DEBORAH TILLMAN NAMED “AMERICA’S SUPERNANNY”

Virginia-based Childcare Specialist to Host Reinvented Series Set to Premiere on Lifetime on November 29

LOS ANGELES, California – After an exhaustive search and numerous casting calls throughout the United States, childcare specialist Deborah Tillman has been named host of Lifetime’s all-new unscripted series America’s Supernanny, which is set to premiere on Tuesday, November 29, at 9:00pm ET/PT. The Virginia-based wife, mother and author boasts more than 19 years experience in early childhood education, working with infants, toddlers, preschoolers and elementary school students. Chosen among a pool of over 400 candidates to find an American homegrown nanny for the program, Tillman, who owns several children learning centers in the Old Dominion state, wowed producers with her charisma, firm but loving philosophy to caring for children and natural ability to connect and work with families experiencing relationship problems.

As America’s Supernanny, Tillman will visit the homes of parents throughout the U.S. seeking guidance and assistance on how to best raise their children. Diving straight into the chaos and heart of the matter in the all-new program, she will give viewers an all-access look at troubled households by closely observing each family dynamic to pinpoint their complicated problems – ranging from extremely intense tantrums and constant timeouts to bad habits and misguided parenting – and follow through to resolve their issues to put families on the road to happiness.

Frustrated after seven horrific child care provider experiences with her infant son, in 1992 Tillman ultimately took matters into her own hands by quitting her job as an accountant to start a home-based school where she could provide quality daycare and instruction to her son and other children. An immediate hit among other families in the community, Tillman soon expanded her business into a 5,600 square foot space with a staff of six serving 45 children. Shortly after that, her center amassed a six-month waiting list and in 1998, she opened a second site to accommodate more than 100 students and 16 full-time staff. Today, Tillman operates three centers in Virginia. Tillman holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Upsala College and a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Special Education from George Washington University. She also studied at Oxford University. Tillman has presented workshops on child care throughout the country and is the author of the book Stepping Out on Faith, a guide to opening a quality child care center. She currently lives with her husband and their son in Virginia.

“As soon as we saw Deborah, we knew we had found America’s Supernanny,” said Rob Sharenow, Executive Vice President, Programming, of Lifetime Networks. “She a fresh and original voice, and brings a completely new style and attitude to the franchise. She was by far the best candidate for this important job. We can’t wait to introduce her to America.”

Tillman added, “I feel blessed and privileged that I have been chosen to do exactly what I was put on earth to do — and that is to help children and families come together, get it together and stay together.”

Shed Media US President Nick Emmerson said, “Deborah’s life story is truly inspiring and her passion for helping families is incredible. As America’s Supernanny, she is going to take on whatever parenting problems come her way.”

Lifetime has ordered eight one-hour episodes of America’s Supernanny, which will be produced by Shed Media US with Nick Emmerson and Stephanie Schwam, and Rob Sharenow, Gena McCarthy, Abigail Harvey and Jim Rapsas of Lifetime executive producing.

A global hit Supernanny has been formatted throughout the world, including Belgium, Brazil, China, France, Greece, Holland, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Germany, Malaysia, Romania, Singapore, Spain and Sweden.

Source: Lifetime Press Release

THE POIGNANT SERIES FINALE OF ABC’S “SUPERNANNY” AIRS FRIDAY, MARCH 18

“Evans Family” – After six seasons, on the 117th episode and series finale of “Supernanny,” Jo Frost travels to Houston, Texas to work with a family whose mom died of breast cancer a year earlier. Jo lost own her mother to breast cancer when she was growing up. “To me, this is the end of the world!, laments 6-year-old Michael, who misses his mother terribly and feels his memories of her slipping away. Dad Gary is trying his best to raise Michael and younger sons Sean, 4 and Dylan, 3, on his own, but he’s overwhelmed and can’t bring himself to enforce the rules his wife established for the boys. The boys act out, there’s lots of sibling fighting and their screaming can be deafening at times. In addition, Dylan still isn’t potty trained, and all the boys are picky eaters and devoted to unhealthful foods. When Sean acts up over not getting candy and Jo puts him into his first time out in ages, an epic standoff takes place. Can Jo help this grieving family find peace?

Nick Powell is the creator and executive producer of both the American and British versions of the show. Nick Emmerson and Stephanie Schwam are executive producers of the American version. “Supernanny” is produced by Shed Media.

This program carries a TV-PG parental guideline.

A LAS VEGAS FAMILY NEEDS TO DOUBLE DOWN ON DISCIPLINE

“Federico Family” – Sylvia and Michael Federico have three boys, ages 2, 3 and 5. Mom openly admits she wants to be the fun mom rather than a disciplinarian. Both parents bribe the kids with junk food to get them to behave or to otherwise appease them. Mom brings a loaded backpack with sugary snacks when she takes the boys out in public to use for bribes if they misbehave or complain. The kids sneak snacks all day long, and the parents baby the children, especially Dominic, the 5-year-old. They brush his teeth for him, pick out his clothes and let him use the stroller at will, instead of his 2-year-old brother. When she tries to follow Jo’s instructions for a time out, Sylvia calls it “torture.” Can Jo get these parents to stop mollycoddling and ante up?

Nick Powell is the creator and executive producer of both the American and British versions of the show. Nick Emmerson and Stephanie Schwam are executive producers of the American version. “Supernanny” is produced by Shed Media.

A FAMILY GRIEVING FOR THEIR BELOVED GRANDDAD HAS DESCENDED INTO CHAOS

“Froebrich Family” – The Froebrich parents get no respect. Erich and Beverly have 5 children ranging in age from 1 1/2 to 11 years old, and admit they need a Supernanny intervention. The Froebrich children smack, pinch, yell, fight and talk back, and homework is a battleground in which Mom brings her 11-year-old son to tears. Beverly’s mom lives with the family since Beverly’s dad died, and she considers her daughter a control freak; the stress for everyone has gotten worse since the death. Mom doesn’t discipline the kids at all, but Dad will smack the children with a wooden spoon, pull their ears, and put hot sauce on their lips — but neither parent’s approach works. Can Jo help the family find peace without smacking?

Nick Powell is the creator and executive producer of both the American and British versions of the show. Nick Emmerson and Stephanie Schwam are executive producers of the American version. “Supernanny” is produced by Shed Media.

This program carries a TV-PG,L parental guideline.

A PAIR OF PUSHOVER PARENTS HAVE TRIPLE THE TROUBLE

“Demott Family” – A tough New Jersey cop and his wife find they’re in over their heads when dealing with four-year-old triplets and their older brother, Timmy, who’s 11. The little ones pester their big brother, destroy things, and run out of the house unsupervised. Dad says, “We have three animals!” The parents think that time-outs don’t work, so Mom’s method of discipline is to lock the kids in their bedrooms while they scream, and Dad’s method is to surrender. Mom is at home full time with the children while dad works, and when he comes home, he’s on duty while she heads off to her own job. The relationship between Timmy and his father has deteriorated since the triplets arrived. Can Jo help repair that bond and also bring law and order to the Demotts?

Nick Powell is the creator and executive producer of both the American and British versions of the show. Nick Emmerson and Stephanie Schwam are executive producers of the American version. “Supernanny” is produced by Shed Media.

This program carries a TV-PG,L parental guideline.

A MILITARY MOM HOLDS DOWN THE HOME FRONT WITH THREE FOUR-YEAR-OLDS AND A SIX YEAR OLD — SINGLE-HANDEDLY

“Merrill Family” – While Marine Major Chris Merrill is stationed overseas for a year in Afghanistan, Mom Beckie, 33, is fighting another battle on the home front with their four young children. Garrett, 4 and Elena, 4, are cousins they adopted from Guatemala; Eddie, 6 and Lydia, 4, were adopted just three months ago from Ghana. Beckie tries to balance her desire for attachment with all the children with the firmness required to discipline them. Eddie and Lydia, the newest family members, grapple with frustration over still learning the English language and a great fear of the dark, since in Ghana there were real-life fears of violence at nighttime in their community. All the children feel free to run outside at will and ignore Mom, bedtime is fraught with turmoil, and mealtimes can be a battle zone. Compounding these challenges is the fact that Mom, at times, feels overwhelmed, outnumbered and at her limit, and very much on her own while her husband is away. Can Supernanny bring peace to this Camp Pendleton home? Find out on “Supernanny,” FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18.

Nick Powell is the creator and executive producer of both the American and British versions of the show. Nick Emmerson and Stephanie Schwam are executive producers of the American version. “Supernanny” is produced by Shed Media.

This program carries a TV-PG parental guideline.

A HOT-TEMPERED FATHER OF FOUR FACES OFF WITH JO FROST

“Potter Family” – “This is my life, and it sucks,” admits father-of-four Chris Potter. Chris and his wife, Joy, have four children who they feel are very disrespectful. Joy says that Chris is too “old school” – yelling, scaring the kids, and being too strict and temperamental. Noah, 10, has a strained relationship with his father, who berates him as a brat when he’s angry, and the younger siblings also come under fire. Chris feels that Joy is undermining him by challenging his parenting style, which his own mother didn’t do with his dad when he was growing up. Jo Frost observes that Joy is inconsistent about discipline, but also that Chris could break Noah’s spirit if things don’t change. Joy sadly tells Jo that her marriage is on the line if she and Chris can’t get on the same page. Is it too late for this family to change for the better?

Nick Powell is the creator and executive producer of both the American and British versions of the show. Nick Emmerson and Stephanie Schwam are executive producers of the American version. “Supernanny” is produced by Shed Media.

This program carries a TV-PG parental guideline.

A FLORIDA MOM WITH THREE CHILDREN UNDER FIVE YEARS OF AGE IS JUST OVERWHELMED

“Colombo Family” – This Melbourne, Florida family of five is in utter disarray. Stay-at-home mom Danielle, 31, is overwhelmed by her misbehaving two boys, Carlo, 4, and J.J., 3, while still trying to do her best with one-year-old Julia. While husband Joe works long hours, Danielle has to deal with J.J., who hits, kicks, slaps and pinches, and with Carlo, who is a picky eater and has a scream that, as his mom says, “takes your breath away.” Ironically Danielle was a parenting educator before having children, but she doesn’t enforce her own house rules and has lost sight of her personal dreams in the chaos at home. When Jo arrives, Danielle throws her arms around her in enthusiastic welcome, but later the two women go head to head on a nap time issue. Can Jo help this family find peace?

Nick Powell is the creator and executive producer of both the American and British versions of the show. Nick Emmerson and Stephanie Schwam are executive producers of the American version. “Supernanny” is produced by Shed Media.

This program carries a TV-PG parental guideline.

JO FINDS MAJOR MAYHEM IN PHOENIX WHEN IT’S SIX KIDS VS TWO PARENTS

“Miller Family” – A pushover mom, an exasperated dad and their six undisciplined kids all contribute to the mayhem in the Miller home. Traveling to Phoenix, Arizona, Jo Frost must help this family on the brink: Meshell can’t say “No” and overindulges her children to make up for the extras she never had; David tries to instill some structure and respect, but he’s exhausted from long days at work and too often shows his temper; without clear boundaries and consequences, the kids are mostly out of control – whether it’s the youngest, Avarie (3), refusing to give up her bottle, or siblings Ainsley (5), Landon (7), Meryn (10) and Kendall (12) back-talking, fighting or leaving their clothes in a heap. The oldest Kesley (13) is increasingly troubled by her parents’ mixed signals. She’s considered responsible enough to babysit her younger sisters and brother overnight, but isn’t allowed to go to an afternoon movie with her friends. One quick look at the “chore board” mounted on the wall – it’s completely blank – lets Jo know of the work ahead of her.

Nick Powell is the creator and executive producer of both the American and British versions of the show. Nick Emmerson and Stephanie Schwam are executive producers of the American version. “Supernanny” is produced by Shed Media.

This program carries a TV-PG,L parental guideline.

THREE GENERATIONS OF CONFLICT UNDER ONE ROOF DESPERATELY NEED A “SUPERNANNY” INTERVENTION

“George Family”

This San Antonio family is bursting at the seams with kids, conflict and aggression. Stay-at-home mom Joey-Lynn and her husband, Glenn, have five spirited daughters and a granddaughter all living under the same roof, and the exhausted couple have abdicated discipline. Their oldest, Samantha, 20, had a child as a teenager – their granddaughter Krissy, now age 2. Joey-Lynn and Glenn had Samantha when they were teenagers themselves, and feel as if they have failed as parents since Samantha had a promising future that has been changed by her young motherhood. Samantha and her next-oldest sister, Brooke, 17, despise each other and curse at each other in front of the younger siblings — Savannah, 10, Hailey, 6, and Haidyn, 1+1/2 — who in turn act out with boundary-pushing and aggressive behavior. Mom defers all discipline to Dad, who simply yells and doesn’t follow through. Can Jo help this family defuse the anger?

Nick Powell is the creator and executive producer of both the American and British versions of the show. Nick Emmerson and Stephanie Schwam are executive producers of the American version. “Supernanny” is produced by Shed Media.

This program carries a TV-PG,D,L parental guideline.