Supernanny (C4) We Have Ways Of Making You Talk (BBC2) - Supernanny Jo Frost realised that her task was going to be difficult when four-year-old Joseph threatened to throw a brick at her within minutes of her arrival in the Collins household.

She did not look amused. And who can blame her? Karen and Jason's four children, aged between four and ten, use mob rule to control what goes on. They hit, spit and kick each other. They swear like they're in a C4 drama.

While Jason enforced strict discipline, Karen gave in to every demand. With one parent weak and the other firm, the children knew exactly how to play things to get their own way. They made the wild bunch look like little angels and would have tried the patience of even Mary Poppins.

Supernanny has to teach parents how to conduct themselves as much as the children. If the adults get it right, then their offspring will respond accordingly.

Naughty zones were established and toy confiscation enforced for repeated bad behaviour. The relief was immense - among viewers and parents alike - when the family stopped shouting at each other and played a game without anyone getting hurt, anything getting broken or Joseph telling his mother to eff off.

For parents, the joy of Supernanny and programmes like it lies in the feeling of relief that their children aren't as badly behaved. Those without children can thank their lucky stars to have escaped such pandemonium.

Horrific as it was, Supernanny couldn't be more chilling than We Have Ways Of Making You Talk, a deeply unpleasant examination of torture around the world.

Amazingly, both torturers and victims were willing to relay the grisly details. There was an air of gloating among the former that left a nasty taste in the mouth. French General Paul Aussaresses, who tortured prisoners during the Algerian war of independence, said: "It is very unpleasant but does not kill." Later he added: "It is not a question of forgiveness, I did my duty."

Torture is as much a part of war as death, it was claimed. Lives can be saved through information gained from interrogation. Others feel torture can be counter-productive, with prisoners under stress saying anything, not necessarily the truth, to stop the torture.

We heard of torture methods during conflicts in Korea, Northern Ireland, Vietnam, Argentina and South Africa. The range and type of torture inflicted was staggering in both variety and ingenuity. Water, sexual humiliation, electric shocks, isolation and dogs were among the methods used.

Human beings are very clever at inflicting pain on their fellow man, although some maintained that psychological torture was more effective than physical torture. To be honest, it all sounded terrifying.

Many of the methods on show have been employed in Iraq and the current war on terror. They may be universally condemned but are widely practised.

And before you condemn such action, bear in mind the words of a Vietnam War soldier: "He was my enemy and unless you have been in my position, don't judge me."

Published: 06/05/2004