Supernanny Kids 'Made to Cry'

by Sandy Maple (Subscribe to Sandy Maple's posts) Sep 28th 2007 4:06PM

Categories: Development, That's Entertainment

Based on the premise that some parents just don't have a clue when it comes to disciplining their children, the show Supernanny has been very successful. Nanny Joe Frost comes into these families' homes and shakes things up. By the time she leaves, the formerly unruly children have been brought under control and parents have been taught new skills in disciplining and controlling their children -- and themselves. It's an interesting watch, I think.

The show started in the UK, where it remains a hit. But Joe Frost and her methods have drawn the ire of at least one group, The National Family and Parenting Institute, who expressed concern that parents might see the naughty step as a "cure-all" when every child is different.

But more disturbing than the naughty step is the claim by But Roger Graef, a film maker and founding member of the Channel 4 board. He says that in order to make the show more compelling and to boost ratings, producers on the show are instructed to make children cry. During a TV On Trial debate at London School of Economics, he told the audience that he has had producers come to him complaining about being told to 'change the ending to conform to the script' on several reality shows, including Supernanny.

"They were told to force children to cry on Supernanny. They were told to change things on Wife Swap and so on. The outcome is different then but there has to be some truth in it. If what you are producing is entertainment and you are using real people to do it then, the truth is, there is a long tradition of illusions. That is the reality behind it," he said.

Channel 4's spokesman denies the claim, saying this sort of this has not and would not happen on Supernanny. But isn't it pretty much a given that 'reality' is manipulated on these types of shows? I hope it isn't true, but why would it be any different on Supernanny?

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Comments (15)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Amanda 9-28-2007 @ 4:33PM

I love to watch this show because it makes me feel better about my parenting skills. But, watching these shows, I feel quite certain that these wretched little brats are crying on their own because that is what has always worked for them in the past.
Some of these parents on here are just DUMB! I'm like, if my kids talk sassy to me, they get time out! and I don't mean sitting in a chair in the corner either. Time out means, I took time out of my day to knock them unconcious for a little while!
Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating a little bit, but my kids know who the boss is and they might TRY to back talk me and thats fine, you can try anything once right?! But once I tell you that's unacceptable behavior and you do it again, you're going to your room and you can scream, cry, kick the floor all you want...in your room!

Robert Edwards 10-02-2007 @ 2:41PM

So who ever really believed Reality Shows Were REAL?

adc 10-02-2007 @ 2:56PM

Kids crying when being punshed is not big deal, as long as the punishment is not abusive. No a spanking is not abuse, unless the parent is doing it out of anger, than it is hitting (big difference). Kids will cry when not happy and not getting their way. The kids might not cry so much if they behaved. I am sure these kids will grow up just fine and still have some self esteem. Parents, discipline your children, train them, you might be surprised how well they do grow up.

FamilyCoach 10-02-2007 @ 3:33PM

Please don't take this TV show seriously. To be clear, it is entertainment. Any real work with a family cannot be done with glaring lights and cameras pointed. When human beings know they are being watched, they act differently. Period. I urge all you moms and dads out there to not take your parenting cues from a TV show trying to get ratings. Pick up a book, talk with other parents, or go find a family coach. Watching this show (or any reality TV) is a passive way to feel better about yourself without DOING ANYTHING other than saying, "yeah, me too."

Mel 10-02-2007 @ 4:42PM

I totally 100 % believe it. I was on a "reality" tv show and could not believe how FAKE it was. I was on Judge Mathis for a lawsuit - and it was sooooo scripted to the point that everyone was shoving paperwork in your face saying dont forget this and dont forget that - and even the JUDGE knows his ruling before you begin taping. TOTALLY FAKE AND I WILL NEVER WATCH HIS SHOW AGAIN. IT WAS AKIN TO BEING RAPED EMOTIONALLY - REALITY TV IS JUST AS FAKE AS ANY OTHER TV SHOW ONLY IT USES REAL PEOPLE

Emily 10-02-2007 @ 4:48PM

Hey, Amanda? Someone should call CPS on your ass, honey.

media wiz 10-02-2007 @ 5:34PM

I'm a television producer. First of all there is no such thing as 'reality tv'. Most of it is utterly contemptible. Almost everything requires releases and permits. You can't walk onto private property and shoot without releases. You can't shoot on public property without city permits. City permits take anywhere from 2 days to a week usually. If it were reality there'd be no need to shoot 'pick ups': In other words re-shoot scenes becaue the 'real' ones didn't produce the desired effect. Get real!

suzycreamcheese 10-02-2007 @ 5:37PM

Good for you Amanda! Emily, find a spine.

shir 10-02-2007 @ 7:17PM

I agree with you suzycreamcheese! Go Amanda!! Emily... :::sigh:::

Don 10-02-2007 @ 8:15PM

I too have worked in TV and if you really believe any of these "reality" shows aren't manipulated, I have a bridge for sale I want to offer you.

HELEN 10-02-2007 @ 8:21PM

Whatever. She really helps people. The kids are out of control. I know many more who could use her expertise. Bravo, Nanny Joe.

Paul 10-03-2007 @ 8:35AM

How many of you think you turned out to be a real good person? Those who do, should use the same technique your parents did to raise kids, as it, according to you, worked. All others, just keep winging it.

Pam Casteel 10-02-2007 @ 9:40PM

Supernanny is a great show as far as having a learning experience. Many of the tactics used by Jo are the same types of behavioural plans implemented by behavioural anylists. It doesn't matter if the show is rehersed, staged etc... the teaching are correct as far as good positive parenting. The one issue I have with the show however is the fact that I think their should be some discliaimers at the end of many of them or an afterward claiming that after the show the child or family began working with a Therapist. Some of the children I have seen on this show have had some HUGE issues. One little girl I am certain had RAD (Reactive Attachment Disorder) As a parent as well as a 13 year Foster Parent I have learned that behavioural modification is not a replacement for Therapy. Kids with some behaviours shown on this show indeed would benefit from Therapy. I believe the Producers are doing a diservice to the public by not advising people who have serious problems with there children to try the tactics Joe used, but it is not a replacement for therapy. Joes tactics do not work for my bipolar children and would not work for other children with certain disorders. A blurb at the end of the show would show responsibility on the Producers end and help with marketing the show because people feel good about a show with a message that says they actually CARE about what they are putting out there on the air.

Pattie 10-03-2007 @ 2:58AM

I have watched this show, and I can tell ya, if my kids acted like that, there would be hell to pay, my husband and I do not believe in hitting our kids, my husband was in the service and when I tell the kids wait til daddy gets home they know he is gonna go military on them, and let me tell ya a drill sargent yelling in your face gets the point across, and I can assure you that any child psychiatrist will agree with this punishment, they also get punished with having to do chores and no TV and Video games and that is just a start, the problem with kids these days is they are not afraid of having to answer to any adult that is why there is so much gang violence out there, everytime I see the news with another gang shooting I think about "where are these kids parents" all you people out there thinking making kids cry is abuse, should think about this, back in the days when us kids were afraid to do something wrong cause we would have to face our parents, was the times when there was no gang violence, and if we as kids called the police they would say the punishment fit the crime, instead now parents are afraid to disipline their kids because they are afraid the kids will call 911, there is something wrong with the system now, and kids are getting too much freedom, so when I watch the show and see 2 year olds and older yelling and hitting their parents, the time out step is not abuse, if anything it is not enough............ The question is "who are the parents here?"