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4/17: Meeting the Supernanny
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
ABOVE: Producer Tommy Coriale, coordinator Katie Greene and Jo Frost confer on the front porch of the Marietta family she’s helping out. CREDIT: Rodney Ho/Staff
More photos can be found here in this gallery.
Jo Frost, best known as ABC’s “Supernanny,” made her second trip to metro Atlanta this week for the reality show, this time helping a familiy in a Marietta subdivision. (ABC requested we not reveal the family yet.)
I watched Frost enter and leave the home from her black London taxi, first in severe tan formalwear as if it were “observation” day. Later, she changed into a casual blue shirt and let her hair down to appear as if she’s on “training” days and filmed more shots of her coming and going.
At one point, director G.T. Taylor told her to grab a basketball and take a shot at the basket on the driveway. In one take, Frost swished it, looked impishly in the camera and went on her merry way to the door. “Genius!” Taylor exclaimed.
So here’s the reality: shots of Frost outside a home may appear on TV to have been filmed over multiple days but for logistical reasons are all done in a single day. And the producers will make it look seamless: this staff of 20 is packed with veterans of shows such as “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” “Survivor,” “The Apprentice” and “Flavor of Love.”
For neighbors curious about the hubbub, the novelty of the cameras and trucks and staff scurrying around quickly lost its allure as the “hurry up and wait” of TV production sunk into true “reality.” “This is boring!” one young child said after watching for 15 minutes and eventually, the “Supernanny” crew was left alone.
Staff members noted that what happens inside, the meat of the show, isn’t staged. It’s simply Frost doling out her stern advice to Americans who seem more agreeable to critiques because of her soothing British tones.
In an interview at the start of the day, Frost said she’s on the road 11 months out of the year shooting episodes for both the U.S and the U.K. versions of “Supernanny.” (More than 100 have aired combined in both countries over four years.) But with 16-years-plus of nanny experience, she still loves advising families. Any plans for her own children one day? “Yes,” she said, with a chuckle, “but I’d have to be Houdini right now!”
On her off time later this week, she hopes to visit the Georgia Aquarium and swim with the whale sharks.
This episode is set to air later this year or early next year. And Frost has a new book coming out May 6 focused on advice for parents of infants called “Jo Frost’s Confident Baby Care: What You Need to Know For the First Year From America’s Most Trusted Nanny.”
-Star 94’s Morning Mess producer Mike Weiss was a bit peeved with my colleague Richard Eldredge’s portrayal of the Mess in Buzz today. He defended the show’s community service outreach and finished the email with this delightful passive-aggressive kicker:
You’re right, we do love having adult fun with our listeners. But if you ever feel like writing about the next positive thing we do on our show, don’t call any of the 4 of us. We have no desire to give you the time of day.
Have a blessed day!
(His boss Mark Kanov apologized for the tone of the email to Rich when he found out about it.)
Comments
By A Pro
April 17, 2008 3:50 PM | Link to this
Nice move Dill-Weed…telling the press off always works.
By Keef
April 17, 2008 4:56 PM | Link to this
I agree. What a dope.
By Lisey P.
April 17, 2008 5:23 PM | Link to this
I would be embarrased that my kids are so freakin’ ill-mannered that some British “super nanny” had to come show me how to get them in line. What has the world come to?
My mom and dad didn’t play that crap — and neither did I with my own kids. Kids misbehaving? All it took was “The Look” from my parents and we straigtened up quick — and in a hurry!
By DEE
April 17, 2008 5:27 PM | Link to this
Hopefully, it is only time before the Morning Mess is a morning memory.
By Tool Police
April 17, 2008 5:29 PM | Link to this
More proof that the tools at Star aren’t worth listening to. Did this fool really believe he could send that in and not have it appear in print.
DUH. Star 94 is for losers.
By Neil
April 17, 2008 5:34 PM | Link to this
Note to Mike - Not getting yo name in Peach Buzz is a great way to great publicity for yourself. Who broke the story of the Regular Guys return? AJC’s Rodney Ho, why? Coz Larry had developed a long friendship with Rodney. TRG debuted with higher ratings than Morning Mess thanks to it. Hey Morning Mess, get your reel together. It won’t be long.
Lisey - All my mom had to do was pretend to get out a belt and I got in line. These entitled parents don’t need a Nanny, the need parenting classes. So too do their parents who let them learn bad behavior.
By bwhite
April 17, 2008 5:44 PM | Link to this
Supernanny sat in front of me and arrived Friday in Atlanta aboard Northwestern. Her hair is gorgeous, and yes she is a hefty girl. She is very attractive and appears to be very friendly and allergic to nuts. We couldn’t purchase nuts on the flight.
By daboy
April 17, 2008 6:33 PM | Link to this
Atleast he had the balls to tell Rich to F off. This really is getting fun to watch!!!!
By bwhite
April 17, 2008 6:41 PM | Link to this
The Morning Mess is like listening to a group of fraternity and sorority members. Some of it is so immature. I can’t imagine even young 20 somethings enjoying it. At least treat the listeners like intelligent human beings, not stupid jerks.
By bwhite
April 17, 2008 6:43 PM | Link to this
The Morning Mess is like listening to a group of fraternity and sorority members. Some of it is so immature. I can’t imagine even young 20 somethings enjoying it. At least treat the listeners like intelligent human beings, not stupid jerks.
By bwhite
April 17, 2008 6:45 PM | Link to this
The Morning Mess is like listening to a group of fraternity and sorority members. Some of it is so immature. I can’t imagine even young 20 somethings enjoying it. At least treat the listeners like intelligent human beings, not stupid jerks.
By Sheryl
April 17, 2008 6:51 PM | Link to this
Love the Nanny…just love her. Thank God there’s SOMEBODY out there doing what she does! It’s just unreal to watch that show, then look out over your own subdivision and wonder. Keep up the fine job!
By Najeh Davenpoop
April 17, 2008 6:59 PM | Link to this
Good to see that the Supernanny is no longer locked up in the mental hospital consuming excrement.
By Messed Out!
April 17, 2008 7:20 PM | Link to this
Now we can see why the Morning Mess is such a bunch of losers … their leader is a BIGGER loser!
I wouldn’t want to captain of THAT sinking ship!
Could be worse - you could be the guy who HIRED them! Is this the same guy who wants the Steve & Vikki ads off TV - not surprising! Classic C.Y.A.
By Messed Out!
April 17, 2008 7:31 PM | Link to this
Now we can see why the Morning Mess is such a bunch of losers … their leader is a BIGGER loser!
I wouldn’t want to captain of THAT sinking ship!
Could be worse - you could be the guy who HIRED them! Is this the same guy who wants the Steve & Vikki ads off TV - not surprising! Classic C.Y.A.
By Rob
April 17, 2008 8:17 PM | Link to this
Sometimes we all just need a little help—nothing wrong with that and kudos to the parents for seeking help. I’d rather watch this then read about dead kids on the morning news because the parents couldn’t pull it together. For those of you who shake your fingers, shame on you. I’m happy that your “look” does it for your kids. Let’s revisit you in a few years and see how just “looking” at your children with a certain stare made you a perfect parent. @@
By Beth
April 17, 2008 8:41 PM | Link to this
I can relate with you, Lisey and Neil about the old-school days of yore. It seems like an lot of us were raised to show manners and have more respect than the current generation. ‘Just one look’ was all it took for me to get in line, and you can bet that I never ‘showed my butt’ — in Pizza Hut or anywhere else. Let one of us show out, back in the day, please. Those belts and switches were no joke!
That said, your point is well-taken, Rob. There are some advancements of civilization that I enjoy, like the technological advances that make life easier and more enjoyable. With all of these distractions, however, it’s harder for parents to do their jobs effectively, and unfortunately, kids have a lot of bad role models to draw examples from. Look at movies and television that are rated PG and PG-13 now… would we have been allowed to watch them or some of the TV shows back in the day, at least at such a young age?
At least these parents are admitting that their parenting skills might need some honing, and they care enough about their kids and family unity to get some help.
By Lexusdrv
April 17, 2008 10:08 PM | Link to this
Surpise, Super Nanny is coming to East Cobb again. Saw an episode a couple of years ago with her teaching rich, white, right wing repug parents how to actually raise their spoiled and undisciplined children. Now, she’s back to advise another “East Cobb, rich because my parents where rich” parents how to actually raise their children. Remember - “You can raise your children and spoil your grandchildren or spoil your children and raise your grandchildren.” In both these cases, neither is happening.
By sandee
April 18, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this
The bosses at Star 94 are really sweating. They made a mistake and should admit it publicly by leaving Steve & Vikki alone and starting over with a new morning show.
By Shirley
April 18, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this
The Morning Mess is exactly that….one big mess that I refuse to listen to. I enjoyed Steve and Vicki with their crew but the new bunch is just disgusting.
I look forward to Steve and Vicki coming back on a new station! Poor Star 94 lost a great morning show.
By Boomer
April 18, 2008 9:13 PM | Link to this
It’s real nice the “super nanny” is helping parents “train” their crumb-crunchers. Something that seemed to work even better before Dr. Spock and the “let them act out” B.S. was the paddle, belt, or go pick out a switch (and you’d better pick out one to mom’s standards). Those little things of LOVE seemed to work wonders on misbehaving yard apes and curtain climbers (including me). ANY parent that allows their child to scream at them, pitch tantrums, and disrepect either parent…well, those parents should have been sterilized before they reproduced.
By anonymous
April 19, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this
Kids are kids whether they live in East Cobb, West Cobb, Atlanta, or Buckhead they can all use a little more guidance. Kudos to the family that ask for help. East Cobb kids are not spoiled, and not all RICH. That’s the problem people are so quick to judge, and make assumptions before they have all of the facts. Just happy that there is someone like Jo changing lives.
By anonymous
April 19, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this
Kids are kids whether they live in East Cobb, West Cobb, Atlanta, or Buckhead they can all use a little more guidance. Kudos to the family that ask for help. East Cobb kids are not spoiled, and not all RICH. That’s the problem people are so quick to judge, and make assumptions before they have all of the facts. Just happy that there is someone like Jo changing lives.
By Cord
April 20, 2008 7:13 AM | Link to this
People in East Cobb think they are the center of the world.Just ask them. They will tell you. As we all know, living in a development right on top of your neighbors is so much better than living in the country with acres of land, nature, and much more to look at besides asphalt. BLECH!
By preschool teacher
April 20, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this
There are spoiled kids everywhere, East Cobb doesn’t corner the market. Too many parents today are afraid to discipline their children and take the time to teach them proper manners, respect and behavior. I’ve observed many parents who let the children control the family and then throw up their hands and say “I just can’t get her to go to bed, I just can’t get him to listen to me…” Parenting is hard work and there are too many people who have let themselves get so busy they don’t want to take the time. I could write a book about some of the bizarre things parents do and say. However, at least these parents recognize they are going about it wrong and are asking for help. The worst thing is for the parents to be clueless and think their children are “precious darlings” when in effect they are total brats. I wish more parents would ask for help.
By Tony
April 21, 2008 12:07 PM | Link to this
Wow! I live in the East Cobb subdivision where they are filming. I didn’t realize I was rich. You learn smoething new everyday. Don’t tell my wife she’ll want to quit her job.
By Harold
April 21, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this
Why they gotta go and give Marietta a bad name by claiming East Cobb is Marietta? It ain’t!
By GG
April 22, 2008 2:35 PM | Link to this
It seems to me the Morning Mess producer really cares about his show and is standing up for it! Cut him some slack- I’m sure it isn’t easy coming into a town where everyone hates even the smallest change and already has their minds made up about you in a negative way! I really like the Mess, probably because I’m not some 40 year old hag on my way to a job that I hate, and I get their jokes and humor. At least the producer tried to DO something about the negative feedback- look at all the other posts on here. Everyone is so nasty! Give the Mess a chance, and for god’s sake, SMILE!!
By A Pro
April 22, 2008 3:57 PM | Link to this
GG is as clueless at the dillweed producer. When they get their pinkslips and pack up I hope that you go with them, GG. Good riddance