DUNKERTON - The shiny black London taxi seemed out of place in the quiet residential neighborhood. The rented vehicle rolled up the driveway at 413 Sal Ave.

Out popped a cheerful, yet businesslike, woman in purple who, for the last week, has been the talk of the town in Dunkerton.

Jo Frost, star of ABC's reality TV show "Supernanny," strolled around the house and up to the front door. A cameraman captures the sequence again. And again. And again. And again …

"This isn't the meat of the stuff," said Kirsty Robson, executive of production. "This is the pretty stuff."

Frost's arrival at and departure from Joseph and Stacie Fager's household on Tuesday is actually the final step in an intense taping process. The Dunkerton residents summoned the assistance of "Supernanny" - a real-life nanny for 16 years - for help managing their blended family, which includes six children.

On Tuesday, the focus family was nowhere to be seen. But last week, Frost got to know the Dunkerton eight and observed family dynamics.

"I spend a lot of time with the family," Frost said.

During her visits, she notes how emotions - like frustration - and circumstances - like demanding jobs - can impact a household. She then offers objective, problem-solving advice from a new perspective.

"Every family's fresh," Frost said. "I don't go in complacent."

Television viewers will be able to watch as Frost demonstrates alternative parenting techniques with self-explanatory names, like the involvement technique.

Frost then typically steps out of the picture while Mom and Dad give it a go under the scrutiny of cameras. The nanny returns at the end of the show for a final assessment.

The episode could air in May or later in the summer, Robson said.

Curious neighbors, however, got a sneak preview.

"It's crazy," said Jenny Smid on an outing with her daughters, Katie, 5, and Michelle, 3. "Just lots of traffic. The vehicles. The electrical equipment."

Prior to filming, the "Supernanny" crew went door-to-door at some houses explaining and apologizing in advance for potential inconveniences that come with pulling off an episode.

On Tuesday, congestion created by RVs, trucks and equipment made motorists drive more cautiously. But those confronted with the subdued commotion appeared to take the by-now-familiar disruption in stride.

Motorists waved at Frost as she walked up Sal Avenue in a pair of green, sparkly sandals during a break in taping. Later, neighborhood children gawked outside her taxi.

At one point, some well-wishers delivered cookies, Robson says, a nice gesture for a crew that has been on the road for nine months. The Dunkerton job marked the last of 22 assignments.

"This is our first trip to Iowa," Robson said. " … And the people have been great."

Neighbor Brian Belmer said the visitors were "no big deal," though he was not one of three homeowners asked to supply power for the shoot. He, like other bystanders, were awed a reality television show paid a visit to their hometown.

He watched the family frolic on the school's football field and saw a cameraman chase one son on a bicycle down the street.

Robson said the family drama portrayed on television is authentic. There's no manipulation and no script.

"We don't come in and make children behave badly," she said.

Other residents who caught wind of the adventure - a topic of conversation at the co-op, convenience store and school - were also amazed that London's beloved modern-day Mary Poppins dropped by.

"It'll be kind of exciting to see it once it's all done," Belmer says.

Contact Karen Heinselman at 291-1581 or karen.heinselman@wcfcourier.com.