The Gorbea Family is the seventh episode of Season 1 of the American Supernanny show.
In addition to this episode, the Gorbea Family members also appeared on the Season 1 Family Update Special, as the primary family Jo was revisiting.
Episode summary
See also: The Gorbea Family/Transcript
Jo meets the Gorbeas: Robert, a service technician and Evelina, who works at the same phone company as Robert, have two well-behaved older children, Demetrius and Meya. The older children are missing out because of their demanding two-year old brother, Adam, who clings to his mother like a koala bear.
Robert lets Evelina do all the housework and is happy to stay on the sidelines. Meanwhile, Evelina seems torn between keeping Adam as her little baby and wanting freedom from the toddler's tyrannical ways.
Can Jo help the Gorbeas even out the responsibilities at home, let little Adam grow up, and give Meya and Demetrius the peace and attention they deserve?
Recap
Observation
When Jo arrives at the Gorbea house, Adam and his siblings Demetrius and Meya are playing a board game. It does not take long for Adam to have a tantrum and cling to Evelina's leg. She attempts to get away, but a screeching Adam chases her around the house until she gives in and lets him cling to her. Adam is then seen watching Disney's Parachute Express Music Video from A Goofy Movie VHS on the TV Until Evelina turns it off, resulting in yet another tantrum.
At lunchtime, Jo speaks to the two older children. Meya tells Jo that they never get to spend quality time with Evelina because of Adam, and Demetrius tells her that he wishes they could go on a vacation without him. Robert eventually gets home from work, and begins what he calls "Transition Time", where he will just sit on his chair and do nothing for 15 minutes. He puts on his slippers and sits down on the couch to watch TV, leaving Evelina to deal with the kids and housework. Evelina eventually hands a screeching Adam over to Robert. Robert gives up when Adam pinches him. Adam has yet another tantrum at bedtime because he doesn't want to sleep in his Crib so Evelina lets him watch A Goofy Movie again until he decides to go to sleep past ten.
Parents meeting
At the parents meeting, Jo confronts Evelina about Adam's clinginess and Robert about his laziness.
Teaching
Jo brings in the family schedule, which includes time for chores and with the children for Robert. Robert does not look pleased.
Jo introduces the Off-The-Hip Technique, which does not go over well with Adam. During the Technique, The Naughty Chair Was Seen as a Cameo Before Only Practicing in the Later Part of the Episode. After 45 minutes, Adam calms down and receives a hug. Robert compares the technique to an exorcism. When Robert puts white tape over Dad chores on the routine, Jo punishes him by making him do the grocery shopping with Adam. Jo introduces the Involvement Technique to Robert, Where Adam Behaves, Robert ends up getting Him a Lollipop as a Reward. Back at home, Jo introduces the Sleep Separation technique. Evelina breaks down when Adam sobs. Adam becomes so angry that he repeatedly throws himself on Evelina, pinching her and pulling her hair. After about an hour, Adam finally falls asleep.
On the weekend, Robert is supposed to do chores while Evelina relaxes, but Jo catches Evelina folding laundry. Jo scooped up the laundry and tells Evelina to do something that was not related to the kids, housework or Robert. Jo has to resort to sending her out of the house for a while. Meanwhile, Robert surprisingly starts to get more Active, as he does All The Chores whilst Evalina is Gone. Evalina eventually comes Home with Some Snacks for The Kids Whilst Robert Vaccums around The House.
DVD meeting
While Jo is away, Robert takes all three kids shopping and does his chores which Jo praises him for. He then goes on to do the Sleep Seperation Technique perfectly he kept his head down the whole time until Adam falls asleep, which Jo praises him for aswell. Adam begins clinging to Evelina again, but she does not do the Off The Hip Technique and The Sleep Separation Technique does not work with Evelina either. She cuddles Adam and continues to speak to him. Jo confronts Evelina about encouraging Adam's clingy ways.
Reinforcement
When Adam become clingy again, Jo walks Evelina through the Off the Hip Technique again. Jo helps Evelina to use a low toned voice. She catches on very quickly. Both parents now have more time to spend with Demetrius and Meya. Jo now switches from Sleep Separation to Stay in Bed since Adam has become comfortable in his crib. She walks Robert through the technique. Adam comes out of bed five times. Jo's work with the Gorbeas is now done.
Pop Culture
- During the scene where Jo mentions how nobody can watch the TV when Adam uses it, he can be seen watching Doctor Looney's Remedy by Parachute Express.
- The Movie that Adam is watching during Jo's observation at night, is the 1995 Disney movie, A Goofy Movie. Funnily enough, Doctor Looney's Remedy, was actually featured on the preview on the movie's VHS.
- One Scene has Meya wearing a Shirt with Jessie from Toy Story.
Family Members
| Person | Age | Relation to Family |
|---|---|---|
| Robert Gorbea | - | Father |
| Evelina Gorbea | - | Mother |
| Demetrius | 9 (born September 6, 1995) | Son |
| Meya | 8 (born October 11, 1996) | Daughter |
| Adam | 2 ½ (born May 12, 2002) | Son |
| The child was supposed to be disciplined via one of Jo Frost's techniques, but they never received it. |
Behind The Scenes
This Episode was Filmed in September-October 2004.
Trivia
- This was the first Supernanny episode to have no discipline.
- However, during the Family Update Special, the Naughty Chair was mentioned a few times by Evelina and Jo, despite it never being implemented in the episode. It was however, briefly seen when Off The Hip was being implemented.
- Some people view this episode as a US version of The Wood Family, due to both episodes featuring the older children not getting a lot of attention, because of their younger sibling's behaviour.
Events Post-Episode
- Evelina gave birth to 3 daughters (they are not triplets) named Scarlet, Avery and Isla, making her a mother of 6 children, and giving Meya sisters.
Gallery
External Links
- Full Episode on YouTube
- Full Episode (Complete) on YouTube
- Full Episode (Complete) on archive.org
- Press release from American Broadcasting Company
- Local paper's graduation insert
- Evelina's Instagram
- Meya's Instagram
| Season 1 |
|---|
| The Jeans Family • The Bullard Family • The Orm Family • The Wischmeyer Family • The Weston Family • The Bailey Family • The Gorbea Family • The Ririe Family • The Collins Family • The Burnett Family • The Christiansen Family • Family Update Special |