"They needed to hear a few hard truths," Ms. Frost recalled.

But Ms. Frost said there was no plan to change the show's formula.

Ms. Frost is remarkably cheerful for someone who has spent the past year on the road with no fixed address.

Ms. Frost said she had always felt a special bond with children, even when she was young, and baby-sat at every opportunity.

"Some of the training is very strong," Ms. Frost said.

"Communication is our biggest technique for coping with stress," Ms. Frost said.

Ms. Frost gives her players an extra day off each week - they practice only four days - to help reduce stress.

"Our programming doesn't have to support two inches on a shelf in a bookstore anymore," Ms. Frost said.

Ms. Frost was still there - and so was her phalanx of friends.

"He got past the front runners this time, and we talked for a while," Ms. Frost said.