According to this article in the U.K.'s Telegraph, kids on the reality TV show Supernanny have been intentionally made to cry to boost ratings. The show is successful in Britain and in the United States (on ABC) and has made host Jo Frost a household name.

My question is: why is this surprising? It's somewhat common knowledge that reality TV intentionally gets its participants into awkward situations in order to get good TV out of it. Hell, right before I started with TV Squad I appeared on a cable TV game show and I was amazed at how much the producers wanted me to behave a certain way in order to make for better TV.

I admit I don't really watch this show or Nanny 911!, but I did like it when South Park did the send-up and had them try to discipline Eric Cartman. He made the nannies cry instead.

I wonder what methodology the creators behind Supernanny used to make the kids cry? Perhaps they watch other reality TV shows?

[via ParentDish]