I know we like to not like network tv, but did anyone here watch Kid Nation tonight?

[Diamond Dave]

Were you moved in any way?

Diamond D and I have been watching for the season - tonight we both were wiped out. Our kids are our future.

We shed a few too many tears. and we are way too old to do that.

Anyone else?

[Flatline]

1. Sorry no I think that show is SICK! n/t

[DFW]

2. I know I'm gonna regret this, but:

What in the world is "Kid Nation" ??

[Diamond Dave]

5. A different kind of "reality" show on network TV. --- n/t

[DFW]

8. Got it, thanks. We don't get that stuff here.

[Breeze54]

3. It was a pretty good show but I was sorry

that all the kids didn't get a star. They all deserved to get one and I don't think any of them
deserved to get two! They should have put a rule against that from the beginning.

I watch network TV. I don't hate all of it but I do hate parts of it.

I don't watch everything on TV and I don't buy any cable TV. Screw Murdoch and his ilk!

[Diamond Dave]

4. Breeze, we agree with all. All the kids deserved "stars", but it gave us

a large degree of hope for the future. The riot and then the recovery. These kids and families will stay connected for life.

It came down to community.

Love you and we are proud to know you. I'm sure some of your close friends are ours as well and we might have even met and didn't know it.

[taterguy]

6. So the hope for the future is based on violating child labor laws and exploiting kids?

I hope not

[zalinda]

7. Yes, I watched it, but I did with a critical eye

I admit I was moved, but then I always cry at happy endings. My problem with the show was the fast turn around that some of the kids had. It seemed like it was coached, if not scripted.

But, I think it was a good positive show for adults and kids. We tend to forget that kids can do a lot more than just play. They are capable of more than they are sometimes asked to do, or we are willing to let them do. If we ask our kids to perform, whether in school or at home, they can and will live up to the responsibility, it's just that we have to ask them.

And don't worry, I think everyone of those kids will be paid. I read in Slate that the kids each got $5,000. But, you know a number of these kids will be booked on TV shows and get paid for that. Some will end up as actors, as for some that was their goal all along.

All in all, it was a pretty positive show. Whether or not it was real or somewhat scripted, it showed kids in a good light.

zalinda

[aikoaiko]

9. I've been watching. (but I still need to watch last night's show on DVR)

It was not nearly the show some hand-wringing types feared it would be -- there were lots of people saying it would be a televised Lord of the Flies.

The one caveat is to remember is that all reality shows set up situations, coach and influence the participants, and edit to create stories. Throughout most of the show, the kids acted just like adults. Some rose up, some sank low and most were just there to do the day to day stuff.

One of my favorite characters was Sofia. She was never given a formal leadership role (town council) but she did a great job of leading.