Two more midseason replacements roll out this week. One is about the devil, the other about devilish children. So, which is the lesser of two evils?
'Supernanny'
Monday at 10 p.m. on ABC
The tagline you'll never see: "Also an effective form of birth control!"
The basics: Stout and stern nanny Jo Frost, who hosts "Supernanny" in Britain, crosses the pond to bring relief to clueless American parents and their bratty children. In these hour-long episodes, we get a glimpse of families in action -- and it ain't pretty.
In a future episode (the premiere wasn't available for advance viewing), we meet Shawn and Tammy Orm of Southern California, who battle daily (and we mean that literally) with their trio of tots who handily display hitting and biting techniques and engage deftly in the art of talking back. After seemingly endless segments that focus on their shenanigans, Frost gives her brutally honest opinion to mom and dad about their parenting skills -- and it ain't pretty either. Frost puts a new plan into action and, by episode's end, those little devils have been transformed into perfect angels. Of course.
The lowdown: Fox beat ABC to the punch with its own nanny reality show, "Nanny 911," which debuted in November. But that show's lack of buzz and so-so ratings don't seem to faze ABC. The alphabet network is sliding its Mary Poppins entry into its reality-based Monday night lineup, which boasts the ratings-grabber "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" and "The Bachelorette."
Reality check: Squeamish around wee ones? Then stay far away from "Supernanny," which has loads of graphic depictions of children behaving badly. Parents actually may pick up some pointers from the likable and learned Frost (though she does give one too many snooty looks into the camera while observing the mayhem unfolding around her). The show also might provide some relief to weary moms and dads who watch and think, "Well, at least my kids aren't that bad."
'Point Pleasant'
Preview Wednesday at 9 p.m.; regular time slot Thursday at 9 p.m. on Fox
The tagline you'll never see: "Something wicked this way comes . . . and she's hot!"
The basics: Christina Nickson (Elisabeth Harnois) is the new girl in the ocean town of Point Pleasant, N.J. On the surface, she's your typical teenager -- crazy about the beach, crazier about the boys and not immune to severe jealousy fits. But Christina has one seriously whacked family tree that she isn't totally clued in about: Dear old Dad is Satan himself and mortal Mom is MIA.
After a dramatic and mysterious arrival in Point Pleasant -- she is rescued at sea during a freak storm -- Christina, inadvertently or not, begins to stir things up in the sleepy community. She comes between studly lifeguard Jesse (super hunky Sam Page) and his possessive girlfriend Paula (Cameron Richardson), pits best friends against each other and even gets the seemingly pious town elders to do some bad things. While this is going on, the Princess of Darkness seeks the truth about her past.
The lowdown: This drama about the devil's spawn looks an awful lot like Fox's hit "The O.C." -- good-looking teenagers with too much money cavort in skimpy bathing suits in a sun-drenched beach community. And just like "The O.C.," the lead character is taken in by a caring family where she becomes fast friends with their reclusive daughter. (Maybe Fox should have called it "The P.P." Or, um, maybe not.)
Fox isn't showing much faith in "Point Pleasant," sticking it in the competitive Thursday 9 p.m. time slot against TV's top-rated "CSI" and round three of the Donald Trump series "The Apprentice." Let's face it, the devil is no match for the Donald.
Reality check: Although there are more than a few "Carrie"-inspired scares throughout the premiere, "Point Pleasant" is essentially a run-of-the-mill teenage drama disguised as a show about the supernatural. Lovers of the paranormal who are hoping for a full hour of creepiness will be disappointed -- along with anyone older than 30. But fans still pining for "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," which shares a producer with this show, just might find it pleasant in "Point Pleasant."
