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Note: Do not change the previous episode back to its original name due to the request from the family.


If you want to see The Cooke Family Revisit see here

The Cooke Family is the fifth episode of Series 2 of the British Supernanny show. It was remade and re-released as the fifth episode of Season 2 of the American Supernanny show. The family lives in Bishop's Stortford, a town in Hertfordshire.

Synopsis[]

"Supernanny needs to draw on all of her 16 years experience of nannying when she meets Paul and Denise Cooke and their three daughters: four-year-old Erin, six-year-old Gabriella, and nine-year-old Meghann.

All the girls are very bright and creative, but their arguments with their parents regularly turn into shouting matches. Meghann's relationship with her mum is very stressful and the family hardly ever go out in public together for fear of an embarrassing scene.

Supernanny adapts her tried-and-tested techniques to fit the Cookes' problems, with the renowned naughty step replaced by a bigger reflection room for all the girls, and attempts to improve the mood and reward good behaviour.

Does Supernanny have what it takes to quell Meghann's explosive temper or has she finally met her match? And how will Mum and Dad cope when Supernanny leaves to see if they can use her new techniques on their own?" - Channel 4 website

Plot[]

Submission Reel[]

The episode begins with the introduction of Paul and Denise Cooke and their three daughters. Paul works as a fireman, whilst Denise works as a part time admin, as well as raising the girls. Looking after three willful girls is hard enough but things are much tougher with the ringleader of the trio, Meghann.

Denise describes Meghann as a strong character. Meghann has the biggest issue with anger. She can be incredibly rude, bossy, and can shout. Denise feels she’s treading on eggshells with Meghann as she doesn’t know what sets her eldest daughter off. Despite how much work Meghann is, Denise loves her unconditionally. Meghann is seen telling her mum, she wants to sit at the end where her sister is sitting and Denise telling her to sit down. When Denise asks Meghann what wants to drink, Meghann orders “I told you Coke!” On the walk to school, when Meghann and Denise are arguing about Meghann feeling her mum is hurting her, Meghann shouts “You are, you don’t know because you’re not me! Well you are!” Meghann scratches her mum and her mum telling her off for it.

Paul describes Denise’s approach when it comes to dealing with the girls is “a lot of counter argument and consequently there’s a slanging match that goes on”. Denise says that she and Meghann do shout at each other. The two are also shown to be loggerheads over homework, and they express their concerns that Gabriella and Erin are copying Meghann’s behavior. Denise states that the two are behaving just as badly.

Gabriella is seen punching Meghan in the arm with Denise having to address it. Gabriella is seen punching and Meghann slapping each other in the living room. In the kitchen Erin is seen hitting Gabriella. On the walk to school, Gabriella is seen running at Meghann to slap her and Meghann slaps her back making Gabriella cry. When Erin and Gabriella are shouting at each other and Denise breaks it up, Gabriella shouts “I DON’T LIKE THAT!” Denise admits the girls fight because they all want the control. It is a vicious circle, one starts and then the other starts and it gets to the points where things get out of hand, as we're shown all three of the girls in another school run with Gabriella and Erin hitting Meghann and vice versa and demands Erin to get back in the buggy. Denise tries to break the fight up.

The Cookes hardly go out together as a family of 5. Paul says when he takes the kids swimming or other activities, such as the cinema, Denise would rather stay home. Denise says she doesn’t want to join because she is scared of repercussions and how things are going to pan out. Paul is seen spending time with the girls at an indoor swimming pool. Meanwhile on one of the school runs, Meghann is swinging with a swinging toy. She isn’t near anyone but it doesn’t stop Denise from yelling at Meghann for it. Meghann yells back saying “That’s what you do with it!” Denise grabs Meghann and demands her to give it back to her. Denise feels overwhelmed and a failure as a parent. She has gotten to the point where she wants to be home and not care what the girls do.

Denise is seen telling Meghann to something that Meghann is already doing, causing Meghann to shout at her. Denise admits “I need Supernanny now. I need a miracle.”

Observation[]

Jo arrives at the Cooke house and meets Denise and her three girls. It’s time for the dreaded walk to school. It isn’t long before Meghann and Denise get into an argument over a mobile phone. Meghann is in the middle of texting a message and Denise wants her phone back. Meghann tells her mum she will give to her when she’s done. Denise goes over the grab the phone and when she grabs ahold of Meghann and her phone, Meghann bites her mum’s hand. This escalated into a heated fight. While crossing the road, Erin ends up in the middle of the street when a car was about to hit her. Denise orders her to cross, making her cross back, leaving the older girls alone. Gabriella goes after Meghann slapping her as they run away.

Later Paul comes home from work to a stressed out Denise after the girls have been misbehaving since they got home from school. It is tea time (dinner) and the girls especially Gabriella are ordering where they want to sit and what they want on their plates. Jo asks Paul and Denise about how they deal with the girls. The parents tell Jo they have different tolerance levels towards their girls' behavior and discipline. Paul says his tolerance is long while “Denise’s tolerance tends to be more variable.” According to Paul, he is three strikes you’re out and he follows through with the third strike, while Denise doesn’t carry a warning though. Denise says she’s tired and worn out after dealing with the girls all day. She feels Paul doesn’t understand the logistics of three children on a daily basis. Paul says every time, they try to discuss it, it ends up being heated. Denise says she gets defensive and she feels like a failure. Paul tries to reassure her that she did the best she could as a mom but Denise breaks down asking “Why do they walk all over me they way that they do?”

The girls have a surprise for Jo. The girls love putting on a show. The play is going well but then there is a problem. Meghann is getting angry and frustrated with Gabriella because she shouted out. The parents tell Meghann the show is over much to Meghann's ire and she storms out. Upstairs in the Meghann's bedroom, Denise and Meghann are arguing over what happened during the play and how they should speak to each other. Jo notices immediately that Meghann takes after her mom as they both have tempers that spiral out of control. Back in the living room, Denise breaks down in tears about the fact that she no longer wants Meghann to be so out of control. She is desperate to have a closer relationship with her. Jo declares that she will change this for Meghann and Denise.

Parent Meeting[]

Jo tells Paul and Denise that they should be proud that their girls are creative, highly intelligent, strong willed, beautiful girls. However Jo questions the respect the girls have due to the fact that they have no respect for their parents. Denise agrees. Jo then goes on to talk about Meghann in particular and the fact that Denise takes Meghann's biting, pulling and slapping "like a punch bag in a boxing ring". Jo also tells Denise that when she argues with Meghann, it is like looking at herself in a mirror because Meghann takes after her mother's personality. To Jo watching Meghann and Denise argue is like looking at "two kids because neither lets go" and they both fight for the last word. Additionally Jo asks both of the parents of they set a clear good example when they tell their kids to stop shouting, when they are shouting themselves. Jo declares that there is no discipline and boundaries and Paul and Denise are not working together. Though Denise has admitted previously that she walks on eggshells with Meghann sometimes, Jo especially points out that Paul treads on eggshells on Denise as he seems to be too scared to tell Denise what really is on his mind. Paul admits that Jo is correct about this because every time he voices his opinion, Denise would "have an outburst reaction". Jo makes it clear that Paul and Denise need to support each other. Denise admits that everything Jo has said is true. She understands where Jo is coming from especially with the hypocrisy in this family. At end of the meeting, Paul has stated that everything Jo has said was "spot on".

Teaching[]

Jo brings some household rules. Jo also introduces to the Reflection Room for all three of the girls when they misbehave. All the kids respond well to the rules. It goes down hill though when the "Princess Reward Chart" to encourage good behavior is introduced. The princesses are the girls and the goal it to reach the castle to be able to get an experience as a reward. While Gabriella and Erin are excited about this, Meghann hates the chart because it is sissy stuff. Since Meghann is in the kitchen when she said this, Jo tells her to come in the living room if she has something to say. In retaliation, Meghann rips the crown off her head and throws it out. Paul comes in to tell Meghann to get her picture out of the trash can. Normally Meghann gets away with this, but Jo instructs Paul to give her a warning. Meghann sarcastically tells her father "big deal" and off she goes to the Reflection Room. While Meghann stays in the room, Jo talks to Paul about the rest of the steps and what Meghann's apology should be like. Meghann's time is over and Paul comes to talk to Meghann about why she's in the room and before she gets her picture out of the bin, she must apologize. At first Meghann mumbles to Paul about wanting to tell her mom. When Jo talks to Paul about telling Meghann to give him an apology, Meghann mutters to Jo "Well my friend thinks you're a b**** and I agree with her." Paul tells Meghann that her behavior she showed was really unacceptable and he wants an apology. Meghann gives an upset sorry. Paul orders Meghann for a heartfelt sorry. Jo tells Paul to show her how to do it which is to look at him and say it. Meghann says she did “mean it because I do so!” and in her rage she lunges at Jo because she is annoyed by her. Paul pulls away and addresses the behavior. Jo continues to assist Paul on how to make Meghann apologize properly. Meghann says she doesn't know. Then Jo tells Paul to make her sit there longer until she's ready to apologize properly. Meghann attacks Jo by scratching and slapping her arm. Jo ignores her because she wants to demonstrate to Paul about Meghann's temper. As Jo and Paul leave the room, Meghann tells Jo again "My friend thinks you're a b****, and so do I!" Instead of waiting 30-40 seconds before going back, Meghann gets another 9 minutes for lashing out at Jo. Denise meanwhile questions if Meghann is going to be in there all night. After another 9 minutes of reflection time is over, Paul and Jo go back in again to make Meghann apologize properly. Meghann yet again comes at Jo to slap, scratch, bite and then demands her to "Get lost!" Not long after, Paul and Jo leave Meghann again. Jo admits she took the brunt of Meghann's anger because this is her first time teaching how to deal with an outburst like that with Paul and Denise and she feels that she should ignore it. However Jo declares she will send Meghann to the Reflection Room herself if she pulls those moves on her again. Meanwhile the whole situation is too much for Denise and she takes refuge in the bathroom. Denise tells Jo that seeing Meghann lash out at Jo was hard to watch. Jo asks why she thinks that is. Denise believes that Meghann behaved this way because she feels Jo is taking control away from her. Jo explains to Denise that she is helping her and Paul lay down the law and to nothing will be resolved with two people who explode. Paul isn't backing down. After an hour of him going back and forth trying to get a proper apology, Meghann finally gives a proper apology.

Over the next few days aren't easy for Meghann who spends more time in the Reflection Room than anywhere else in the house. By day 3, Meghann responds more calmly to the Reflection room. The girls are playing outside, before hell breaks loose. Meghann slaps Gabriella in the arm. When Denise talks to her about "pinching" her sister, Meghann honesty admits that she didn't pinch Gabriella, she hit her. Meghann goes into the Reflection Room and apologizes to Denise calmly. While Meghann is learning to deal with the new rules, her ongoing battle with Jo is still raging. In the kitchen, Meghann tells her mom that Jo thought she was telling a lie when she was in the Reflection room earlier. When Meghann pokes at Jo, Jo firmly tells Meghann that she doesn't like her behavior and it is unacceptable. Meghann says one of her most iconic lines on the show "unacceptable not unasseptable". Jo warns her that if she pulls any aggression on her then she will go back into the Reflection Room. Denise backs Jo up as she addresses Meghann's attitude. Meghann runs to grab a purse and drops it down before she runs back to the Reflection Room and slams the door. Later that night, Meghann keeps rebelling against Jo and shouting "It's your fault Jo". Meghann can't understand that her parents are behind the changes. She cries in her bedroom because she feels Jo isn't making her family happier and she also tells Jo she is "being a stupid b****". Paul decides to talk to her about the changes in the house and tucks her to bed.

After a few rough days, things finally start come together in the teaching process. Jo decides to work on communication. She introduces Meghann the Thought Box. The Thought Box is there to help Meghann build communication by writing down how she feels. Meghann is delighted with idea. She begins to write down her thoughts on a notepad and puts it into the box. Afterwards, Jo has a bonding idea for Meghann and Denise. She suggests that the pair of them go ice skating much to their surprise and delight. Denise admits that it is lovely to see Meghann so happy. So off they go to the ice rink. Denise and Meghann have a ball as they laugh together. Meghann says that she had "loads of fun. Loads and loads and loads." Later that afternoon, Jo discusses with the family about the kids taking responsibility. If they do the tasks very well, would be an opportunity to have a move up the reward chart. Jo believes the Rabbit Cage would be a great chore to start with. The girls get with it and they really well with a few prompts. As promised, the girls get move up on the board. At the end of the day, Meghann writes in her Thought Box to thank her mom for taking her ice skating. Denise finds the note very special and thanks Meghann for having a lovely day. Jo loves the ambience in the household that very moment because is very calm. Teaching is finally over and Jo says goodbye to the family. The parents feel confident, especially Denise says " I know I'm going to be tested, but I'm quite confident I'm not going the get in the same situation as I have in the past. I do know now I'm going to be tested and I'm ready to be tested."

Family Test Run[]

Sure enough, the day after Jo leaves the testing begins. Meghann wastes no time, testing her parents to see if they will stick to the techniques. Meghann is getting frustrated with her sisters during their play rehearsal. When Denise intervenes and confronts Meghann, she doesn't give up without an argument. Denise warns if she shouts again, she will be in the Reflection Room. After she hurts Gabriella and mocks her, Paul takes over the disciplines and sends Meghann to the Reflection Room. On her way to the room she hurts Gabriella again. Paul says her picture will be coming down on the chart as well, which Meghann is fine with. Later that night the parents don't rise to a debate, but Meghann still isn't backing down without a fight. When she told to do things at bedtime, Meghann went from talking back to pitching a fit. Paul deals with Meghann and sticks to his guns, while Meghann kicks the cameramen out of her room. Meanwhile Denise is downstairs saying to herself "Keep calm and they will be calm."

Denise's resort to stay calm doesn't last for long. By the middle of the week all three of the kids are testing their mom's patience. Denise is seen yelling at Meghann and Erin is seen throwing a fit in the Reflection Room. Meanwhile Gabriella is seen running rings around Denise in the living room. Since Erin is in the Reflection Room and Gabriella is playing up, Denise decides to put Gabriella on the Naughty Chair demanding to sit there without being silly. Gabriella is still laughing and Denise decides to take away the privilege of having friends over for a whole week. Gabriella says "Well I don't care 'cause I hate my friends." Denise is fine with this as she walks away. While Gabriella is laughing at Denise, Denise is the kitchen still fuming. Denise admits that she's at the end of her tether. She feels she is going around in circles again and her kids are laughing at her.

By the end of the week, Denise is really struggling. The girls are all arguing in Meghann's bedroom during another one of their shows. Meghann is frustrated that Erin ruined their act and she slaps her. As Denise takes her out of her room to go down to the Reflection Room, she bites her. Denise yells at Meghann that she will be doing her time for 18 minutes, which Meghann doesn't care. Things begin to unravel. Denise has totally lost control and it has lead to several shouting matches in the living room and in the Reflection Room itself. Denise even turns to the reward chart as she has forgotten what Jo had taught her about remaining calm when dealing with Meghann. Jo is due back and is not impressed.

Parent Evaluation[]

Jo goes over the footage with Paul and Denise starting with how Paul handled one of Meghann's rages. Paul is seen sending Meghann straight to her room and coming to talk to her. Jo discusses how the anger has elevated but is impressed on how Paul knuckled down remaining firm but calm with Meghann.

The next clip shows a clip about Denise's hot headed approach when speaking to Meghann. Denise is seen going to take the girls to the fire station and she demands Meghann get in the car. Once Meghann gets in, she and her mom argue once again. Jo points out about the tone of voices between them. Denise notices that Meghann was using the same tone as she was using with her. Jo explains children learn how to communicate with their parents based on how their parents communicate with them. How the parents talk to the kids is how the kids will talk to their parents. Denise explains Meghann has said something like that to her on occasion "Well you shout at me, why shouldn't I shout at you?"

The final two clips exhibit Denise's inability to remain consistent in the discipline. The third clip is about Meghann being sent to the reflection room for 18 minutes. Denise explains that Meghann bit her on the way down the stairs and she hit Erin upstairs. Jo explains that the Reflection Room has one time. Meghann only has 9 minutes, Gabriella has 6 minutes and Erin has 4 minutes. If the kids come out and do something else, back in the room for the same time. Otherwise they will feel they are serving life so they might as well do everything.

The last clip is another one of Denise disciplining the girls. This time sending Gabriella to the Naughty Chair and taking away the privilege of having friends over. Jo explains about the fact Gabriella winding Denise up and then Denise stepping further in because she lost control. Furthermore, Jo states that Gabriella didn't deserve the punishment of having no friends over because she didn't say anything when she was on the chair. The biggest take when they look at the clips, is that how one thing leads another and how the kids feed off the parents losing control of the situation, and the impact of it.

Reinforcement[]

Jo spends the last two days reinforcing the techniques. In the beginning of Reinforcement, Meghann is seen hanging with Jo and her mom in the yard while the other girls are jumping on the trampoline.

However Meghann is up to her mischievous tricks again. She sneaks up to the trampoline and she hits Gabriella with the jump rope. While Paul tends to Gabriella, Denise deals with Meghann who goes into the Reflection without any issue. After a peaceful 9 minutes, before Denise comes to talk to her about it, Meghann apologizes to Denise. After school the next day, on the walk home, Meghann tests the limits one more time, but Denise nips it straight in the bud. Then they continue walking, Meghann turns it around and all three girls behaved themselves the rest of the way home. When they reach the house, since Meghann slapped her sisters earlier on the walk, Denise sticks to her word, which is straight into the Reflection Room. Meghann who goes in again without any fuss. Denise is happy of how the walk to school and home is turning out because it isn't as chaotic as it used to be. When Meghann's time is up, she happily apologizes to Denise.

Things are even more relaxed than before. The more calm atmosphere affects the family, especially Meghann. Jo and Meghann find a gap and they have a chat in her bedroom while they do their nails. Meghann talks about her how her cousin has her manicure set and she does her nails. Jo suggests that that could be one of the things she can do with her mom by going to a nail salon one Saturday and get her nails done. Meghann is delighted with the idea. Then they talk about how Meghann and her mom are in their relationship now compared to weeks before. Jo has explained in the beginning that Meghann felt threatened by her presence but overtime Meghann has engages her. She shows Jo what she has achieved. It goes to show that children need guidelines and boundaries and they respect you for it.

Before Jo goes, the girls have a final performance for Jo. Before the curtains pull up, Denise give expectations for them. Then the show begins. It is the best performance the girls ever pulled. The routines are fantastic and the adults are very impressed. Jo tucks the kids to bed farewell and says goodbye to Paul and Denise.

Family Update[]

Denise is seen going out with Paul and the girls all together as a family to a parade and a carnival. Paul says he and Denise are in better control of the girls. Denise says she and Meghann are much closer and she would hug her for no apparent reason. The parents say they enjoyed the event and the kids are having a great time.

Family[]

Person Age Relation to Family
Paul Cooke 44 (born 1961) Father
Denise Cooke Mother
Meghann Helaina Cooke 9 (born May 10, 1996) Daughter
Gabriella Cooke 6 (born September 24, 1998)
Erin-Grace Cooke 4 (born March 26, 2001)
The child was disciplined via one of Jo Frost's techniques.
The child was disciplined via one of Jo Frost's techniques, but it was also done in a way that she did not approve of (during the Family Test Run).
The child was disciplined but not via one of Jo Frost's techniques. (she may or may not have approved of any of the methods)

Version Differences[]

Some parts were shortened or cut in the American version because of time constraints. However, the Family Test Run scenes that were from the original version ended up in the DVD meeting albeit in edited form. Meghann's and Denise's Reflection Room shouting match was cut In the US version.


Events Post-Episode[]

  • Meghann gave birth to a baby boy named Ruari on April 2, 2018.
  • Paul & Denise divorced when their daughters became adults. However, both parents are still involved in their 3 daughters' lives as well as their grandson's life.
  • Denise was diagnosed with breast cancer, but has since recovered.
  • Meghann started a TikTok account and posted a lot of videos about her time on Supernanny

Gallery[]

Behind the Scenes[]

During the 100th Episode Special, The American Version of this episode was filmed in July 2005.

*The original UK airing was filmed in May-June 2005

Trivia[]

  • This episode was one of the first instances of a child attacking the cameraman, in this case, Meghann. This would happen again In The McKinney Family with Kaiden trying to punch the camera in the submission tape/reel.
  • Meghann is heavily hated by fans due to her being massively aggressive. However, in the revisit, she started to be liked a bit by fans, now that her behaviour had changed.
  • Meghann's name is commonly misspelt as Megan or Meghan.
  • This, The Bradbury-Lambert Family, and The Porter Family, are the only UK episodes available to watch on YouTube.
  • Meghann, Gabriella and Denise are all on Famous Birthdays.
  • In the UK premiere One Way or Another by Blondie is playing during the Cooke Family Introduction

External Links[]

Season 2
The Minyon FamilyThe Webb FamilyThe McMillion FamilyThe Larmer FamilyThe Cooke FamilyThe Amaral FamilyThe Facente FamilyThe Keilen FamilyThe Bradbury-Lambert FamilyThe Tsironis FamilyThe Carsley FamilyThe Schwartz FamilyThe Silva FamilyThe Young FamilyThe Harmony FamilyThe Wujcik FamilyThe Jackson FamilyThe Newton FamilyThe Uva Family
Series 2
The Collins FamilyThe Hemingway-Clegg FamilyThe Pandit FamilyThe D FamilyThe Cooke FamilyThe Seniors FamilyThe Bradbury-Lambert FamilyThe A FamilyThe Young FamilyThe Ball FamilyThe Bixley FamilyThe Woods Family Return
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