| Parental Control | |
|---|---|
| Format | Competition, Dating |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) | Michael Canter |
| Running time | approx. 0:22 (per episode) |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | MTV |
| Original run | February 6, 2005 – present |
| External links | |
| Website | |
Parental Control is a semi-scripted "reality" program produced by MTV.[1] The two directors, Brendon Carter[2] and Bruce Klassen,[3] have also created other MTV shows.
In Asia, this show was aired on Channel V in the period of 2007-2009.
Contents |
The version which aired February 2006 differs from its premiere in March 2005 on MTV's Spring Break 2005. A girl was to interview five boys, and after a set of about five questions for each person or an activity of some sort, the father will eliminate one of the contestants. This would go on until one contestant remained.[4]
In the latest version, parents are unhappy with their child's current boyfriend, girlfriend or significant other. The parents interview and select prospective partners who vie for the affections of their child. Afterwards, their child goes on a date with the two selections that each parent chose. The child then has to decide whether to keep their current relationship, stay single, or chose one of the new prospects.[5]
During each date, the parents and the current partner watch and comment, often antagonistically, as the date unfolds on television. When the dates are finished, the child selects their new partner from amongst the competitors and current partner. First, one of the three is picked to leave before the other two. Then the child chooses between the two remaining potential partners. The whole process often results in unpleasant behavior from the two who were eliminated. Usually, the current boyfriend/girlfriend is selected. In some occasions, the child chooses neither the current significant other nor the dates that his or her parents set up for the child and chooses to stay single.[6]
Aside from the Spring Break 2005 premiere (which only had one episode), the show premiered in February 2006 as a spring 2006 replacement show without much hype or commercials. The show, much like other MTV dating shows (Next and Date My Mom), started off with few viewers and grew to a fair-rated show.[7]
The first season ended airing new shows around June 2006, to make more room for new seasons of Made, Room Raiders, and Next, and start the new TV series Why Can't I Be You?.[8]
The second season began in October 2006. In March 2007, a new series was filmed in UK.[9]