Posted by chicagomedia.org on May 19, 2008 at 19:05:16:
Families looking for tough love
'Supernanny' holds auditions for kids who need to shape up
May 19, 2008
BY HANL BECKMAN Special to The Sun
The two preschoolers were a little unruly, to say the least.
In fact, they were so out of control the management at Hollywood Boulevard Cinema in Woodridge had to chase them down a hallway and return them to their parents.
But rest easy; they weren't part of the normal Sunday matinee crowd. Their parents brought them in for the only Chicago-area casting call for "Supernanny," ABC television's hit reality show.
Now in its fifth season, the show dispatches English nanny Jo Frost to help frantic parents with the children who drive them to distraction.
"Between him and his 16-year-old sister, we could use a little help," said Darien resident Karen Meehan, pointing at her 9-year-old son Kristopher. "At times they are uncontrollable ... they fight, don't listen and won't do their homework."
Kristopher had no trouble reciting a list of his transgressions, saying, "I play video games all day and don't care at all about how dirty my room gets or if my homework gets done."
If the Meehan's are lucky enough to make the cut, they will encounter a no-nonsense professional that specializes in tough love.
Frost uses her 20 years of experience to tackle a wide range of problems.
They won't go to bed on time? She has an answer. Bullying boys and mean girls? She can handle it. From the most anti-social behavior to simple safety issues such as how to stop children from roaming dangerously in public, Frost can help parents with their problem children.
But be prepared for a blunt assessment of your parenting skills.
"She's (Frost) a strong woman who doesn't take any crap," said Scott Mackay, morning drive DJ for 95.9 The River. "A lot of this behavior comes from parents and we need to admit failure ... we're not perfect."
The River broadcast live from the casting call and Mackay was impressed with the "Supernanny."
"I've watched the show from the beginning and we've learned so many ways to deal with bad behavior," he said.
Casting producer Josh Mills travels around the country auditioning families for the show.
"I've had 6- and 10-year-olds attack me," Mills said with a shrug. "But Jo helps the kids and their families and they couldn't be happier."
The casting call was unplanned, the result of a delayed plane flight that put The River's business manager next to a producer of the show in the Scottsdale, Ariz., airport lounge. When the producer said that they hadn't been very successful in the Scottsdale market, the business manager suggested Chicago and the deal was done.
Mills said the casting calls were most productive in Ohio.
"Ohio is always receptive," he said. "They have enough problems and they're open to talking about them."