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SUPERMANNY [EPISODE CHANGE]
Air Date: Friday, January 29, 2010
Time Slot: 8:00 PM-9:00 PM EST on ABC
Episode Title: (#101) "Super-manny Special (Griswold Family)"
[NOTE: The following article is a press release issued by the aforementioned network and/or company. Any errors, typos, etc. are attributed to the original author. The release is reproduced solely for the dissemination of the enclosed information.]

ON A "SUPERNANNY" SPECIAL, THE WORLD'S FIRST SUPER-MANNY, MIKE RUGGLES, FACES HIS BIGGEST CHALLENGE EVER WITH "SUPER-MANNY SEPECIAL: GRISWOLD FAMILY"

The world's first Super-Manny, Mike Ruggles, meets his match with a chaotic family of six from Colorado, on ABC's "Supernanny," when "Super-Manny Special: Griswold Family" airs FRIDAY, JANUARY 29 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. Working dad Allan has a short temper and terrifies his children with his yelling and threats. Roberta, a stay-at-home-mom, feels like a failure and has ceded control of the house to the kids. She's very negative, calling her house a "hellhole," and has given up on ever getting cooperation from her four children. Seven-year-old Joe has anger management issues: He yells, hits, curses and flips the bird regularly; a trip to the grocery store shows him repeatedly kicking and punching older sister, Lauren, 11, breaking glass and writing the F-word in the freezer condensation. Brianna, at 16, berates her mother and has taken up underage drinking -- she's already been hospitalized for alcohol poisoning. Even toddler Alex, 2, has faced the wrath of his older brother and his enraged dad.

Note: This episode replaces "Mann Family," which moves to February 5.

Enter Super-Manny, and Mom says, "Thank God, help is here." Mike Ruggles is a warm Chicagoan with over 17 years' experience as a teacher and developmental therapist for children. He focuses on the specific challenges presented by this family. After an observation period, he kicks the parents out of the house and gives the kids a voice by using role-playing techniques to determine some of the root problems, as the parents watch from a monitor. In the Griswolds' case, this provides a tearful comeuppance for Mom and Dad as Joe confesses his fear of his father and imitates his dad's rages. In addition, Mike has some tough talk for Roberta about the continued effect of her negativity on the family and her marriage -- if things continue down this path, failure is assured. He walks the parents through challenging scenarios with Joe, educating them step by step.

Super-Manny also creates an unforgettable interventional moment with Brianna, forcing her to confront the potential consequences of alcohol abuse by meeting survivors of car accidents that involved drinking and driving. Young Lauren weeps as Mike leaves the house later, in fear that her family will revert to their old habits. But Super-Manny has some powerful and innovative ways to break through to everyone including taking the whole family on a camping trip. It's a Griswold Family Vacation unlike any other, and it will change their lives.

"Super-Manny" is produced by Shed Media. Executive producers are Nick Powell, Nick Emmerson and Stephanie Scham. "Super-Manny" is broadcast with Spanish subtitles via secondary closed captioning. This program carries a TV-PGL parental guideline.

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