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This new series has been the target of some controversy. What are your thoughts?

You can read my article about Kid Nation here:
Kid Nation

Last week, I found the show interesting. It's a reality show, so the "survival" elements balanced the competitive fun. This week, the show went too far. Kids can learn important life lessons without setting them up to kill animals. The producers went too far, and it added nothing of value to the show, in my opinion.

Shoot, I meant to watch it tonight. What happened? My kids have been sick, so, it slipped my mind. I did enjoy it last week. I was afraid it would be too "Lord of the Flies", but it was pretty good.

Welcome, cpatt!

I really enjoyed the show last week, too. This week, the producers set the kids up to kill some of the chickens. It was very clearly staged to elicit drama and ratings. Kid Nation is a reality show, not a true-life survival experience. There was no reason to have these children killing animals in one scene, and bribing them with a giant 40-foot waterslide as a reward in the next. (That was one of the choices for the group rewards, along with several non-freezing water pumps, following the Showdown.)

The show can be compelling without crossing the line, which I think they did this week. I was actually sick to my stomach.

Oh, I am glad that I didn't watch it then. I was afraid that they would cross the line. I was dead set against the show when I first heard about it. Then, I saw an interview with the producers and they made it look like a sort of "Outward Bound" type of experience where the kids demonstrated superior character. Why can't they just shed kids in a positive light without making it controversial? Makes you wonder if they have kids and if they do what kind of parents they are. hmmmm

PS Thanks for the welcome. I just found this forum and I feel like I have come home. It is awesome! Anyway...

That is exactly what I thought, too, Cassie! I was thinking it would be more of an Outward Bound type situation, with your typical reality-show challenges thrown in for entertainment. I wonder what the kids' parents thought when they found out about this episode. Some of the other controversy didn't seem that big of a deal to me - most of the alleged complaints were about things that could easily happen in anyone's home, no matter how much supervision was present. If they're looking for ratings through controversy and drama, though, they've definitely achieved their goal. But at what price?

I'm so glad you're enjoying the forum! Thank you for adding to the great vibe we have going on here!