SuperTV

Hi, my name is Shayna, and I'm the reality TV junkie.

A funny thing happened on the way to enduring another season of "The Bachelorette." I met "Supernanny." Based on the premise — modern Mary Poppins helps American parents get a handle on their bratty rug rats — I was not among the target audience. In fact, when all I could hear while brushing my teeth in the other room were screaming children I ran in and shut off the TV. I was prepared to do the same the following week when I heard it: that wonderful stern yet sweet and caring voice that has become as comforting to me as a spot of tea. And I was hooked. Jo Frost, a.k.a. "Supernanny," became my Monday night gal pal.

Reality redux

"Supernanny"
Mon., 10 p.m., ABC
Who would have thought I'd like this show, let alone be encouraging others to watch it? Sure, U.K. childcare phenom Jo Frost is essentially on air to provide parenting techniques to America's woebegone families. Doesn't sound so appealing, I know. But frankly, I'd tune in if Jo Frost were going to lecture on road paving for an hour. She's wonderful. Catchphrases like "That is not acceptable" (emphasis on the s sound where the hard c would normally be) and "Your behavior is very naughty!" may not be what kids want to hear, but viewers who have made this show a hit look forward to each utterance with relish. I'd always hoped I'd someday meet a real "Mrs. Doubtfire" who would come to my home and make everything OK. Now I've got "Supernanny," at least for an hour a week.

"America's Next Top Model"
Wed., 8 p.m., UPN
This fourth edition from Tyra Banks looks less like a model search and more like a ragamuffin romp. There was something amateurish about the way Banks and her cronies narrowed the field from 25 to 14 on the first episode. As hopeful after awkward hopeful emerged, I half-expected to hear "The Gong Show" theme song and Chuck Barris wielding a giant hook to drag the worst of the lot off the screen.

I know I'm being harsh, but let's face it: The competition has lost some credibility now that three previous winners have failed to make a dent in the modeling world, in spite of all of the training and molding from Banks and her team of industry experts. One downfall may be that Banks rules with her heart and not her head. Increasingly, contestants seem to be chosen based more on their personal sob stories than on their potential to grace a catwalk or magazine cover. In the words of one finalist: "I went from 'America's Most Wanted' to 'America's [Next] Top Model!'" Case closed.

"Survivor: Palau"
Thu., 8 p.m., CBS
For those of you keeping score at home, thanks to cute nerdy dolphin-training boy Ian, I'm alive and well in the "Second Ever Jay Demopoulos Survivor Pool." He may be skinny and he may wear those geeky glasses and make those goofy faces, but Ian's got guts, baby. In a single episode, my fair-haired survivor went shark hunting, hacked off the head of a poisonous snake (though, as an animal lover he did admit to feeling bad about it), and held his own in a grueling physical challenge against guys twice his size. Pretty impressive! Which is more than I can say for Jeff, an Abercrombie & Fitch poster boy who inflamed an old ankle injury by stepping on a coconut on the way to the "little boys' room" in the middle of the night. Yeah, I stepped on a coconut and hurt my ankle. Likely story.

The season does seem to be hitting its stride. There are a couple of real weirdos in the game keeping things interesting. And there's some real eye candy, too. Seriously, can you say "Bobby Jon"? I do wish someone would force Angie, the tattooed bartender from New Orleans, to put some damn clothes on. Even after her tribe won a sewing kit in the awards challenge she was traipsing around in that lacy red demi-bra and barely there black underwear. Yikes.

The finales

"The Bachelorette"
ABC
What can I say that hasn't already been said? After all, what's done is done. Jen didn't want Ryan. She didn't want John Paul. She didn't even want hunky Jerry. So why not look to the future and take action based on what we've learned? No need to be so hard on little Miss Jen. It's not like she had 100 guys to choose from. There were only 25 (actually 24, since the jury's still out on Fabrice). Which brings me to my plan: Bring on another 25 men. That's right. And if Jen can't find Mr. Right in that batch, bring on another. Keep cycling those guys in every six weeks. One's bound to stick eventually. Of course, the show's name probably should change. Perhaps something like "Who wants to get shot down by Jen Schefft?" or, after a few more seasons, "The Old Maid." Think I should pitch it to ABC?

"Project Runway"
Bravo
On the count of three, let's say it all together: "Yay for Jay!" Given runner-up Kara Saun's tremendous talent, I would have been pleased to see her named the winner of this inaugural designer search, but there was something truly satisfying about seeing an innovator like Jay get recognized. Even in challenges that took him way outside his comfort zone, the 29-year-old Pennsylvania native never strayed too far from his avant-garde style and innate fashion sense; his winning collection was loaded with color and whimsy and intricate detailing. And when the pressure was on for the judges — model Heidi Klum, designer Michael Kors, Elle magazine fashion director Nina Garcia and actress Parker Posey — to make a decision, they didn't make the easy, or expected, choice. Bravo!

Write to the Reality TV Junkie at tvjunkie@latimes.com.