Mel is a local politician from a political family. When a family scandal leaves her niece, Lennox, and nephew, Ryder, without their parents, Mel takes them in. Meanwhile, Joe is a former commodities trader left bankrupt after a Ponzi scheme, and finds himself searching for a job.[2] So when Mel finds it hard to handle an instant family and her own life, she hires Joe to become the family's new male nanny, o "manny".

Main characters
Melissa "Mel" Burke (Melissa Joan Hart) is a councilwoman in Toledo, Ohio. Growing up, she was a rebellious, irresponsible party girl, and now she must take care of her niece and nephew after their mother (her sister, Meredith)[3] was arrested for money laundering and their father disappeared to avoid arrest for running a Ponzi scheme.
Joseph "Joe" P. Longo (Joey Lawrence) is a former commodities trader who Lost his job, money and marriage in the wake of Mel's brother-in-law's Ponzi scheme and wound up living in his car. Seeing that Mel needed help raising her niece and nephew (and that he needed a job), he has agreed to be the live-in nanny to assist Mel and give consigli to the kids. He was born in a U.S. Army hospital in Uijeongbu, South Korea, and raised in New Jersey. He also has a brother named Tyler.
Lennox Elizabeth Scanlon (Taylor Spreitler) is a free-spirited teenage girl, who is less than thrilled about living with her Aunt Mel. Although they disagree many times, she appreciates Mel for taking her in.
Ryder Scanlon (Nick Robinson) is Mel's nephew, and the youngest in the household. He is only a few years younger than Lennox. Like many teenage boys his age, he enjoys watching Televisione and playing sports.