A comedic interlude on 'Kid Nation'

So, the queen of mean gets some gleam?

Not quite, and no, we're not talking about Taylor. Olivia was shut out, but came awfully close to getting a star this episode.  But a funny thing happened on her way to the gold ... Kennedy.

Kennedy from Kentucky, a quirky girl who's 'not afraid of making a fool of herself,' told jokes, put on costumes and danced her way through the talent show, all the while being entertaining enough to merit the $20,000 prize.  Maybe not as enterprising as these banker kids in New Delhi, but she helped provide a service for these bored pioneers.

Gotta say, I thought that Jasmine, who got a short spotlight when she sang, would shine in this episode (check the song on her bio). But Kennedy and Olivia's comedy stylings won over the group.

It may not have been the grossest event (I think the live pork and beans may still have it), but the chewing gum spit-tastic challenge was pretty bad. Guylan told host Jonathan that he was about to throw up. But, wonder of wonders, the green team finally gets a chance to be the upper class!!! All the cool kids (Laurel, Sophia, Michael) are on the green team, and they deserve it. Coincidentally, it's the first time the group didn't win a challenge. Luckily, they were pretty weak prizes: paint or a block party.

This episode's highlight was Laurel singing at the gold star ceremony. She was GREAT. "Amazing Grace" on cue, and the Massachusetts mahvel sang it well.  Sooner or later, the other council members will have to find a way to sneak her the star. Other noteworthy happenings: Meeting the Paris and Nicole of Bonanza City (Natasha and Migle), Jared reciting a monologue from Shakespeare, Greg and Blaine in drag and Divad nominating HERSELF for the gold star again. She is unbelievable.

Last week, "Kid Nation" viewership rose in the ratings for the second straight week (7.86 million viewers), despite reports that the public was turning its back on the show. You know it's popular when someone makes up a drinking game about it.

Quote:  Anjay: Olivia's doing stand-up comedy? I don't know what that is, but I'm quite scared of it.

Photo: CBS

-- Jevon Phillips