes before CBS cancelled it.

Frannie Escobar
Miriam Margolyes
Joseph Escobar
Tomas Milian
Rosa Escobar
Alice Drummond
Olivia Escobar
Phoebe Augustine
Eddie Escobar
Stivi Paskoski
Vivian
LaTanya Richardson Jackson
Armando
Taylor Negron
Father Anthony
Dan Butler

Episodes

Money Talks, Olivia Walks | Sex and Saints | How Do You Say Death in Spanish? | Gentlemen, Wrap Your Guava | Frannie and the Kitchen Sink