Jessie Prescott comes to New York from a small town in Texas. She dreams of an acting career, but doesn’t even have enough money to pay the cab fare. Thrown to the curb, she comes across a nanny who runs away, pursued by a little girl with a vigorous temper! Hired on the spot, she discovers Emma, Luke, Ravi (+ his pet lizard Mr Kipling) and Zuri, four children living without their rich, busy parents. Bertram, the lazy butler, keeps them company and takes care of the laundry and meals between naps. Jessie is initially baffled by this small, uncontrollable team. But his military father’s education, his strength of character and, above all, his empathy will soon enable her to regain the upper hand. With affection and attention, little monsters become adorable kids again.
Nostalgia and good humor!
Jessie follows in the footsteps of Disney sitcoms. Absent parents, children left to their own devices, but lots of love in a reconstituted “family”. The characters are neither very classic nor very original, but they are funny and endearing :
Jessie is very clumsy, a walking disaster (like her love life), but she’s got a good heart. Emma is frivolous and very concerned with appearances, but resourceful in times of need. Luke is in love with Jessie (and pretty girls in general) and relies on his charm more than his intellect to succeed. Ravi is his opposite: a little genius, a nerd, he has no talent for making friends. Zuri is smart and strong-willed, but more fragile than she appears.
Bertram spends a lot of energy pretending he doesn’t care about the children, but he’s actually as tender-hearted as the cheese he loves. Even Mrs Chesterfield, the bitchy, heartless neighbor, isn’t so bad after all.
Funny stories that take us back to childhood, a cast that’s just too cute… perfect for a nostalgia evening that feels good!
4 seasons, 98 episodes (22 mn), 2011-2015, on Disney+
WITH : Debby Ryan as Jessie, Payton List as Emma, Cameron Boyce as Luke, Karan Brar as Ravi, Skai Jackson as Zuri, Kevin Chamberlin as Bertram, Chris Galya as Tony, Carolyn Hennesy as Rhoda Chesterfield