My kind of reality, and not...

While the writer strike looms on, we're stuck with basically reality t.v. and a few episodes here and there of our favorite shows.

I used to be a reality nut. The Bachelor, Real World, American Idol, Average Joe, The Apprentice, you name it and I watched it. I do pride myself in saying that I never watched a few of those Fox ones that were really, really pathetic. But, I won't say I'm above watching some of the bottom-of-the-barrel ones either.

There's one reality show though, that I have to poll readers about. That show is Supernanny. Now, I realize the "un-kidded" segment of society probably find watching a bunch of bratty children make mincemeat of their parents quite the equivalent to being stuck on a long plane ride with ear-infected screaming toddlers to either side of you. But, are there really parents out there who do NOT watch this show and love it completely?

I am addicted. I love Nanny Jo-Jo. I think I might even have a non-sexual crush on the woman. Why? Because I manage to get the following out of each episode:

• The comfort of knowing my kids, even at their worst, are not this bad.
• The raw realization that there are things in them that I see in some of these out-of-control tykes that must be nipped in the bud N-O-W.
• Tools to use for discipline that I have yet to find elsewhere.
• Good examples of bad behavior to show my kids if need be (haven't done this yet though, have you?)

I've enjoyed this season more than ever because she is featuring some older kids more now. Her idea for having a reflection spot for an older child who has been ugly, is great. I especially like her technique of having the child write during his timeout what he did wrong and what he'd do to change it. I did this with my son. Not only is he getting much needed writing practice, it will help him with his journaling skills for school AND perhaps get him to writing his own feelings down, something I find quite therapeutic.

Now, on the other spectrum, my husband and I recorded and watched The Moment of Truth, a new reality show on Fox that has contestants hooked up to a lie detector machine answer questions in front of family, friends and coworkers. If they tell the truth, they move on. If they lie, they are out without a dime and probably with their relationships in shambles.

This is surely among the lowest forms of the reality shows on t.v. And, the entire time I watched, the angel on my right shoulder was whispering, "Darling, turn this crap off. Watching people forced to admit they've peeked at their friends privates in the shower after gym class is NOT entertainment or very nice."

But, at the same time, the devil on the other shoulder was saying, "Hahaha! Yes, he actually admitted he wears a rug!" And, "Oooh! Can you believe he actually said he goes through his co-workers' desks when they're not around--right in front of his BOSS?"

I'm pretty certain, if Nanny Jo-Jo were around, I'd be sent right to that reflection spot to sit and think about what I was contributing to our society by watching this sort of 'rubbish.' And, I bet she'd have me write a full page on that!