1 9 9 1 (USA)
8 x 30 minute episodes
Tracy Dillon (Julie Hagerty) was a shy, trusting English teacher who left her fiancé at the altar when she found out he had been married twice before and that one of his ex-wives was his sexy business partner.
What she salvaged, however, was a fabulous Manhattan penthouse apartment overlooking Central Park. Tony, the owner of the apartment, a globetrotting friend of her almost-husband, had given it to them for a year, rent-free, as a wedding present.
Apparently, he was a little forgetful, having also loaned the apartment to Georgy (Twiggy), a recently widowed English princess and former showgirl who had moved to the States while her late husband’s children fought with her attorney over his will.
Since Georgy had no friends in New York, she was more than happy to share the huge apartment with Tracy.
The third “princess” was Tracy’s longtime roommate and best friend Melissa Kirshner (Fran Drescher), an outspoken, stereotypical Jewish American who sold cosmetics at a department store.
She was thrilled to give up their little apartment for the glitz of Manhattan, and the price was certainly right.
The conflict of personalities – as well as Georgy’s adjustment to being on her own after years of being waited upon – provided the basis for the comedy.
Also seen was Melissa’s married younger sister, Debra (Leila Kenzle), who sounded and acted exactly like her.
Julie Hagerty abruptly left the show after only a few episodes had been taped and Princesses was put on hiatus while the producers hunted for a replacement.
Low ratings and generally bad reviews for the series caused them to rethink their plans, and Princesses ceased to exist after the last Hagerty episode had been telecast.
Tracy Dillon
Julie Hagerty
Melissa Kirshner
Fran Drescher
Princess Georgina ‘Georgy’ De La Rue
Twiggy
Debra Kirshner-Kleckner
Leila Kenzle
Len Kleckner
Richard Kind