'Supernanny’ casting call in Scottsdale lacks families

Could it be that Scottsdale residents are finally too embarrassed to appear on reality TV? "Supernanny" casting producer John Magennis said Sunday's two-hour casting call at Stagebrush Theatre was the lightest he's ever seen - only six families over two hours.

"When I was in Manchester, N.H., almost two weeks ago we had almost 70 families show," Magennis said.

"Some people are just embarrassed to show up, or they feel there might be a line of 1,000 and can't wait in that line,"he said. "It's just the nature of the show. People enjoy watching it but don't necessarily want to be the educational example or on camera.

"They never want to be the ones broadcast on national television."

And yet, Magennis said, Arizona is one of top 10 states for people who call in wanting to appear on the program, which airs 8 p.m. Wednesday.

"This is a prime example of a market that might feel like, 'I need the help, but I'm a bit nervous to go and ask for it,'" he said.

He suggested such parents apply online at supernanny.com or by calling (877) 626-6984.

A family from Maricopa appeared on the fourth and current season of the program, which stars British tough-love nanny Jo Frost.

The casting producer said he never knows what the turnout will be.

"We've had casting calls at Disney World before where you might only get 20 families, and you would expect at a place like that that you would get hundreds."

Of the families who showed up Sunday, Magennis said two stick out.

"A couple were trying to get their kids into the entertainment business and in my opinion, the kids were acting out because they're being pressured to be in that business," he said.

The other family had a son with horrible sportsmanship, Magennis said: "If he struck out, he'd throw the bat and scream."

"That's an interesting issue that I think parents can relate to,"he said. "They want their kids to be good sportsmen and out in public their behavior is disturbing, so they want to get that under control. That's a unique thing that we've never done on the show.

"Out of the handful of families that came today, that's the one that could actually make it."