TV Guilt

I have heard lately from a bunch of bloggers who love their trash TV.  Whether it be dwarfs, or tiny beauty queens, housewives, Jersey-ites, or Glee........ seems everyone has a guilty TV pleasure.
I have one too.  It is Supernanny.

At first it is like pictures of strung out Lindsey Lohan.  I just can't turn away.  My older kids love to watch this part with me.  We are shocked and entertained by the antics of these children.  Some bite their parents.  Others pummel their siblings or refuse to eat.  (Unheard of in this family.)

Usually by the time Supernanny's observation period is over I wonder how these families got to this point.  Most of the families seem to be upper middle class, educated and well kept. I am sure they have had access to health care, parenting literature, and the example of other parents.  (Well maybe not.  I probably wouldn't have to have a play date with some of these "before" kids.)

During the last few episodes I took off my "judgey" pants and tried to analyze what may have led to the poor behavior.  It seems to me in most circumstances the parents are 65%  nice, and 35% temporarily lazy.  They probably haven't always been lazy, but parents get tired and then they let a few things go and next thing they know a downward spiral has occurred and it is pandemonium.  Then they are left just trying to survive another day.

We get close at our house.  And after a few days of cruddy behavior I realize I no longer like my kids. Then we lay down the law again and get back on track.  The most famous episode was the summer I told my kids if they didn't mind me right away, the first time I said something, while saying, "Yes Ma'am." we would leave our outing and come straight home for the rest of the day.  I told them to sit still at church while I went to the bathroom.  When I came back they had all moved seats.  My kids behaved so badly we had to leave church!

Supernanny reminds the families of the importance of rules and consequences.  I love the looks on the kids faces when they introduce the rules.  It is part, "What?" and part, "Oh thank goodness my brother will no longer be allowed to cut my hair with the weed eater."

The first time out is always painful. The kids are stubborn because they are accustomed to getting their way.  Finally it sinks in there is a new sheriff in town. You can almost feel the relief from the young 'uns.

It all seems to be downhill from there.
It is nice in the end to see the families enjoy their children again and also to see the parents get their sanity back.

***Last minute addition.  I have a new guilty TV pleasure!  I may be in love.  I never realized Steven Tyler was so freaking funny and sexy!!  More Idol tomorrow?  I hope so!

What is your favorite stupid show?  Do you like these?
What did you think of the new Idol judges?