A Wilson on Supernanny

[Andrew G. Doe]

This is the kind of lame excuse I detest - "I'm a crappy parent, but it's because of how my folks brought me up".

Only one reason why she's on the program: Brian Wilson.

[carl r]

I actually like Supernanny and think it shows some useful ways of dealing with kids. Without having seen the show, I think it's ridiculous that these sort of problems from the 1970s are repackaged as voyeuristic, self-pitying attention-grabbing entertainment. But I guess that the attention-seeking is because of her upbringing, right? Just like their upbringing was used for effect in the Wilson-Phillips music videos, showing Brian in old home movies? 

[MBE]

In the late sixties and early seventies home movie footage you can see Brian having fun with the kids, but this was before the real decline. Perhaps Carnie remembers Brian in better shape (the story she told about him helping her in Holland for instance), but as Wendy is younger it can make her memories differ. I only filped through it ans was bored so I didn't get to see the pictures. Any good ones?

[Andrew G. Doe]

In the late sixties and early seventies home movie footage you can see Brian having fun with the kids, but this was before the real decline. Perhaps Carnie remembers Brian in better shape (the story she told about him helping her in Holland for instance), but as Wendy is younger it can make her memories differ. I only filped through it ans was bored so I didn't get to see the pictures. Any good ones?

That would fly if there was a big difference in their ages, but there isn't. Carnie was born 4/29/68, Wendy 10/16/69.

[MBE]

Well I understand what you are saying but I know I remember being 3 or 4 a lot better then most people I know. In other words Wendy's clear memories miight have kicked in at an somewhat older age. Besides with perhaps the exception of 1976-77, Brian declined perceptably over any given sixteen months of the seventies. I am not trying to defend the show, by not including the reasoning behind Brian's behavior it is an unfair attack.

[Amy B.]

If defense of Supernanny, and of Wendy, she did not only get on the show because she's Wendy Wilson. This is a show where the main focus is on families where parents need to improve their skills-- it's not a celebrity show. She was the first celebrity featured. With or without the fame, that family was a good candidate for the show. Two toddlers and twin infants? Come on.

Also, Wendy had said in an article publicizing the show that she didn't realize that it would become a therapy session, and maybe she meant she didn't realize she'd be asked about her own upbringing. But having seen the show before, I know that Jo (the Supernanny) sometimes asks parents about their own upbringing because it's a clue as to why they act the way they do with their own kids. She doesn't permit it to become an excuse-- she helps them break the cycle or the effect or whatever it is. But _of course_ they're going to explain who Wendy is. It's a coup to get her on the show.

I don't think Wendy is very publicity hungry, judging by her past actions. I think she genuinely went on the show because she was desperate for help. I mean, did you see her kids? She needed help.

Carnie, on the other hand...She also seems like a decent person, but she loves publicity and she loves attention. There was no reason to have her on the show, yet there she was with her daughter, ringing the doorbell. I could see if she had something meaningful to say about babysitting Wendy's kids and what she knew about their behavior, but all she said was that raising 4 kids is hard work. I wonder whose idea it was to have Carnie on the show--ABC's, or Carnie's?

[Susan]

So...more episodes?  Are they going to give Wendy and Dan some help?  Or was this a one-shot deal and they're now left on their own to try to cope with what sounds like a bad situation?  [I didn't see the show; i was out.]

[Fun Is In]

Yeah, the whole point of the show is to assess the situation, teach the parents new parenting skills and give them an ooporunity to try out those skills with feedback/supervision until they are making headway.

[Fun Is In]

I shouldn't have said that's the whole point of the show. That's just the premise/plan.
The point of the show is to sell advertising.

[Chris Brown]

So...more episodes?  Are they going to give Wendy and Dan some help?  Or was this a one-shot deal and they're now left on their own to try to cope with what sounds like a bad situation?  [I didn't see the show; i was out.]

I don't regularly watch the show, but I'm pretty sure its always meant to be a one-shot deal.  By the end they had strategies in place to help them deal with things, so the assumption at the end is that they're going to be okay now.

[Dr. Tim]

I saw it, and it wasn't that bad really.  Though I do agree this episode's "hook" seems to have been she's Brian's kid, he was a bad dad because he was nuts, and she wasn't sure how that would translate to her parenting skills.  From that point of view the remarks about Brian were a bit of a cheap shot, especially if you don't know his story, which many folks don't (for all they know he's still nuts).  But as others noted above being nuts is no excuse for being a bad parent, and if her memories of him are of his absence/reticence then that's her truth and there's no shaking it.

Compared to other shows I've seen, actually Wendy and Dan were just overwhelmed, but their heads were screwed on pretty straight, they were trying to work as a team, and their only real fault was not being stricter in terms of structure and discipline - not uncommon at all.  Yes it's a one-shot, all the shows are.

My daughter loves this show, and she thought it hysterical how the four year old kept soiling himself to act out.  I've heard other kids like to watch it too -- so they can see how bad the TV parents are, and tell their own folks "see?  I'm nowhere as bad as those kids."  She does know Brian's story (she saw Beautiful Dreamer) and her only remark afterward was she didn't want anything bad happening to me like happened to Brian.  (Too late!)

[Wilsonista]

The intersting thing is I thought Marilyn came off fairly poorly too on the show, but not nearly as bad as Brian. She didn't say "my dad was unavailable  but my Mom was the Rock of the household" or whatever.  Has anyone noticed the diference in how Carnie and Wendy talk about Brian in public?  The "the world got more of him than I did" was definitely bitter.  Contrast that to Carnie on the Fit Club finale - before her final weigh-in, the show's producers actiually got Brian on the show where he gave Carnie a rather nice message and words of encouragement and praise. She, of course was visibility touched and said that "knowing how my father has struggled with his own problems, that meant a great deal to me".

[southbay]

I don't think any of us are in a position to discuss, much less disect, the relationship between Brian and Wendy...

[Jonas]

I don't think any of us are in a position to discuss, much less disect, the relationship between Brian and Wendy...

You must be new to messageboards...

[Wilsonista]

I don't think any of us are in a position to discuss, much less disect, the relationship between Brian and Wendy...

Nope, still won't stop us. 

[Chris Brown]

The intersting thing is I thought Marilyn came off fairly poorly too on the show, but not nearly as bad as Brian. She didn't say "my dad was unavailable  but my Mom was the Rock of the household" or whatever.  Has anyone noticed the diference in how Carnie and Wendy talk about Brian in public?  The "the world got more of him than I did" was definitely bitter.  Contrast that to Carnie on the Fit Club finale - before her final weigh-in, the show's producers actiually got Brian on the show where he gave Carnie a rather nice message and words of encouragement and praise. She, of course was visibility touched and said that "knowing how my father has struggled with his own problems, that meant a great deal to me".

Yeah I agree Rob, Carnie has always been very defensive of Brian when she talks about him...like I said before, I think Wendy might still harbor some resentment towards Brian, whereas Carnie seems like she has moved past any bitterness she may have had.  Obviously we don't know a lot of what has happened in the past that may explain the difference, but you are right in that there certainly is one.

[Sheriff John Stone]

I don't think any of us are in a position to discuss, much less disect, the relationship between Brian and Wendy...

southbay, I'm gonna agree with you on this. We just don't know enough. Actually, we hardly know anything. It's not like there have been countless books, articles, interviews, and threads devoted to Brian's relationship with his children.

However, it is a subject that would be very interesting to learn more about. It's probably just as fascinating as the other aspects of Brian's life and career. But, due to the personal nature of the relationships (or lack of), and that Carnie and Wendy are innocent victims, it might be best to leave it be. I have a feeling we might be disappointed....

[endofposts]

I have to think, too, that Wendy and Carnie might be jealous of their little sisters and brother.  Maybe they see Brian being more present with his new family, in spite of whatever problems he still might have, and wonder why he couldn't be around as much for them.  Maybe it gives him less of an excuse for his past behavior, in their eyes.

[Ron]

As I mentioned before of course we don't know about Brian and Wendy's relationship... but any outsider can make the comment that it's kind of unfair to paint Brian as a horrible father (which he was) and not mention *at all* that he has severe mental disorders that have made HIS life a living hell as well.  I don't understand why they didn't.  How hard is it to say "My dad struggled with drug addiction and mental disorders that left us children in the lurch" or whatever?  There's nothing wrong with that and it accurately paints his culpability.  Everybody I've seen that knows him basically says He's a great guy with a big heart except he's fucking crazy!

Also about the Carnie thing, on the first episode of "Gone Country" they mentioned Brian, and John Rich told her something like "Coming from music royalty and having your dad be one of the greatest of all time" and Carnie just smiled and was so gracious, it was pretty interesting.

Again though, I have nothing against Wendy and it could have just been an editing decision, but it kind of seemed in poor taste to me. 

[Andrew G. Doe]

Some people are prepared to play games, others aren't.

[Fun Is In]

Watching the show I was impressed by how ONLY the "absent" rock star parent was the cause of so much of Wendy's under-developed pareting skills while Marilyn essentially got a free pass from Wendy and the producers/editors. 

[XY]

Bad vibes, man.
I want to see both B-Wilson families joining daddy for an encore with Melinda & Marilyn sharing one Mic together. I prefer that to a BB reunion.

[The Goat]

Bad vibes, man.
I want to see both B-Wilson families joining daddy for an encore with Melinda & Marilyn sharing one Mic together. I prefer that to a BB reunion.

Uh oh, sounds like another reality show in the works...   

[Sheriff John Stone]

Bad vibes, man.
I want to see both B-Wilson families joining daddy for an encore with Melinda & Marilyn sharing one Mic together. I prefer that to a BB reunion.

Uh oh, sounds like another reality show in the works...   

Oh God, what an idea! Can you imagine a reality show, "The Wilson's", starring Brian Wilson, with Carnie, the little kids, the dogs, the (ex)wives? It would make the Osbournes appear normal. Brian would be the new Ozzy.

It would be a ratings spectacular, and Brian Wilson would be a household name. Uh oh, better not give Melinda any ideas.

[Amy B.]

I picture it being more of a therapy show, centered around Carnie, like "Breaking Bonaduce." She'd talk about her addictions, her weight, her family, and her mom and dad. Every week they'd show her interacting with the people who have hurt her the most and trying to work out her issues with them. The premise would be to help Carnie, but it would really become about the Wilsons and the circus that has always surrounded Brian Wilson.

That's terrible. I think the Wilsons are a very decent lot, all in all. All of them. I'd hate to see them exploit themselves, but I'd probably watch. Oh, who am I kidding? I'd definitely watch.