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Supernanny Jo Frost poses for cameras during a short break from working with a local father of four who gained some much-needed parenting guidance.
STAR PHOTO BY AMY M. ARMSTRONG
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Four children and their struggling, single father received a crash course in effective parenting last week as ABC television's Supernanny, Jo Frost, paid a weeklong visit to Eagle River.
While the family's identity and specific problems cannot legally be revealed until the network announces the airdate, Frost said her help was needed.
"He called for my help," Frost said as she took a 15-minute break from her grueling, 12-hour a day filming schedule. "When people watch this show, they will see this man is just such an inspiration. He really put 100 percent into this and really turned things around for his family."
That's why Frost spends a great deal of time on the road and away from her own family.
Her mission is to help families - one at a time - get control of the discipline issues in their homes.
It's also turned into a hit reality television show with Frost tackling domestic unrest at its source - right in the home.
In January 2005, millions of viewers tuned in to see her arrive for the first time on American television at the home of the featured family in her trademark purple suit with her hair pulled back in knot, glasses perched at the tip of her nose and umbrella in hand.
She was already a hit in the United Kingdom and quickly gained a loyal fan base in the United States with her famous catch phrase, "Your behavior is very naughty."
When Frost came to the as yet unidentified location in Eagle River about a week ago, she was dressed in the blue shirt and black slacks she wears for segments of the show in which she does a lot of interactive work with children.
"I am really proud of this family I am working with here in Eagle River," she said. "The father himself summed it up quite well, I must say. He said the reason he did this for his children is because he loves them. When you have love, you can move mountains. You can move these beautiful mountains that are all around you here."
Mountains - particularly Mt. McKinley - made a favorable impression on Frost, whose work in Eagle River was part of her first trip to Alaska.
She was able to take a couple days to visit Denali National Park and catch an extended view of three black bears in the wilderness.
"It was such a thrill," she said. "The outdoors here is just simply phenomenal."
So, will she come back to Alaska? After all, getting an entire production crew - the same one that blocked off an entire residential block last week - from the Lower 48 to the Last Frontier isn't cheap.
"Yes," she said. "If there is a family here who needs my help and writes in, yes, I'll come back."
Reach the reporter at news@alaskastar.com.
