Nanny And The Professor: A Magical Show That Captured Hearts

When Magic Faded: The End of an Era in Classic TV

As we step back to the dawn of the 1970s, television was undergoing some changes. The shows we now cherish as classic TV were starting to lose their sparkle. Remember I Dream of Jeannie? It wrapped up its five-year journey in May 1970. And Bewitched? That iconic series concluded in 1972, eight years after its debut. Amidst this transition, Nanny and the Professor came into the picture in January 1970, as if to give magic one last hurrah.

The Magical World of Nanny and the Professor

This delightful series aired until December 1971 and introduced us to Juliet Mills, the talented sister of The Parent Trap's Hayley Mills. Juliet played Phoebe Figalilly, affectionately known as "Nanny," who arrived at the home of widower Professor Harold Everett (Richard Long) to take care of his three kids. There's Hal (David Doremus), the intellectual tinkerer, Butch (Trent Lehman), and Prudence (Kim Richards, who later became a Real Housewife). Just like Mary Poppins, Nanny had a touch of the extraordinary—a sixth sense, if you will. This unique quality made her a beloved character for kids and adults alike.

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Charming Yet Mysterious: What Made Nanny Stand Out

Nanny and the Professor was a delightful half-hour show that straddled the line between Bewitched and I Dream of Jeannie. According to Herbie J Pilato, author of Mary: The Mary Tyler Moore Story and host of Amazon’s Classic TV talk show Then Again, "Juliet Mills was absolutely adorable, but Nanny always kept us guessing. We knew Samantha was a witch and Jeannie was a genie, but what exactly was Nanny? That mystery added to her charm, especially for kids growing up in the late '60s and early '70s. Plus, that unforgettable theme song? Pure magic!"

The Show’s Timely Placement—and Its Downfall

TV historian and author Ed Robertson, host of the podcast TV Confidential, reminisces, "What I remember most about the show is its prime Friday night slot in its first year, nestled perfectly between The Brady Bunch and The Partridge Family. It was a perfect family-friendly block of programming. But in 1971, the FCC changed the public access rules, forcing networks to give up half an hour of airtime. This meant shows couldn’t start at 7:30 p.m. anymore—they had to begin at 8 p.m. Unfortunately, Nanny and the Professor was moved from Friday to Monday night, which hurt its ratings. It was a gentle family comedy in the spirit of Family Affair, but the change left many of its young fans unable to watch. It was one of those network decisions that left everyone scratching their heads."

Executive Producer’s Take: The Bittersweet Reality

In 1971, series executive producer David Gerber summed up the show's plight by saying, "Do you know what they call Nanny and the Professor on Madison Avenue? ‘Little Orphan Nanny.’" The show may have struggled with time slots, but its charm and magic stayed with fans long after it ended.

Where Are They Now? The Cast’s Journey After the Show

For more intriguing insights into Nanny and the Professor, including updates on the cast—some of which are quite heart-wrenching—keep reading. Dive into the fascinating stories of the actors who brought this magical show to life.

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