Nanny News

ABC, Fox Embrace Dueling 'Nanny' Shows

By Steve Gorman
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - First there was the battle of the network TV tycoons. Then came rival shows with migratory moms and dueling plans for prime-time prize fighters. Now the reality TV wars are moving into the nursery.

Just as the ABC network clinched the rights to develop an American version of the popular British show "Supernanny," losing bidder Fox television said on Wednesday it is about to land its own deal for a competing series called "Nanny 911."

Both programs center on child care professionals who move in with different families each week to help parents bring their hard-to-handle broods under control.

ABC has ordered eight episodes of its show, which like the British program on which it is based will star real-life nanny Jo Frost, described as a "tough-love Mary Poppins," said a spokeswoman for the Walt Disney Co.-owned network.

After spending some time with each household sorting out their problems, the blunt but big-hearted Frost returns to see whether her guidance has taken root.

"Supernanny," produced by Ricochet Prods., was a major hit on Britain's Channel 4, with last week's finale capturing about 30 percent of the available audience, according to Daily Variety.

Fox, which lost out on the U.S. bidding for "Supernanny," entered negotiations with rival British producer Granada Television for the similarly themed "Nanny 911," a network spokesman said.

Unlike ABC's "Supernanny," the Fox show will feature a team of nannies, with one selected each week for a different family, the network said. The others will judge her work at the end.

It was unclear which show would make it to the airwaves first. Fox said it had set no time frame but already had begun casting. ABC said it was aiming for sometime in the upcoming season, possibly this fall.

Fox has a history of rolling out shows that bear a striking resemblance to reality series on competing networks.

British 'Supernanny' Invades America

LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) ABC says it's importing a British series that drops a no-nonsense nanny into a home to fix discipline problems and change parenting styles.

And -- surprise -- it may already have a competitor at FOX.

"Supernanny," which was a hit for Britain's Channel 4 in a three-week run earlier this month, will go into production for ABC "immediately," the network says. It's ordered eight episodes of the show, which will feature Jo Frost, a nanny who starred in the U.K. version of the show and has worked for British and American families for 15 years.

A network spokeswoman says the show will be on the air sometime during the 2004-05 season, but no specific airdates have been set. Frost, described as a "tough-love Mary Poppins," will spend each episode with a different family, observing any problems and offering solutions to both children and their parents. Cameras will visit the families again after Frost leaves to see if her suggestions for improving the family dynamic took root.

Nick Powell, who created "Supernanny," will also oversee the American version along with British production company Ricochet. The show generated strong ratings for Channel 4, averaging more than 5 million viewers in its three-week run. The network is expected to order a second cycle.

Meanwhile, Variety reports that another British company, Granada, is developing a similar show called "Nanny 911" for FOX. (Both networks bid on the rights to "Supernanny.") FOX isn't saying when it started working with Granada on the project, which will feature a team of nannies helping families out, nor is it certain when Granada cooked up its format.

ABC and NBC have both accused FOX of swiping reality-show ideas, then getting their shows on first to steal its rivals' thunder. FOX executives have said the cutthroat competition is just part of doing business.

It appears to be paying off: "Trading Spouses," which FOX rushed onto the air ahead of ABC's similar "Wife Swap," is becoming a hit. The show's second episode drew 9.1 million viewers Tuesday, up from 7.5 million for its premiere.

Super Nanny TV

EMERGENCY BRAT PACK Jul 15 2004

By Damien Fletcher


SUMMER for millions of us means an endless battle with our squealing kids.

But the fact the House of Lords says it's OK to smack the little brats doesn't mean there's not a better way to control them.

And at last we've found a hero who can show us the way - "Mary Poppins with balls" Jo Frost.

Six million of us tuned in last week to cheer on Channel 4's "Supernanny" and her zero tolerance approach to bad behaviour.

Calming tears, stopping tantrums and keeping cheeky kids in line is all in a day's work for the 34-year-old childcare consultant.

With 15 years experience as a nanny, Jo - who says her philosophy is about getting "back to basics" - has plenty of advice on how to get the best from your kids.

As Jo, of Fulham, West London, says: "I don't believe children are born naughty because their behaviour from a young age is down to the skills of their parents.

"I don't mince my words and I say what I sincerely feel. I hope parents can grab a piece they can relate to from each programme."

Here she gives us 10 tips on how you can tame your brats:

SAY IT IN A FIRM VOICE

IF you're telling your child not to do something naughty or dangerous but saying it in an apologetic voice, don't blame them for ignoring you.

To warn them about something serious - such as telling them not to touch the oven - lower your voice so it sounds deeper and more authoritative.

Eye contact is vital. But remember, you're not staring them down, you're showing them the same respect you show adults.

Make them feel like you're working with them, not overpowering them.

BE CLEAR ABOUT WHAT YOU EXPECT

YOUR child might not know they're being naughty if they haven't been told how to behave in certain situations from an early age.

This can lead to anger and tantrums - or even an introverted child. Children are born pleasers, they want the recognition of doing things correctly, so be clear about what it is you expect.

Teach them to have respect for their parents and other children and adults, and what will happen if they behave badly.

AVOID BEING UNDERMINED

IT'S important that all the adults who look after your kids enforce the same routines, whether it's Mum, Dad, Gran - or the nanny. If Gran lets your child eat lots of sweets before dinner despite the fact you told them they're not allowed, they will soon learn how to play you off against each other. Work together as a unit to take control - rather than letting them control you.

DON'T BE ANGRY

IF your child isthrowing a fit, not listening and totally out of control because they can't have their own way, discipline them very firmly but calmly. Take them away from the situation and let them reflect on the consequences of their actions. It's vital for parents to cool down too, because otherwise they may lose their temper.

Put children on a "naughty step", or stand them in the corner and face the wall. If they ask you to stop the punishment, demand an apology. Then forget about it and don't bear a grudge.

TELL THEM WHY

IT'S no use punishing a child if you haven't told them why what they are doing is wrong.

You need to give them warnings so they can think about what they are doing and have a chance to change it.

A child needs to know why they should stop doing something. It's your duty as a parent to give them that information so that in the future they will remember why it's the wrong thing to do.

GIVE LOTS OF LOVE

I BELIEVE in lots of hugs and kisses - kids need reassurance and unconditional love, once you've laid down the rules.

If you're having dinner, give them an affectionate wink; when they get home from school give them a big cuddle.

If you give them lots of love, it will all come back to you. I've yet to meet a mum who doesn't like getting a big hug and kiss from their child.

DON'T REWARD BAD BEHAVIOUR

IF your child is demanding sweets or crisps, don't try to "buy them off" or barter with them by offering alternatives.

They must understand their behaviour doesn't get them their own way so stand up to them and tell them firmly, "no, you can't have it".

Only then can they be given the choice of something else.

INVOLVE THEM

WHEN I go shopping I always bring two lists, one for me and one for them. Children love being involved because it makes them feel more grown up.

If you have to do the washing, get the children to match the socks as they take them out of the tumble-drier. It's the kind of thing they might do at school, and they'll love it.

But don't talk to them like an adult. They should be worried about which football to take to the park or which dolly to play with, not your relationship with your boss at work.

KEEP TO ROUTINES

WARN your kids dinner time is coming up 10 minutes before the meal is ready so they can stop what they're doing and wash their hands.

A regular bath time should be noisy and fun, with all the bubbles going everywhere.

Many children hate having their hair washed so make sure you warn them before pouring water all over their heads - otherwise they can feel like they are drowning or can't breathe.

Teach them about what everything does - the shampoo washes your hair, and the conditioner makes it soft, to lessen the fear.

LET THEM UNWIND

AFTER their bath, let them calm down - don't play games that stimulate them too much.

Having a set bedtime is important. Get their pyjamas laid out ready and create a peaceful atmosphere. Put the answer machine on and turn off your mobile. Don't rush them because you want to watch your favourite TV show.

Read them a story and reassure them by saying where you will be when you have left the room. If a child comes downstairs, take them straight back upstairs to bed again.

-The final Supernanny episode is on Channel4 next Wednesday at 9pm.

Commando Nanny: New TV Show

July 8, 2004 -- YOU have to admit, the story does sound like a sitcom.
Long before Mark Burnett became famous as the creator of "Survivor" and, subsequently, other reality shows such as "The Apprentice," he made the unlikeliest of career moves.

Fresh out of the British military, where he had been a member of the army's elite Parachute Regiment from age 17 to 22, he moved in 1982 to Los Angeles, where he sought and found work as a live-in nanny for a wealthy Beverly Hills family.

More than 20 years later, "Commando Nanny" was born.

That's the name of a new comedy series set to debut this fall on the WB, produced, of course, by Burnett.

The show is not only Burnett's first attempt at a scripted TV series, it is also probably the first time a TV series has ever been described by its network as "inspired by the real-life story" of its executive producer.

A look at the show's pilot episode — which was sent out to TV critics earlier this week — reveals that its basic outline adheres closely to the real story Burnett tells of his experiences as a nanny.

In the show, a lean ex-commando from England named Miles Ross (played by newcomer Philip Winchester) goes to work for a Beverly Hills real estate tycoon and his younger second wife, who hire him to take care of their three children — a teen-age son and daughter from the husband's first marriage and their own little boy (Max Wolf Burkholder).

The husband (played by a gruff Gerald McRaney) is skeptical about their new caregiver, but his wife is supportive. And for the ex-commando — who had seen action in Northern Ireland and the Falklands (just like Burnett) — the chance to live in luxury in Beverly Hills was a welcome change from army life.

These are also the particulars of Burnett's first nannying gig, according to him. He says he interviewed for nanny positions because he was desperate for work and a place to live. And he had also promised his worried mother he would quit the military — just like the character of Miles Ross.

" 'Don't put us through any more hell, that military stuff,' " Burnett quoted his parents as saying, when he was interviewed last fall about his nannying career in the British paper, The Guardian.

While Ross will likely stick with his Beverly Hills family, Burnett, 44, worked several nannying jobs over several years before breaking into the TV business.

"[Nannying is] a bit like the army," Burnett told The Guardian. "There were no real hours. You're on call from six in the morning until 10 at night. But I loved the kids, and I really enjoyed it."

"Commando Nanny" will be seen Friday nights at 8:30 on Ch. 11.

Article form NY Post
http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/24637.htm