ABC, Fox to feature series with nannies
ABC and NBC have accused Fox of stealing reality-show ideas.
ZAP2IT.COM
ABC says it's importing a British series that drops a no-nonsense nanny into a home to fix discipline problems and change parenting styles.
And -- surprise -- it may already have a competitor at Fox.
"Supernanny," which was a hit for Britain's Channel 4 in a three-week run earlier this month, will go into production for ABC "immediately," the network says. It's ordered eight episodes of the show, which will feature Jo Frost, a nanny who starred in the U.K. version of the show and has worked for British and American families for 15 years.
A network spokeswoman says the show will be on the air sometime during the 2004-05 season, but no specific airdates have been set.
Frost, described as a "tough-love Mary Poppins," will spend each episode with a different family, observing any problems and offering solutions to both children and their parents. Cameras will visit the families again after Frost leaves to see if her suggestions for improving the family dynamic took root.
Nick Powell, who created "Supernanny," will also oversee the American version along with British production company Ricochet. The show generated strong ratings for Channel 4, averaging more than 5 million viewers in its three-week run. The network is expected to order a second cycle.
Similar show
Meanwhile, Variety reports that another British company, Granada, is developing a similar show called "Nanny 911" for Fox. (Both networks bid on the rights to "Supernanny.")
Fox isn't saying when it started working with Granada on the project, which will feature a team of nannies helping families out, nor is it certain when Granada cooked up its format.
ABC and NBC have both accused Fox of swiping reality-show ideas, then getting their shows on first to steal its rivals' thunder. Fox executives have said the cutthroat competition is just part of doing business.
It appears to be paying off: "Trading Spouses," which Fox rushed onto the air ahead of ABC's similar "Wife Swap," is becoming a hit. The show's second episode drew 9.1 million viewers Tuesday, up from 7.5 million for its premiere.