Reality television has spawned many sub-genres, and at the moment there are two "nanny" shows, where a nanny is sent to a troubled family in the hopes of establishing order. I've previously reviewed ABC's Supernanny, and was impressed with the show's star, Jo Frost, who used a gentle but firm hand in helping the family in need, while providing parents watching with some good advice on how to handle problems with children.
Over on Fox, we have Nanny 911. Of course, Fox likes to create spectacle with its reality shows, and Nanny 911 gives us not just one nanny, but three. Is the show three times better than Supernanny? In a word, no. Not even close.
The format of Nanny 911 is identical to Supernanny. We meet the troubled family in the beginning. You know, the bratty kids, the overworked mother, and the father who putters around ineffectively. The typical American family — in the world according to Fox, of course, which means the family is in total chaos.
The nannies are assembled at "Nanny Central," presided by the head nanny, Lillian Sperling, who we are told was a nanny to British royalty. Okay. The other three nannies are Nanny Deb (Deborah Carroll), Nanny Stella (Stella Reid) and Nanny Yvonne (Yvonne Shove). Nanny Lillian reviews the footage of the troubled family and selects a nanny (seemingly at random, although each supposedly have strengths in certain areas) to help the family. This week, we meet the Graham family: father Steve, an ER doctor; mother Janeane; five-year-old twins Trevor and Reece; six-year-old Max; and 13-year-old Zack. We observe the boys spending countless hours playing video games, watching television, throwing tantrums, and beating each other senseless. Nanny Lillian picks Nanny Deb for the family.
The show unfolds almost exactly the same way that Supernanny does: the nanny spends the first day observing the family, the second day introducing the family rules, and the rest of the week working with the family to implement the rules.
Article comments
1 - Joseph Johaneman
Hehe. I just couldn't help but think of Supernanny from the Comedy Central show "Drawn Together" while reading this. Now I really want to see Supernanny.
2 - Pat Fish
I've watched both of these shows but is it just me or is there a common sense thing lost in it all?
After ten minutes of watching the show I can peg what the parents are doing wrong. And always the parents resist anything the nanny wants to do.
In the end everything is hunky-dory.
3 - Katy
Great, awesome show!
4 - Jenn
This show is definitely one of the greatest shows-or was one of the greatest shows; I am still foaming at the mouth due to its cancellation. It was so informative, and interesting for all age groups. I like Supernanny, but Nanny 911 just had the little extra ingredient that Supernanny is lacking:choice, because there were three nannies; drama, there seemed to be more discussions and humour; and finally,there is much more emotion invloved with this show. This is just my opinion but I belive it to be true. I loved season 1 on dvd. Does anyone know when season 2 will be on dvd? Anyway, I hope my writing was usefeul to someone.
5 - K-Dog
I liked this show a lot. It should not have ended. It was really interesting. I dunno when season 2 will be on dvd but they better hurry up ;)
BRING IT BACK :
6 - Layla
If you want pure entertainment, watch Nanny 911.
If you want entertainment and helpful tips, watch Supernanny. Both shows special in their own way. Well put, I think!
7 - Candace
When will the 2nd season of nanny 911 come out on dvd? I am 38 years old and loved watching it with my two teenage daughters and 9 year old son. I was shocked when it was canceled. It was a mistake. The fact that it was canceled just because there was no room for it on the FOX network is wrong. It should have moved to a different network, considering its past success. Anyway, I was just wondering when the second season of it would be released. It was a great show while it lasted.
8 - Manny, Ohio
I agree with you Candace. The cancelation was ridiculous. It was a truly, entertaing reality show that served a very specific purpose. I am also a fan and my 13 year old daughter actually liked the show and looked forward to watching it with me every Friday. The cancelation of Trading Spouses also upset me because It was such an interesting reality series. Bring them back!
9 - MICHELLE REWERTS
I'M A HUGE FAN OF THE SHOW. I BASICALY WATCH YOUR SHOW TO GET TIPS BECAUSE IN THE DISTANT FUTURE, MY BOYFRIEND AND I WANT TO ADOPT CHILDREN. AND WHEN WE DO, WE ARE GONNA USE THOSE TECHNIQUS ON THEM. THE ONLY THING THAT I DON'T REALLY GRASP IS THE STAY IN BED TECHNIQUE, AFTER THE THIRD OR FOURTH TIME THE CHILD GETS UP, HOW COME YOU SAY NOTHING? ISN'T THAT BEING CRUEL TO THE CHID BY NOT TALKING TO THEM? I ALSO HAVE A NIFTY IDEA AND I JUST THOUGHT OF THIS TOO, SINCE SUPPERNANNY AND NANNY 911 DOES PRACTICALLY THE SAME THINGS, WOULDN'T IT BE EASIER TO COMBINDED THE TO SHOWS AND HAVE SUPPERNANNY JOIN YOUR TEAM?
10 - Lisa
I love the two shows. I have both of them on dvd. I am so upset that Nanny 911 was canceled. It was such a great show. It was one of my faves. I hope Supernanny lasts a long time. When I watch TLC`s new show, Take Home Nanny, it makes me so angry because it makes me think about why nanny 911 was ever canceled. OH, MY! Don`t get me started.
11 - Paula
I miss Nanny 911. BRING IT BACK! BBRING IT BACK!RING IT BACK! I HOPE I MADE MY POINT!
12 - WWJD
i loved nanny 911 i am 15 and i watch the shows reruns every single day please i live for this show PLEASE BRING IT BACK!!!!!!!
I AM BEGGING YOU PLEASE
13 - Katharine
What is this about Nanny 911 being canceled? When did this happen? I have been waiting for its return for a year. I don't use the computer much so maybe other people knew. I can't believe it. What a mistake that was.
14 - Leanna Gerbert
oh my gosh! i had no idea it was cancelled! it was always so popular. i am going to miss it. i thought it just hit a plateau or something because it has not been on in a while but i had no idea it was calcelled. i'm shocked. I cannot believe this. Well, will season 2 on dvd still be released. please someone respond.
15 - Kellie James
Both shows are really great. Supernanny is great at helpful tips and Nanny 911 emphasizes problems like communication and respect. I like the concept of the main nanny on Nanny 911 who choses one of three nannies, but Jo Frost is really smart too. I hope Supernanny continues for a long time and I hope they bring Nanny 911 back for a fourth season. Two thumbs up for both!
16 - D.J.
I am disheartened by the fact that Nanny 911 was cancelled. My 13 year old daughter and I loved the show and watch the first season on dvd all the time. We are still waiting for seaosn two to be released. It was a great show. It was entertaining and helpful at the same time. I am unhappy about the cancellation because I felt it was a useful tool for parents. Hopefully supernanny will last a long time for parents. Nobody reads parenting books any more, so these shows are parents' last resort.
17 - Caitlin
I really liked this show. I was so mad when it was cancelled, and so were all of my friends. They should give it another chance indeed!
18 - Deanne Laughlin:)
I am so shocked it was cancelled. It is absolute insanity. It was my favorite show. It really helped me with my children. The communication in home is so much better because of Nanny 911. I hope they decide to at least release the second and third season on dvd. The fans deserve that much :(
19 - Ruth, Hartford
I am a 60 year old woman and I love these two shows. I encountered them both about 3 years ago. I watch Supernanny every Friday. I am upset about the end of Nanny 911. That, too, was an extremely educational series. My grandchildren watched it with me all of the time. I am so relieved, though, that Supernanny will be around for a long time. Frost is brilliant! Hopefully, the fate of Nanny 911 will be revisited soon.
20 - Mike, Colorado
My wife and children really enjoy Supernanny and Nanny 911. I usually end up watching it with them. They really aren't terrible shows. I see that, along with entertainment, provide America (and other countries) with many effective parenting advice. I am enjoying the repeats of Nanny 911, but agree it never should have been cancelled. Supernanny is still going strong which is good. Finally, we see a reality series with a purpose...
21 - Maggie
Yeah, I am so excited because it was released that Supernanny has been renewed for the 2009-2010 season. I am so relieved! I love Supernanny:)
22 - FAR
I watch the show on DISCOVERY HEALTH.
My husband and I don't have children, but I still really like to watch the show, so that when we see our friends' children are not behaving, I recall one of the episodes and say to myself, "This is what's suppose to be done"!