Another nanny reality show, this time on ABC.

Here's the press release:

NAUGHTY CHILDREN OF AMERICA -- LOOK OUT! DESPERATE PARENTS -- REJOICE!

IT'S A BIRD, IT'S A PLANE, NO, IT'S THE ORIGINAL "SUPERNANNY,"
PREMIERING MONDAY, JANUARY 17 ON ABC

Critical Praise for the U.K. edition of "Supernanny":

"Frost is a nanny for the 21st century." - The Times

"Every mum needs her Supernanny; ...surprisingly compulsive viewing. ...Frost's ideas certainly seem to be having an impact on the way people deal with their children." - The Sunday Times Television's newest superhero can tame the wildest toddler, soothe the savage six-year-old and get the most difficult child to overcome problems with behavior, sleep, mealtime, potty training and other challenges that have vexed parents around the world for centuries. This miracle worker is Jo Frost, a.k.a. Supernanny, Britain's hottest new TV star and godsend to desperate parents across the U.K. who were dazzled by her amazing results when her series debuted this summer, as she showed families the tools for transforming their children's wild ways. Her practical, no-nonsense style was honed over 15 years of nannying in the U.K. and the U.S. Now American families can tap into the secrets of this modern-day Mary Poppins when "Supernanny" debuts, MONDAY, JANUARY 17 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

In each episode of "Supernanny," Jo observes how the parents handle their day-to-day obstacles with their children. Once she's assessed the pitfalls, she works with the parents, instilling her tried-and-true methods for transforming unwanted behavior. Then, after demonstrating just how well the new style will work and getting unbelievable results from the children, the parents must fly solo with the Supernanny techniques. For several days they try to implement Jo's suggestions, and she revisits them at the end of the program to help keep them on track for the future.

Her simple methods stress consistency, communication and reasonable consequences for poor behavior, all delivered with loving firmness. She emphasizes the importance of spelling out the new rules of the household to children in advance, as well as explaining the consequences for infractions. One standard punishment in Jo's program is a short time out period on the "Naughty Step" or, for older children, in the "Naughty Room" -- a room devoid of toys, TV or other distractions. Children soon tire of the time outs and conform to better behavior.

She also candidly points out to parents where they need to be more decisive, more flexible or even how they may need to adjust their expectations of a child's readiness for certain behaviors. For example, graduating a child to a seat at the dinner table instead of a high chair may be long overdue and provide an easy fix to mealtime misbehavior. When parents witness Jo's results and -- even better -- achieve them on their own, they are truly believers in the Supernanny way. Best of all, children and adults alike can enjoy the lasting benefits of a more harmonious family life.

Nick Powell is the creator and executive producer of both the American and British versions of the show. Craig Armstrong is executive producer of the American version. "Supernanny" is produced by Ricochet, Ltd.

Jo Frost also dispenses her no-nonsense rules and reassurance that parents do know best in her book, Supernanny, to be published by Hyperion in conjunction with the premiere of the show in January.

I'm gong to give this one a shot.

I hope it's better than Nanny 911, which I just find utterly boring.

I started watching this but it seemed just like Nanny 911. Same nutty kids. Same English accent.

I was really impressed by the premiere of this show. I have a feeling it will be quite a hit, once people catch on to when it airs.

I have very little experience with kids, but I was really impressed with how the 'SuperNanny' was able to make relatively simple suggestions - about how to negotiate with the children on their level, how to keep them involved to improve behavior at the grocery store, etc. - and the suggestions really seemed to make a big difference at the end.

I think this episode was a great start, partly because the parents seemed really receptive to critique and making lasting change. I have a feeling things won't *always* go so smoothly. I'm sure not every parent would be so open to bringing a stranger into their home and telling them what they're doing 'wrong,' but it certainly seemed to work great for this family.

I'll definitely tune in again next week. Apparently, ABC is my new must-see-TV. Strange.

Ah, good show. I like how they illustrated the 'rules' and reinforced them...with us, the viewers (not the kids!).

You know, these are things that most parents know, but sometimes you get so caught up in these parenting issues that you don't see the forest for the trees.

I like this show less than Nany911 but I thought it had potential. I liked how they seemed to stay with the family a little longer than they do on Nanny 911. (I missed the start of the show, how long does the nanny stay?) It also seemed like there was less of the "creative editing" then there is on Nanny 911. All in all not a bad show and something I would probably watch if there was nothing else on but not yer appointment TV.

I liked the parents in this episode a lot but I wondered what in heck was up with Dad's sparkly pink scarf at the end.

I liked it. I also watch Nanny 911, so I couldn't help comparing them. I like that SN, spends two weeks with the family, instead of one.

I like that Jo left in the middle, for a bit. I think the dry run's a great idea.

I think N911 does a better job showing a connection between the family, and the nanny. To be fair, I'm used to N911's involved 'goodbye' scenes.

I really like Jo, as much as the N911 women.

Did the mom remind anyone else of Martha Plimpton?

What is the theme song?

Another tv addiction. :)

ETA: Thanks FrontRowJoe

The theme song was Be Good Johnny by Men At Work, off their 1982 album Business as Usual. Because Americans can't tell the difference between Brits and Australians, I guess.

Is it wrong that I find Supernanny hot when she's in her business attire?

FrontRowJoe, I thought Super Nanny had a little something going on, too, and I'm a hetero female. Maybe we want to be disciplined properly, eh? Go sit on the Naughty Stool.

It's the British accent too.

I, too, watch Nanny 911 and am beginning to wonder whether there's anyone on this side of the pond who knows how to make children behave. But anyway, like others have said, I liked the nanny leaving, observing, and returning. That's really helpful for the parents to see where they're still coming up short.

That poor mother looked like she needs Calgon® to take her away for a three week nap.

I wasn't all that impressed with the apologies those parents were accepting. When I was growing up, we had to say, "I'm sorry that I was disrepectful" or whatever. A simple "sorry" didn't cut it, and certainly not a snotty sorry. To her credit, Jo addressed this issue, but I still thought the girl was somewhat half-hearted with her 'sorry'.

Apology aside, before I let the girl off that stool, she would need to tell me that she understood why she had been placed on the stool and that she would behave better in the future.

I could do without Nanny's constant mugging into the camera.

That poor mom looked haggard. I hope she gets a rest. Preschool? Babysitter? Her own nanny?

I did wonder why these girls were not in preschool (at least the older one) and my kids when they were in time out had to repeat the rule or the reason they were in time out and apologize.

I kept thinking of all the comments about Lynette's life (on Desperate Housewives) being unrealistic. Since they are both ABC shows, maybe Super Nanny can come to Wisteria Lane.

I agree!~ This about ruined it for me! I turned to my 15 year old and asked her if it was driving her crazy as well. (She responded by mugging at me.) How will this make the family feel when they watch it on tv?? BUT
that little Andra needed a healthy swat to her backside, the parents deserve some praise just for having the restraint not to give her a smack or two.

What a blatant rip-off of Nanny 911 - and it isn't nearly as fun.

I keep wondering why people who are totally clueless about child-rearing must procreate.

If mom is so worn out she should stick the kids in pre-school for a couple of hours a day so they can socialize with others and she can take a break.

Sorry, I'm not feeling it...I'll take Nanny Deb any day.

My ears! My ears!

Seriously, I liked this show a lot, as much or more than Nanny 911.

I think Nanny Jo giving the parents a trial run is a great idea. That way, she can come back and help fix any mistakes they've made while they were trying the new techniques.



Totally agree. 3 and 4 year olds are just the right age for preschool, and it will provide them with a stimulating environment and an opportunity to socialize with other kids before real school starts. I shudder to think what would happen if you just plunked Andra down in kindergarten!



LOL! I think it was one of his daughters' he had put on.

I enjoyed the episode; I'll keep watching.



Those parents seemed like POWs who were undergoing the sleep deprivation torture -- too worn down by the screaming to be capable of objecting to anything.

Seems like its a bit more instructional than 911, so that's good. I think a parent could walk away with some ideas for change.

Whenever I see these stay at home Moms put up with all this shit, I wonder why they don't get a job and let day care fix the problem. Sorry--and I was a stay at home Mom too! But not with a kid like these!

I love Jo Frost. She is adorable and looked awesome in that purple suit! As a nanny, she is instructive and helpful without being condescending.

Little Andra, however, was a holy terror. I'm surprised that other relatives and friends haven't intervened before to prevent this child's behavior. As someone pointed out before, sending her to preschool would be good for her. I just hope she isn't so aggressive with the other kids!

I've never watched 911, so I can't really compare, but I enjoyed it. For some reason I was expecting preachiness and/or a condescending attitude towards the parents' cluelessness and ineffectiveness, but there was none of that. The parents were shown as being pretty sympathetic, treated with respect, and taught some pretty solid parenting techniques that don't always come naturally, especially when one is totally stressed out. I was impressed and entertained, so I think I'll continue to watch.

Heheh, she also reminded me of the lesbian dog trainer in "Best in Show"!

I worked in a day care for 3 years (I never, ever want to have 10 screaming 3 year olds around me again) and we had a little girl just like Andra - she would have screaming tantrums at nap time and go into hysterics. I just figured she was angry that her parents dropped her off at 7:30am and picked her up at 6 five days a week, month after month.

There are so many regulations about discipline in day cares that I don't think they could fix the problem with supernanny's advice because I really doubt you are allowed to put a hand on a kid. (ie: holding their arms when you are telling them they have been very naughty).

Oh and I never want to work in daycare again!!

WORD!!! Totally1 I was trying to think of who she reminded me!

I really like shows like this and Nanny 911 because I have seen bajillions of screamy, spazzy little kids like these when I am out in the world. There are so many! And it's not necessarily always the problem that the parents are bad people, though that sometimes IS the problem, to be frank. Sometimes they're just clueless. I have hope that those clueless parents will watch and pick up some helpful and practical pointers on parenting.

Seriously. I think this show might help people. It seems to me that the advice they get is "spot on." /British

I liked it too. I've never watched Fox's version, but Jo seemes very qualified and likeable.

Did I read the screen right at the begining? Dad's 51 & Mom is 49? "Late blommers" indeed. God knows you don't have the energy and patience you had at 20 when you're 50. Good for them for not killing that brat Andra. What a disgrace. I just can't believe the mother was that clueless about how to handle those behavior issues! Wasn't she ever around kids? Any neices or nephews? Both parents seemed bewildered by their circumstances. Those kids didn't just appear one day...they created them. Poor Mom looked exhausted and defeated when Jo arrived. Hopefully the Jeans have adapted to the new rules.

Everything Jo suggested to them seems like perfect common sense to me. You have to be organized and you must have plans/routines. Did Mom actually stay home for 4 1/2 years doing NOTHING constructive with those girls ALL DAY??? Never mind the kids getting bored; I would have checked out long ago. It's as if running a household was completly foreign to her.

Word to structured day care or pre-school too. I think staying at home to raise your kids is one of the hardest jobs in the world, and kudos to those who do it. Even if I were able to stay home with my kids, I think I'd arrange for organized care or play when they turned 3 or 4. They benefit from exposure to rules and other people. My sister is an elementary principal and she says she can spot the Kindergarteners who stayed sheltered w/ Mom or Dad vs. those who had interaction w/ peers within the first 10 minutes of observation.

Good show, and I'll watch again. I didn't mind the "mugging" so much. I thought Jo was reading my mind with her "can you believe this shit?" looks.

I hate to admit it, but the editing in N911 makes it easier to watch and makes the show flow better.
I did like this though!!! But I couldn't watch the whole thing because I started to get a migraine. Not just because of Andra, but because of the way her mom looked. I kept thinking she needed to go on that new show (name escapes me) where they put her in the box, people try to guess her age, and then without surgery they make her look 10 years younger.
I'm guessing that Andra's behavior has a lot to do with the fact that her dad is gone most of the week and they don't know how to address it tailored to how Andra would react better to the whole situation. I'm not sure if that was talked about because towards the end I had to seriously go to bed.
My 4 year old LOVES these shows and watches them slack jawed. We talk about the kids' behavior and he really responds to it. Not that he isn't going to have a tantrum today, but it's interesting to watch him watch other kids!
And the cold sippy cup thing--that's totally my kid at times. You get so perplexed and pissed at why they're acting that way that I either yell back at him (really really loud lol) or ignore him. So I was watching with baited breath what nanny suggested :)
When we were watching the show my son was doing something annoying, asked him to stop and he wouldn't and then I was all "Do you want to sit in a naughty chair?" and you should have seen the look on his face. Almost terror, but mostly took his breath away. Quite interesting....
Luckily I've never had to use a tactic like time out or a naughty chair, but it might work in special situations for us.
Usually we get down to his level, tell him "Look at my face" so he's looking at us and listening (hopefully) and we talk about it.
One great thing on Nanny 911 last week was when she told the mom that she couldn't have conversations with her kids from across the room and expect things to happen. I was like "Hallejuliah!" Or however you spell that. (jewish)
Anyhoo, I'm hooked.

I believe it said she was 43 and he was 51. Because I'm 31 and don't have kids yet and counted that she would have been about 38-39 when Andra was born, so I didn't feel so bad.

Has anyone noticed the "Copycat" programing lately between ABC and FOX? Do they think TV watchers are dumb??

I am kicking myself for NOT remembering to watch the first one of SN. Hopefully ABC will have a slow day and repeat last nights show.

She was cute on GMA.

I think Nanny 911 may have captured my heart first (as much as screaming hellions can capture one’s heart) ‘cause I felt a bit meh about this. (And also curious about ABC and Fox having duplicate wife swap/nanny shows. Quoi?)

There were a couple of elements I liked better, as others have mentioned: the “spying” on the parents as they try to go it on their own (shades of What Not to Wear) and the tips being displayed on screen. I could seriously see parents everywhere (well, hopefully not everywhere) taking notes during this show. It also seemed like the parents took the whole experience less personally than they do sometimes on N911, but I couldn’t tell if that was due to Nanny Technique or more to these particular parents. But these were beautiful girls, especially once they shaped up :-)

Still, I think I can take only one of these shows a week, so I’ll have to make a choice between SN and N911... (and the “combo effect” – 24/SN, or Lost/N911/Wife Swap?)

I thought the mom looked just like Willem DeFoe and Lauren Hutton's love child.

Andra, I'm glad you turned it around. You weren't parented too well before the nanny brought in the big guns, but Mr Rogers himself would have hauled out the duct tape. You'll be a take-charge, do well kind of woman one day but for right now that pitch is killing wildlife. Breathe deeply kid.

Word!

Barbara's helplessness really ticked me off too. Come on, woman! You decided to have these children and it is your job to raise them. Didn't you read any books? Haven't you asked your friends how they do things? Those poor kids had absolutely no boundaries at all. No wonder they were bouncing off the walls.

It's probably a job requirement. I've seen them do it on N911 too. :)



10 Years Younger, on TLC.



Now I know what I'm renting, this weekend. :)

It's shows like this I tune in to remind myself one of the reason I choose to remain child free.

This show made me want my own black cab to drive me around S. California. I'll bet i'd be the only one around! I think it's funny that Americans are looking to other countries for advice on raising their children (another form of outsourcing perhaps?). I was raised by parents who did pretty much everything supernanny perscribed (I'm 24 so these methods aren't that ancient), only for them it was common sense. Why isn't this stuff common sense anymore?
I too was hooked to Nanny 911 from the start, and let me tell you, it is the best form of birth control ever. Now, SN will reinforce it.

I like Nanny 911 a whole lot more than SuperNanny. That said, SuperNanny did not address the reasons why the temper tantrums and aggressive behavior were allowed to reach the levels they did without some sort of consulting with experts earlier in the children's lives.

The editing of the copious and unending reaction shots of the parents as Nanny was going over the rules? Aas bee-zarre.

Absolutely. Sometimes, the problem just slowly evolves, especially if you have a naturally willful/dominant child...and it takes an outside perspective to see what exactly a normal level of disobedience actually is. I mean, for God's sake, they are so young, of COURSE they are going to be terrors much of the time - and of course, it's usually in front of witnesses that they decide to embarrass you.

For some reason I had a great deal of affection for this woman and her husband. Maybe because she was able to articulate that she had always had a problem with organization in her life, even before she had kids (and this is one reason we waited until the barn door was shut). Andra was not the first generation to suffer a short attention span.

However, I couldn't figure out how she didn't naturally use what nanny called "The Involvement Technique". Isn't it obvious that - at this age - kids are like border collies, who will get bored and chew the sofa unless they have a job?

I have occasion in my job to see many, many groups of children, and when there is an out-of-control class, the teacher will always say, "Sorry, haha. Well, it's early for them" or "Well, you know, it's a Friday" or something. And I want to say, well, what about those 200 other classes who came here at 8am on a Friday?" or whatever. I wish I could show them a tape of what kind of behavioral standard is acheivable. I don't care if they are attentive, but rudeness should never, ever go unaddressed.

Doesn't anyone else remember the balding ponytailed child expert who had a show on TLC a few years back? He had the same very, very simple set of rules regarding consequence and reward. What was his name? At the end, he'd always say "But remember, most importantly - have fun!" It seemed when he snatched really young children and got in their face with his big bold scary "NO!" {he said you just want to give them a little mental jolt to get their attention} that they would be completely traumatized - but then in the next scene you'd see them rolling on the floor with him, laughing and hugging him, like they were happy that there was a really authorative presence around to love and protect them.

I, too, loved that the rules were captioned while they were being reviewed; and that they had a dry run, and tweaked....This truly belongs more in "How-To", than Candid so. Way more helpful that 911 IMO. I'd even go so far as to say that if enough families can view this, could make a significant societal impact!

How cute though was that one sweet, quiet happy twin, Leah? Man -what a doll!

For those who wonder why Fox and ABC are releasing shows with such similar concepts--Trading Spouses vs. Wifeswap, Nanny 911 vs. Supernanny--I found out that ABC actually won the remake rights of the original British series. Fox lost the bidding war and decided to make the copycat programs. Somehow, they managed to release their versions before ABC released their "originals."

This is my question. This all seems like basic common sense to me and I can't help but wonder why anyone would need someone to come in and tell them this. Although, I was thinking that the mother had the twins when Andra was about a year and a half old and was probably burned out by having two newborns and one toddler so she probably didn't have much energy to deal with Andra as she was heading into the "terrible twos" and it just escalated.

I also wondered about the pre-school. My sister's pediatrician recommended pre-school for my niece when she turned three. The pediatrician stated that it was an important part of her socialization process. Did the parents have no one as a support system?

One of the things I don't think they emphasize enough on these shows is that a well-behaved child doesn't just happen. You have to start as you mean to finish and just because something is cute or not that big a deal when a child is 1 years old, doesn't mean it won't be an issue when the child is 6 years old. People never seem to grasp that concept.

I LOVED the Jeans family! Compared to all of the "perfect" mothers on Nanny 911, Barbara seemed so open and receptive to everything that Jo had to say. And she actually TRIED to implement Jo's rules. I cried at the end because Barbara said that she felt so empowered now. And those kids will be extremely cute once they learn to act properly. Kids that are out of control are actually uglier than they are if they are well behaved. They just have this look about them. I can't quite explain it.

I work at a preschool and just shipping the kids off to preschool isn't going to solve their behavior problems. Kids are smart. They'd behave anyway they wanted at preschool at first, and then when that got them a time out or something there they might start to shape up for their preschool teachers. But the second they returned to Mom, they'd likely return to their ways. I've watched many a kid be a perfect angel for us and then go back to their parents and immediately refuse to pick up their toys or put on their coat (or even want to leave daycare). They realize who gives them consequences for bad behavior and who doesn't. The lady would have still had the same problems, likely just for a shorter part of the day.

I know what you mean. And there is absolutely nothing cuter than a teensy weensy one saying, "Exwoose me? My I pwease have some morw cwayons? Tank yoo!". These are the kids that get all the attention from teachers and smiles/good vibes from adults, creating a smart, happy kid.

My brother in law taught his kid to say "cute" sartastic things like "Git outta town"....some people thought it was funny I guess, but kids with an attitude are sort of gross, I think. I'm sure they don't know irony until at least age 5.

Naughty chair be damned. I'd have spanked that little brat. I'm 33 and don't have kids yet. She made me wonder if I want them.

And I'd have spanked her too, if I wasn't afraid of dealing with a meaner, angrier, more difficult child down the road. I was a very willful child, and whenever my parents spanked me, I'd respond by going into their room and chew a hole in their clothes or pour some of their expensive perfume down the drain, or something destructive they couldn't pin on me. That spanking sure taught me, all right. Not.

I think the brat was bored; she hadn't been taught how to entertain herself. What I mean is, if someone gives you a bunch of toys and some time and space, it's not the same without someone to teach you new stuff to do with it. About as entertaining as internet access if no one's ever taught you to use a computer.

Yes, PBCup; I thought she was really good-looking for someone in her 50s. It's too bad she's in her 40s. But still, she has a kind of classic goodlookingness that'll make her the hottie of her senior groups....kind of a Lauren Hutton thing - if that makes sense.

I liked the show. I think Jo is great, though I am still loyal to Nanny Deb from Nanny 911. And I have to agree with some of the other posters - both of these shows make me feel good about not having children!
The little girls were just beautiful when they weren't being screaming little hellions. And the mom reminded me a little bit of Jessica Lange.

Enough about the show, format, parenting skills, tips, etc. It seems okay, and can go either way at this point.

I couldn't figure out the season this ep was filmed during. In several shots, there was snow on the ground, yet the brats in the minivan had no shoes on, and from what I could tell they weren't homeless. In other scenes they were running outside with no shoes, when it seemed to be winter. WTF?

I always wonder how these parents live forty years or so without having picked up any clues on child behavior and how to deal with it. They almost all seem to treat their kids like small adults, leaving everyone involved angry and befuddled.

I did notice on the nanny's posted schedule that the girls appear to go to preschool a few hours a week.

As for the barefoot issue, remember the mom could never find any of their shoes.

The seasonal changes were odd, though I live in a part of the country where it's snowy one day and 60 the next, so maybe they're my neighbors. I'd just better not see those girls running wild in my grocery store. Aside from the annoyance factor, it's plain unsafe.

Hated the nanny mugging for the camera. Nanny 911 edits more entertainingly--dog reaction shots etc.

Hah - or mine. It was 65 earlier this week, and the wind chill was below zero today.

As for most of Nanny's advice being just common sense, I thought the same - but apparently it's not universal. I was talking about the show with my mother, and she mentioned that she would have handled the supermarket bit differently. Rather than give the kids 'jobs', she would have simply gotten a bigger cart where they could all ride out of the way. The reason; the kids' 'help' wouldn't be much help at all, and it would be simpler to do things herself.

Maybe it's just me, but the point isn't making the job easier - it's allowing the children the pride of having accomplished an honest task. So thanks for pointing that out again, SuperNanny, even if she didn't believe you.

One quibble - I highly doubt your average three-year-old American child would know what 'whinging' means.

I knew what whinging was at 3, same as I knew what a chair was, what whining was, etc. Because someone put me in a chair and said 'sit in the chair' and because when I was whinging someone said 'stop that whinging.'

I liked N911 better too, I thought this was just boring. And I think just totally blank, utterly clueless parents are boring. Also so clueless as to name the kid 'Andra.' Get her a fucking E, because the entire world is going to add it and she'll have to correct it for the rest of her life. Good choice. It's so unique!

Heh, I'm an idjit, I was talking to someone and typing and....typo.

I only know one "Andra" in person, a 49 year old friend at work whose parents are from Scotland; I thought it was just a traditional Scottish name. When I think of that girl-who-acts-like-a-boy, though, it does remind me of the hormone androgen.

I think the mom was so dull-seeming because she was exfuckinghausted...stunned is a better word. But the guy was sort of cute with his, "Gee - it only took me three times to get that right!"