I was skeptical about this show. I am a mother of a 14 yr old boy. I would have a hard time sending my son away for 40 days.
They are sent in the middle of nowhere with no adults and have to fend for themselves. They get enough food for 40 days for 40 kids. The kids age ranges between 8-14 years old.
They have 1 outhouse for 40 kids. None of them know how to cook so the first night was pretty bad. The next day they get split into 4 groups. The goal of the show is that they make a successful town.
They have to compete for thier jobs. The red team came in first place. So they became the upper class and make 1 dollar per day. Blue team came in second and get 50 cents per day for being merchants. Yellow team came in 3rd place and they are the cooks for 25 cents. The green team came in last place and are the laborers for 10 cents.
The green team made it in time to win the town the bonus prize. It was a choice between a TV or 7 porta potties. The town councel made up of 4 kids of diffrent ages decided on the porta potties.
Which was a good choice since there are 40 kids. They finally get to see the shops. There is a candy store. A general goods store with games and toys. There is also a saloon with all kinds of pop. The kids are all excited when they see the stores. All the kids take thier money and spend it.
Sophia who is a laborer saw a bike she set her eyes on. She only has 10 cents and she needs 3 dollars. She grabs a jar and starts dancing in the middle of the street for tips. She finally gets enough money for the bike and starts riding it around. I hope she shares it since others helped her get it.
The town council also has another secret job to do. Every town meeting they must decide the kid who has done the best job and they win a gold star worth 20,000 dollars. They decide on Sophia. Also at the town council meeting kids can decide to leave. Some of the kids have been having a hard time and have been crying and homesick.
The one effected the most is an adorable 8 year old boy named Jimmy. He has cried a few times during the episode and decides to go home. Some of the other kids try to talk him into staying. He just misses his family too much. I think 8 is a bit young to be away from his family. I dont blame him for going home.
Sophia was also granted a phone call to tell her parents about the prize money she won. Now the kids will work extra hard to win a gold star. The previews look super good and I can't wait to watch next Wed at 8pm pst/est.
I hope you will watch too.
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Comments: 54
Being a mom, I don't think I could have allowed my almost 9 year old son to participate in this. In fact, I'd have a real hard time letting my 11 year old daughter do this.
We didn't catch the first episode but I'm sure we will see it sooner or later.
Conducting social experiments on children separated from their parents seems more than a little creepy...
It is an interesting way of showing kids how hard it is to be 'grown up.' I think the ones that stick it out will have a nice experience and be more prepared for 'getting out on their own.'
Some of the older boys have already proven themselves to be mischief makers. Some of the younger kids have really surprised me. I was already sad that Jimmy left, he was so cute, but maybe 8 is a little young for this much 'reality.'
I cant wait for the next episode.
I can't believe it. It's the first time I've ever been wrong... ; ^)
I also heard that the parents all signed waivers that if the kids were to become fatally ill they can't hold the show responsible (or something of this nature.) Not the best thing to promote by tuning in, is it?
WwW.SparkleTags.Com
I would say 8 is way too young. Actually, 14 and under is probably too young to be away for 40 days.
I will try and tune into the next one.
Thanks!!
This moronic show should be renamed, "Stupid, Child-Endangering Parents Nation". It's truly pathetic what people will do for money.
'Kid Nation' Parents Gave Show Free Rein'
No Human Rights In "Kid Nation"
No liability for CBS in controversial
"ghost town" reality series
AUGUST 23--Parents of minors starring in "Kid Nation," the controversial new CBS reality show, signed away their rights to sue the network and the show's producers if their child died, was severely injured, or contracted a sexually transmitted disease during the program's taping. The blanket liability waivers are contained in a detailed "participant agreement" prepared by the show's producers and signed by parents. That document, a copy of which you'll find below, also gave consent to CBS and its production partners to make medical treatment decisions on the minor's behalf (including surgery), though the network made no promises about the "qualifications or credentials" of medical professionals that might treat the stars of "Kid Nation," which was originally titled "The Manhattan Project." The show, which debuts next month, features 40 children (ages 8-15) living in a New Mexico "ghost town" for 40 days without adult supervision.
For more, go to: http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2007/0823071kidnation1.html?link=rssfeed
For further information on this issue see:
New Mexico attorney general looking into possible 'Kid Nation' violations
Los Angeles Times
A New Mexico official wants to know whether producers lawfully avoided obtaining work permits for children, and shut out inspection. The firestorm surrounding CBS' forthcoming "Kid Nation" picked up heat on Thursday when the New Mexico Attorney General's Office confirmed it was launching an investigation into whether state laws were broken during the production, and child activists called for ...
'Kid Nation' parents gave CBS show total control
The Olympian - Aug 24 4:07 AM
LOS ANGELES - Children who participated in "Kid Nation," a CBS reality show that has come under fire over questions of whether it violated child safety and labor laws, were required to do whatever they were told by the show's producers, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or risk expulsion from the television show, according to a copy of the contract signed by the children and their parents.
What concerns me, is not so much the labor laws, but rather, this lunacy:
"signed away their rights to sue the network and the show's producers if their child died, was severely injured, or contracted a sexually transmitted disease during the program's taping."
and,
The obvious 'malice and aforethought' of covering up of their' slimy butts that CBS indulged in. Does corporate greed know no bounds? Does parental monetary greed know no bounds? Is this not clear and purposeful child-endangerment? Why not just give them a tin can...stand them on a street corner and have them beg for money?
Charges should be brought against CBS for even writing out these contracts and the imbecilic parents for signing them.
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977096075
Unless it's Football, Red Sox playoffs, or a movie; I very rarely watch the tube.
Not to mention, High School is brutal enough - at least they don't have the entire country looking on. Kids are kids, they screw up, goof around etc. I don't know that I'd like my child's "growing pains" played out on a national scale from which they'll never be allowed to forget.
One of my neighbors was asked to be in the original episode of Wife Swap. They talked about it as a family and the kids were the main decision makers. Specifically, one child. He didn't want to be on tv in his daily life. He felt that if he wanted to get into acting, he'd act, not live his life on a world stage. Having seen that show, I do wonder what some people are thinking to agree to this.
That being said, I do like reality shows, but some are just the "what were they thinking" factor. I'm going to have to pass on Kid Nation. Just on general principle.
I think it's an absolutely wonderful opportunity for these kids and I'd send mine in a heartbeat. It would have been good for them since she can cook basic meals just fine.
Even my four year old has watched this show over and over. (We Tivo'd it.)
I am wondering how much supervision there is and how many issues will come up with bullying, or worse. Think about teenage hormones at 13-15 ? :( That would scare the heck out of me if I sent a kid there.
I think it wasn't safe for young children to be on this show.