June 12th, 2011 at 8:00 am by
Kelly

Fran Drescher 'Happily Divorced'
Fran Descher‘s new show, Happily Divorced is a riot. They kept Fran, Fran because this is a lot like her life. The real life. She handles it so well. I’d flip if my man…. then ex… switched sides…. I’d so question myself at that point. She’s amazing!
The former Nanny star plays Fran, a Los Angeles florist whose world is turned upside down when her Realtor husband, Peter (John Michael Higgins), comes out of the closet — but can’t afford to move out! And the real Fran is bringing this story to life with Peter Marc Jacobson, her longtime collaborator and actual ex-husband, who announced he was gay shortly after their marriage ended! Fran tells Star about one of Hollywood’s most unlikely partnerships.
Q: So, how realistic is this story?
Well, it’s inspired by my life, but Peter and I divorced for other reasons after The Nanny ended. Then, a year or two after that he came out as gay.
Q: How did he break the news?
He said, “I want you to know that I have been dating men of late, and I don’t want you to be shocked if a story comes out.” I was already with somebody else for a couple of years, so it didn’t impact me in the same way that it does my character.
Q: Were you reluctant to tell such a personal story?
I’m always using my own life as a launching pad for understanding what a character struggles with, and I did struggle with being alone.
Q: Has the real Fran really ever gone to her ex-husband for relationship advice, like your character does on the show?
Actually, I dated a guy for about a year who gave me that inspiration. We were becoming friends as a trio, so if I had problems Peter would be the one who helped me resolve it. Peter became a confidant to me because he knows me so well, so through this other person we actually got closer.
Q: Is it really possible to be with a man and not know he’s gay?
Maybe the last third of the marriage Peter got in touch with his bisexuality, but we made the choice to stay in our relationship. So we lived together for several more years. But then I needed to find myself and had a very cliché midlife crisis!
Q: You’re writing and producing the show. You must be exhausted?
It’s a good kind of exhaustion. I really wouldn’t have it any other way, but I have to actually schedule rest time. Then I also have to look good, because I’m in front of the camera, so I have to discipline myself to put in time for exercise and doing my hair and nails!
Did you watch The Nanny? Are you a fan of the new show?