'Nanny 911' exploits kids

When it comes to so-called "reality" shows, I don't really care what adults do. If grown-ups decide to sign on to one of these things and make themselves look like fools, well, that's their right.

And, besides, you don't have to watch it.

If, on the other hand, kids end up participating in TV's version of "reality," that's a different story. Which is why I have serious problems with the new Fox series "Nanny 911."

The premise is that parents whose children are out of control call on an experienced nanny to come in and help them out. So perhaps I should be grateful that nobody's having plastic surgery to become a "Swan" or being there "When Animals Attack," like your average Fox reality show. And, frankly, there's nothing particularly original about this idea — "20/20" has done segments that look exactly like this.

But these are real, live kids they're talking about when the show opens to this narration: "They are every parent's worst nightmare. Kids completely out of control and taking over the household. These families have reached the end of the rope. They are in desperate need of help. They only have one alternative left — time to dial 'Nanny 911.'"

Excuse me, but there's no alternative to putting your kids on TV for the entertainment purposes of others? (And to feed Fox's bottom line?)

Yes, the kids in tonight's premiere (8 p.m., Ch. 13) behave abominably. Four-year-old Dylan hits, swears, bosses, throws stuff and makes his parents' lives miserable. His 3-year-old sister, Natalie, isn't much better.

I suppose you could say there's even some public service done here as Nanny Deb teaches parents Matt and Karen what they're doing wrong — that "the issues lie more with the parents than with the kids."

She goes on to demonstrate that that is, indeed, the case.

But these are still real, live kids being called "every parent's worst nightmare" and being shown on national TV for our entertainment. (Although "entertainment" is a relative term.)

And there's something about that that makes "Nanny 911" even more reprehensible than going to "Temptation Island" or lying to your family about your "Big Fat Obnoxious Fiance."

---

E-mail: pierce@desnews.com