The reason she was there was to be a mother figure. The girls' mother, Margaret, passed away of cancer and Nell was an old friend and she promised Margaret she would help the Chief out and take care of the girls. That was the idea of the show.

When the show started, the kids weren't adults yet, but still in school. Yes, eventually they all grew up, which was why they changed the format in the final season.

The show actually got much better when the kids grew up and left, and Nell went on her own. I also recall seeing Rosie O'Donnell (when she was still an unknown comic) on the show, not long before it get canceled. Funny how when '80s shows are mentioned, it's like this one forgoten because no one ever mentions it.

So why do they need a black woman to come in and take care of the nearly adult kids?? Aren't the capable of themselves doing household chores?

It was pretty bad at times, far from the worst. I think I saw the first couple of seasons, but that that was it. Two And A Half Men is far more burdonsome to watch.

Season 1 is hilarious!
Season 2 meanders, but has a lot of great set-pieces.
I've not seen seasons 3-onward yet
But "reality" shows are the idiotic properties of which you speak. Not "Gimme a Break".

Perhaps the OP is an idiot for thinking that all shows have to have Hannah Montana and have A and F guys and girls all over the place. Do us a favour, go back and watch American Idol.

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Yeah, there were some episodes I didn't like, but the show was funny at times.