Teen Angels

[Anonymous]

I haven't seen this show but, unlike Brat Camp, this one seems to focus on the parents.  It may be voyeuristic (that's what "reality" TV is all about) but it is a step in the right direction.  Anybody watch it?

Perhaps ABC will copy the format like they did with Brat Camp and make an American version.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/05/arts/ ... 5roun.html

Raising the Stakes for Domestic Histrionics
NED MARTEL
Published: October 5, 2005
Teen Angels

BBC America, tonight at 10, Eastern time; 9, Central time; and 7, Pacific time

"Teen Angels" is the latest advance in the home-makover genre, as two London-based psychologists use mood-altering tools on shrill British households. Already "Wife Swap," "Supernanny," "Brat Camp" and the like have listened in on domestic histrionics, and this show raises the stakes with scarier conversations between parents and the kids who are now old enough to present physical challenges to their authority.
 
In the Gibson household, for example, 15-year-old twins cannot stop assaulting their mother, albeit with harsh language rather than their fists. The brothers drop a blitzkrieg of it on the working mom, who manages parenthood and a nursing career while her truck-driving husband keeps a long distance from the mayhem.

The counselors, Tanya Byron and Stephen Briers, arrive and catalog the ways that the boys tyrannize their parents, from whom they extract many privileges, including unpunished truancy and expensive video-game gadgetry. Glynis Gibson wearily explains that no penalty has successfully curbed her sons: "We try keeping them in, and they jump out the windows." Then, when decreeing an end to free-rein cigarette smoking, she fails to put out the butt in her own hand. Slowly, it becomes obvious that her husband, Rob, undermines her authority by sending signals that some of the boys' insults against their mum are well targeted. The doctors call him on it and even coach him, like Cyrano-style clinicians, in how to talk to his sons in calming ways.

The series, like many peeks into messy houses, needs to be viewed only once to prove it's another of many voyeuristic avenues assuring viewers that their own lives are tidier. And after viewing several episodes, the tut-tutting of the advice can be as wearying as the children's whining.

But one thing consistently revealed seems worth broadcasting: the hostility that these kids express is usually rooted in hurt. In the Gibson boys' case, they slowly admit to mourning an orderly life they once enjoyed, when their grandparents were still alive and their parents kept more regular work schedules. NED MARTEL

Teen Angels

BBC America, tonight at 10, Eastern time; 9, Central time; and 7, Pacific time.

Directed and produced by Ruth Whippman; Reem Nouss, executive producer; Sacha Baveystock, series producer; Clive Adcock and Judith Robson, editor; Daniel Bays, assistant producer; Ralf Little, narrator.

WITH: Dr. Tanya Byron and Dr. Stephen Briers.

[Anonymous]

Why do people want their therapy sessions broadcast on TV? What kind of psychos sign up for this shit.

[OverLordd]

Another violation of privacy by the wonderful world for TV... ugh.

[Anonymous]

***But one thing consistently revealed seems worth broadcasting: the hostility that these kids express is usually rooted in hurt. In the Gibson boys' case, they slowly admit to mourning an orderly life they once enjoyed, when their grandparents were still alive and their parents kept more regular work schedules. ***

And there we go. So now that the underlying distress has been revealed, they can move in the direction of creating a more desireable home life with their kids. Or not... of course. But the blame can't be placed on the teens. Their needs, which seem reasonable, aren't being met. Let's hope these parents are brainstorming how to recreate what they had before.
While voyeristic, it's can be effective and useful by demonstrating that families can be helped while remaining together. I personally think it's a far cry better the the 'warehouse the teen' approach, even if the 'counseling' is less than perfect.

[Anonymous]

Okay okay okay okay, I can't resist, so pelt me...


...where's Captain Caveman?

[Antigen]

On 2005-10-08 14:01:00, Anonymous wrote:

Their needs, which seem reasonable, aren't being met. Let's hope these parents are brainstorming how to recreate what they had before.
While voyeristic, it's can be effective and useful by demonstrating that families can be helped while remaining together. I personally think it's a far cry better the the 'warehouse the teen' approach, even if the 'counseling' is less than perfect.

I think most of us are. Yeah, that voyeristic pleasure just can't be beat! Like when my grown daughter takes her little sisters to the movies. That's something I never had; the cult stole 5 older brothers and sisters from me. Or when one of the kids takes up a study in my favorite old family recipes.

The way I see it, if my kids can take on most of the good and improve on the rest, I win!

Less than perfect? Well, 6 billion people, while often wrong, are strong evidence that this is about as good as it gets.

I didn't intend for this to take on a political tone, I'm just here for the drugs.
--First Lady, Nancy Reagan at a Just Say No rally

[Anonymous]

On 2005-10-08 12:46:00, OverLordd wrote:

"Another violation of privacy by the wonderful world for TV... ugh."

Its not a violation if its agreed to by both parties. If you dont like it, dont watch it. If people didnt tune in,  this stuff wouldnt be on.

[Anonymous]

"And there we go. So now that the underlying distress has been revealed, they can move in the direction of creating a more desireable home life with their kids. Or not... of course. But the blame can't be placed on the teens. Their needs, which seem reasonable, aren't being met. Let's hope these parents are brainstorming how to recreate what they had before."

It isn't a metter of placing blame on the teens, but think about this: if they don't get a sense that they are the ones responsible for their actions, how will they ever be the ones to control them? I think it's pretty clear they're going to run into all kinds of situations in which their needs--reasonable or not--are not met. They're going to need something more than verbal violence in their arsenal. So sure, don't "blame" them, but by all means, allow them their accountability.