'Kid Nation': Tearful goodbyes

If you've been watching, you knew this was coming.  A super teary goodbye, some final gold star rewards, and of course, one last challenge.

The episode, like the show and its pre-air hype, started off with chaos.  The job board was burned down, nixing the class structure and the division of labor. The kids went wild.  Mike, who has kept a relentlessly active energy around him throughout the ordeal, found the board aflame as he reflected on his stay in Bonanza during a walk in the dark. As the kids banned together to douse the fire, Jarrod left us with another zinger (as he carried a cup of water to the flame): Help any way you can, even if you have to use a freakin' tin cup!  We'll miss Jarrod.

Once order broke down, the kids looted the store and the supply room. As DK asked "Why?" Taylor disciple Leila tried to justify the mayhem by stating that "kids don't always have to act like adults."  Though I'm sure it happens, most kids probably don't loot the candy store whenever they get the chance.  Or do they?

Guylan embodied the guilt that the kids felt the next day when they woke up to their candy-strewn town saying: "We need to learn the hard way sometimes."  They established order and cleaned up.  DK, Greg, Blaine and Michael continued to be the council leaders as they headed into a town council meeting.  Zach was finally given a gold star.  He believed he deserved it, but the 10-year-old welled up nonetheless.

The brainy kids took over "Kid Nation" in the "Where's Bonanza, Dude?" episode.  Smarty Sophia as the sheriff, with Alex the wannabe linguist/chemist/geographer and Jarrod -- a kid able to define the Homestead Act on cue and possibly invent a human teleportation device -- all taking center stage.

The council -- DK, Micheal, Greg and Blaine -- go on an introspective quest, and end up learning a thing or two about people and leadership from a Native American tribe.  Not to discount their experience, but it seemed that Michael and DK may have gotten the most out of the trip.

Meanwhile, Sophia helped whip the town into shape, closing up the arcade until all the chores were done.  The kids -- even Taylor -- worked and were able to play later.  Life lesson No. . . . I've lost count.

The challenge was a muscular one and, without four of the strongest kids, seemed like a tough one.  The districts were able to move a small house (each) and some animals, so they received a reward:  a carved monument that would stay in the town forever, or hot air balloon rides.  It was Sophia's choice -- and she went with the balloons.  I might have chosen the monument.  They could bring the parents there, friends, teachers who liked the show, even their own kids (it looked sturdy) in the future. I understand, but a once-in-a-lifetime chance to go hot air ballooning?  Once in a lifetime? At 14?  Oh well.

With news that the season will be ending Dec. 12, we should be looking for some signs that producers are stepping up the drama. With the new council (and their degrading ways) and next week's Sophia the Sheriff episode, seems like they're trying. Considering Sophia's popularity, it should help.

The almighty journal suggested that the districts study the history of Bonanza. Many kids came to get away from school, including Colton and Taylor, so this was not an enjoyable task for cerebrally challenged Blaine and the yellow district. The sunshine squad was in trouble.

The challenge? Pop balloons after guessing the correct answer to a trivia question on the town's history (knew it was coming). Of course, the smarties of the green district won the challenge, mostly thanks to Hunter's slingshot ability.  He needs a star, and should've gotten one a couple of episodes ago.

The reward?  Library vs. arcade. Hate to say it, but this was not even a choice at this point of the show. Dance Dance Revolution vs. an atlas?!? Time for Bonanza to boogie after 34 days -- all except Taylor, who was banned for inactivity. Finally she gets a real punishment, but too bad it took an arcade to force her to work.

But ... the arcade took over! Sophia commented that Bonanza was a "ghost town" as the kids spent all of their time there. So, at the town hall meeting, DK and the council recognized that the arcade was a big negative influence and decided to close it down until the pioneers finished their chores. To enforce the rule, Sophia was chosen sheriff.

Good choice, and good choice of another green team member, Hunter, as the gold star winner. We HAD to see Hunter's dad on the phone call home -- the guy who has been mentioned so much by his son as instilling in him a great work ethic and values.  Hunter should be a highlight on what's good about the show.

Laurel voted off the council?!?  Definitely uncalled for, but kids can be fickle.  One kid in the green district said that she was "losing her focus."  Weak excuse, and not true.  Despite her steadiness and Michael's likability, I sense a backlash coming from Laurel.  It came as she tried to cope with being "powerless," but it went quickly.

In other results: Greg easily took out Anjay. Guylan gives up his seat to DK, and Blaine beats out Zach.  Meet your new council, and be afraid.  Sophia: "I feel like somebody just won a presidential election with no background check."

Such a smarty, but maybe she and the green district are too smart?  Suddenly, the strongest district was set upon by the leaders of the other three districts for not being pro-town. We won't even talk about the stupid communication exercise that brain surgeon Blaine suggested, but suffice it to say the problems with the green group are much more due to faulty leaders  in the other districts than anything the green team did.

Former leader catch up:  Zach is feeling homesick. Guylan "feels like a train just got lifted off my chest." And Mike?  Well, he's a bit upset that Guylan took his seat only to give it up when it got too tough.

Taylor returns, or at least is back on camera.  The council decides that if she doesn't do more work the headstrong little girl won't reap the rewards of the challenge.  Ohhh . . . it doesn't seem to faze her.  Greg: "She thinks she's the princess of 'Bonanza.' "

The first flaw, the first chink in the solidly likeable armor that surrounds Laurel, was exposed in this episode.  Granted, it reared its green head as she was defending her teammates, but it left the door open to criticism and even a (gasp) coup.  But I'm getting ahead of myself ...

The book, the town journal that always seems to mess things up, did it again by directing the council to mix up the teams.  Established friendships and familiar teammates were shuffled.  Emilie from red to blue, Nathan from blue to red, and Blaine from blue to yellow.   The last move, separating best friends and strong-kid duo Greg and Blaine, pretty much sealed poor Anjay's fate as a council leader. It's not quite Child Island, but there was inter-district yelling and protests, especially in the red and blue teams.  Greg even reverted to bully mode, threatening to punch a frightened-looking Anjay in the face.

The challenge was hauling rocks. A team-building and town-building exercise. The blue team won. Guylan was yelled at by Sophia (which hurt his feelings), and the town missed out on getting beds or a party trailer.  Oh, and Blaine won the gold star.  Then the good stuff began.

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.

Where can you find kids, capitalism and cleanliness all on one show?  Why, on "Kid Nation," of course.  And despite objections from a former child star, the show is gearing up for its second season by taking applications for participants.

Divad starts it off by selling prepared food to get extra money -- food that everyone can get for free (except that she's cooked it for them). Jared is against it, and when he is rebuffed, he freaks out.  Never seen Jared physically get angry. It was quite a sight, and another reminder that these are, after all, just kids. He and Divad made up, though.

The town council was directed toward a cave housing a treasure chest full of buffalo nickels and, in typically right-thinking manner, bought community gifts for the town instead of just dividing up the loot.

Divad, Pharoah and Nathan receive the "golden" spotlight this episode.  It was anybody's guess who'd get it, but Divad's campaigning ways were sure to backfire.

One of the most sensible kids, DK, was the star this week.  His frustration at the kids being ... kids was palpable, and enough to make him say that's it. Luckily, new council member Guylan's little-brother shtick was enough to make him stay, and then be rewarded with the gold star.  As one reviewer put it, "whether you're a sinner (Taylor) or a saint (Morgan), everybody loves DK."

"Bonanza Is Disgusting"  is the title of this week's episode.  And though it was green through and through, one little girl continues to pollute the city.

Guylan and Zach got their first taste of leadership, and everyone got their first full glimpse of the evil that is a powerless Taylor.  A bit strong to say for a kid, you say?  Maybe, but the mischief that she creates disrupts the entire town.  Even her running mate, Leila, changed her mind and became a team player (for a while).  They tried to punish her, but that didn't work.  Such a brat .

On to the challenge ...

Seems like there's a revolution every week, but it finally happened: the council shake-up.  Taylor, the beauty queen who doesn't do dishes, is voted off the council, and Zach, the take-charge 10-year-old, takes his rightful position.  It was a long time coming.

But what the heck happened with boy scout Mike?!?

Guylan, the quiet Massachusetts kid who admires Fidel Castro, had only been quoted a few times all season.  A home-schooled 11-year-old with nothing to lose, he stepped up and grabbed the votes from the red team.  It was a total sweep.  It blindsided Mike, and it blindsided me.  Mike's been doing a good job.

In other election news, Laurel is totally loved, and Anjay withstood a challenge from snarky Olivia (some posit that she's mean toward Anjay because of his faith).  It's obvious the producers continue to introduce more and more societal structure into the camp (class, curfew, religion, elections), with each step bringing more chaos.  Or is it more order?

And after the bullying, graffiti and cursing, old man Greg finally gets a star.  His consoling of Sophie after Markell ripped up her campaign sign was probably what sealed it, but the kid's been working hard for a while now.  $20,000 for college.

First they (producers) added social structure to shake things up.  Now, the tried-and-true divider (and occasional uniter) religion is forced upon the kids.

The most interesting thing in this episode, besides the religious debate, was Cody swooning over his girlfriend.  He's 9!  Not to be callous about his emotions but ... 9?  With a girlfriend.  Hmmm ... maybe it says more about me than him that I'm surprised at his depth of emotion.  Moving on ...

Jewish kids stuck together in a "Jew crew," and a few of the Christians voiced their opinions ("Christians rule!").  Zach tried to explain Judaism but was shot down.  Not interested.

Then through the chaos stepped 12-year-old Morgan, the mobilizer (left).  Morgan, the mediator. Morgan, the mom.  She nicely asked the kids to join her in prayer after no one responded to the town council's decree.   In the episode's first tear-inducing moment, a kid named Pharoah spoke through tears about his appreciation for them all to be able to come together, Jews and Gentiles alike!

Cody was quoted early as saying, "It's just gonna all end in conflict, and I don't want to be part of it."  As if to bring that point home, in teary moment number two, he decides that's enough.  He misses his family too much, but is really sorry to leave.  This hits young Campbell, his best friend, really hard.  He later drowns his sorrows with a couple of shot glasses of root beer.  OK, on to the money!

Will it be Morgan ... will it be Zach ... Morgan ... Zach.  It's ... Morgan!

Challenge order:
Blue: Upperclass.  Greg, as usual, does the strong-man work.
Red: Merchants.
Yellow: Cooks.
Green: Laborers, again.

This week's challenge choice: A mini-golf course or a mini-library of holy books (Bible, Koran, etc.).  They took the books.  Curious, but it can open some eyes since we've seen lots of religious misunderstanding.  See, this show can be educational.

As critics continue to wonder why kids reality shows are being made, advertisers are watching and pitching in.  Among them, McDonald’s, PetSmart, Lysol and T-Mobile are the latest advertisers to take advantage of the show's 10,000-viewer jump in the 2-11 age group from week to week.  And advertisers aren't the only ones chiming in.

Naysayer: " 'Kid Nation' is, if not a bigger fraud [than the reality shows], certainly a more obvious one." -- Deseret Morning News

Praise-giver: "DVR 'Pushing Daisies' tomorrow, and watch 'Kid Nation' with your friends." -- Michigan Daily

And Taylor haters: "I'm with so many of the kids -- I want Yellow to lose so that Taylor will be a laborer." -- TV Squad

"A certain runty Mussolini needs to do more than drop some pity-me tears to hold onto office." -- Entertainment Weekly

Show quote: "People are being a little narrow minded here." -- Laurel

The show and the world, Laurel.  And speaking of the world, lots of people are not on the Taylor fan bus.

Photo: CBS.com

-- Jevon Phillips

One of the youngest "Kid Nation" participants, 9-year-old Mallory, right, celebrated her birthday by winning the gold star and $20,000 (to the delight of big sis Olivia).

A few other kids stepped into the spotlight.  Mallory and Olivia, Indianapolis native Morgan and tough guy Colton from Reno had cameras pointed their way this week. Morgan was considered for a gold star, and once again old man Greg was shut out.  He let a few expletives fly before the voting, which probably didn't help his chances.

Pouring salt in the wound was the council's announcement of a curfew!  How are a group of kids hopped up on chocolate and soda going to be able to stick to their 9:30 bedtime?  Only time will tell, and be sure that sleep-deprived kids will be even more testy when they're put in their place by their peers. Maybe Skeet Ulrich doesn't want to send Britney Spears' kids here.

And speaking of being put in her place ... beauty queen Taylor was pushed to tears when the kids (led by chef Sophia) called for her to step down and be nicer.  For a 10-year-old, she stirs up a lot of emotion (check out the rate-a-kid feature).

A random dust storm that knocked down a few outhouses led to Jared's latest rant.  To escape the twister, they have to build a time machine and ... wait.  What?

Add a couple more pellets to the controversy bucket.  The animal rights group Last Chance for Animals condemns the show for "staging" the chicken beheading.  I won't defend it, but I'm not gonna condemn it either.  It WAS pretty graphic.

It seems way too early to be talking about this, but there are reports that producers are having trouble finding a place to film "Kid Nation 2" (if it happens, which it should!).  They are actually looking at overseas locations, where the child labor laws may not be as strict.  Hmm ... there's lots of desert in Africa.  Or maybe a Siberian winter?  Here's a few choices:

This week's show quote comes from another Reno kid, Alex:  "Violence makes me feel very uneasy." Me, too, Alex.

Photo: CBS.com

-- Jevon Phillips

We'll get this out of the way. Everyone's had their pre-show opinions. Lots of people (including the Times) reviewed it, some even calling it "creepily unpleasant." And the ratings showed a solid, but not spectacular, beginning for a reality TV show (a 3.1 rating/9 share in adults ages 18-49 and 9.38 million viewers). "Kid Nation" is what sensible folk thought it would be: Lots of kids having what they think is a tough time making "a life" for themselves in the desert without adults. Except for the host, who never seems very far away.  And the cameramen who chronicle (and I believe) guide some of the action. And whatever crew is there to set up the challenges, the outhouses and the giant blow-up slide that was displayed in the latest episode. Yep, no adults except them (and the set child psychologists and ...).

So on to the show. First episode: The short of it is that the take-charge 14-year-old fast-talking Florida native Sophia got the first gold star and $20,000, while homesick 8-year-old Jimmy -- who, while on the bus, exclaimed, "I think I'm gonna die out here" -- decided not to chance it and went home. The long of it was a lot of setup done by creating a social structure and .. I'll just be lazy and let CBS tell you.

So, the most 'inflammatory' thing about the second episode of "Kid Nation" this week was a pop-up disclaimer before Greg, the oldest Kid Nationer, beheaded a couple of chickens.

"The following scene may be too intense for younger viewers."

Like the ones watching it live in Bonanza City?!? This could've done without the warning. The image may have been a bit jarring, but anyone watching the show knew it was going to happen. And that includes little Emilie, who protested but was eventually pushed aside by the chicken-soup craving horde.

Most of these kids are cute beyond reason (8-year-old Mallory helped start a stuffed-animal daycare center), and they're one-liner machines. Every time the camera is on Jared, just be ready.

A few lines from Episode 2:

• Savannah (talking about the yellow team): "They're just as lazy as a sack of potatoes."
• Jared (while holding a dead chicken): "It's the natural order of life!"
• Not sure if it was Emilie, but one of the kids who tried to protect the chickens: "[They're going to] gang up on us like they did Saddam Hussein!"
• Greg (foreshadowing trouble after he didn't win the gold star): "I thought it was pretty disrespectful, and I'm going to do something about it."

It's worth it to check out some of the bios that the kids created on CBS' site.  There are so many that some get lost, and this gives you more insight into what types of kids are trying to build this town.  More to come ...

-- Jevon Phillips

'Kid Nation': The end is near

The brainy kids took over "Kid Nation" in the "Where's Bonanza, Dude?" episode.  Smarty Sophia as the sheriff, with Alex the wannabe linguist/chemist/geographer and Jarrod -- a kid able to define the Homestead Act on cue and possibly invent a human teleportation device -- all taking center stage.

The council -- DK, Micheal, Greg and Blaine -- go on an introspective quest, and end up learning a thing or two about people and leadership from a Native American tribe.  Not to discount their experience, but it seemed that Michael and DK may have gotten the most out of the trip.

Meanwhile, Sophia helped whip the town into shape, closing up the arcade until all the chores were done.  The kids -- even Taylor -- worked and were able to play later.  Life lesson No. . . . I've lost count.

The challenge was a muscular one and, without four of the strongest kids, seemed like a tough one.  The districts were able to move a small house (each) and some animals, so they received a reward:  a carved monument that would stay in the town forever, or hot air balloon rides.  It was Sophia's choice -- and she went with the balloons.  I might have chosen the monument.  They could bring the parents there, friends, teachers who liked the show, even their own kids (it looked sturdy) in the future. I understand, but a once-in-a-lifetime chance to go hot air ballooning?  Once in a lifetime? At 14?  Oh well.

With news that the season will be ending Dec. 12, we should be looking for some signs that producers are stepping up the drama. With the new council (and their degrading ways) and next week's Sophia the Sheriff episode, seems like they're trying. Considering Sophia's popularity, it should help.

The almighty journal suggested that the districts study the history of Bonanza. Many kids came to get away from school, including Colton and Taylor, so this was not an enjoyable task for cerebrally challenged Blaine and the yellow district. The sunshine squad was in trouble.

The challenge? Pop balloons after guessing the correct answer to a trivia question on the town's history (knew it was coming). Of course, the smarties of the green district won the challenge, mostly thanks to Hunter's slingshot ability.  He needs a star, and should've gotten one a couple of episodes ago.

The reward?  Library vs. arcade. Hate to say it, but this was not even a choice at this point of the show. Dance Dance Revolution vs. an atlas?!? Time for Bonanza to boogie after 34 days -- all except Taylor, who was banned for inactivity. Finally she gets a real punishment, but too bad it took an arcade to force her to work.

But ... the arcade took over! Sophia commented that Bonanza was a "ghost town" as the kids spent all of their time there. So, at the town hall meeting, DK and the council recognized that the arcade was a big negative influence and decided to close it down until the pioneers finished their chores. To enforce the rule, Sophia was chosen sheriff.

Good choice, and good choice of another green team member, Hunter, as the gold star winner. We HAD to see Hunter's dad on the phone call home -- the guy who has been mentioned so much by his son as instilling in him a great work ethic and values.  Hunter should be a highlight on what's good about the show.

Laurel voted off the council?!?  Definitely uncalled for, but kids can be fickle.  One kid in the green district said that she was "losing her focus."  Weak excuse, and not true.  Despite her steadiness and Michael's likability, I sense a backlash coming from Laurel.  It came as she tried to cope with being "powerless," but it went quickly.

In other results: Greg easily took out Anjay. Guylan gives up his seat to DK, and Blaine beats out Zach.  Meet your new council, and be afraid.  Sophia: "I feel like somebody just won a presidential election with no background check."

Such a smarty, but maybe she and the green district are too smart?  Suddenly, the strongest district was set upon by the leaders of the other three districts for not being pro-town. We won't even talk about the stupid communication exercise that brain surgeon Blaine suggested, but suffice it to say the problems with the green group are much more due to faulty leaders  in the other districts than anything the green team did.

Former leader catch up:  Zach is feeling homesick. Guylan "feels like a train just got lifted off my chest." And Mike?  Well, he's a bit upset that Guylan took his seat only to give it up when it got too tough.

Taylor returns, or at least is back on camera.  The council decides that if she doesn't do more work the headstrong little girl won't reap the rewards of the challenge.  Ohhh . . . it doesn't seem to faze her.  Greg: "She thinks she's the princess of 'Bonanza.' "

The first flaw, the first chink in the solidly likeable armor that surrounds Laurel, was exposed in this episode.  Granted, it reared its green head as she was defending her teammates, but it left the door open to criticism and even a (gasp) coup.  But I'm getting ahead of myself ...

The book, the town journal that always seems to mess things up, did it again by directing the council to mix up the teams.  Established friendships and familiar teammates were shuffled.  Emilie from red to blue, Nathan from blue to red, and Blaine from blue to yellow.   The last move, separating best friends and strong-kid duo Greg and Blaine, pretty much sealed poor Anjay's fate as a council leader. It's not quite Child Island, but there was inter-district yelling and protests, especially in the red and blue teams.  Greg even reverted to bully mode, threatening to punch a frightened-looking Anjay in the face.

The challenge was hauling rocks. A team-building and town-building exercise. The blue team won. Guylan was yelled at by Sophia (which hurt his feelings), and the town missed out on getting beds or a party trailer.  Oh, and Blaine won the gold star.  Then the good stuff began.

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.

Where can you find kids, capitalism and cleanliness all on one show?  Why, on "Kid Nation," of course.  And despite objections from a former child star, the show is gearing up for its second season by taking applications for participants.

Divad starts it off by selling prepared food to get extra money -- food that everyone can get for free (except that she's cooked it for them). Jared is against it, and when he is rebuffed, he freaks out.  Never seen Jared physically get angry. It was quite a sight, and another reminder that these are, after all, just kids. He and Divad made up, though.

The town council was directed toward a cave housing a treasure chest full of buffalo nickels and, in typically right-thinking manner, bought community gifts for the town instead of just dividing up the loot.

Divad, Pharoah and Nathan receive the "golden" spotlight this episode.  It was anybody's guess who'd get it, but Divad's campaigning ways were sure to backfire.

One of the most sensible kids, DK, was the star this week.  His frustration at the kids being ... kids was palpable, and enough to make him say that's it. Luckily, new council member Guylan's little-brother shtick was enough to make him stay, and then be rewarded with the gold star.  As one reviewer put it, "whether you're a sinner (Taylor) or a saint (Morgan), everybody loves DK."

"Bonanza Is Disgusting"  is the title of this week's episode.  And though it was green through and through, one little girl continues to pollute the city.

Guylan and Zach got their first taste of leadership, and everyone got their first full glimpse of the evil that is a powerless Taylor.  A bit strong to say for a kid, you say?  Maybe, but the mischief that she creates disrupts the entire town.  Even her running mate, Leila, changed her mind and became a team player (for a while).  They tried to punish her, but that didn't work.  Such a brat .

On to the challenge ...

Seems like there's a revolution every week, but it finally happened: the council shake-up.  Taylor, the beauty queen who doesn't do dishes, is voted off the council, and Zach, the take-charge 10-year-old, takes his rightful position.  It was a long time coming.

But what the heck happened with boy scout Mike?!?

Guylan, the quiet Massachusetts kid who admires Fidel Castro, had only been quoted a few times all season.  A home-schooled 11-year-old with nothing to lose, he stepped up and grabbed the votes from the red team.  It was a total sweep.  It blindsided Mike, and it blindsided me.  Mike's been doing a good job.

In other election news, Laurel is totally loved, and Anjay withstood a challenge from snarky Olivia (some posit that she's mean toward Anjay because of his faith).  It's obvious the producers continue to introduce more and more societal structure into the camp (class, curfew, religion, elections), with each step bringing more chaos.  Or is it more order?

And after the bullying, graffiti and cursing, old man Greg finally gets a star.  His consoling of Sophie after Markell ripped up her campaign sign was probably what sealed it, but the kid's been working hard for a while now.  $20,000 for college.

First they (producers) added social structure to shake things up.  Now, the tried-and-true divider (and occasional uniter) religion is forced upon the kids.

The most interesting thing in this episode, besides the religious debate, was Cody swooning over his girlfriend.  He's 9!  Not to be callous about his emotions but ... 9?  With a girlfriend.  Hmmm ... maybe it says more about me than him that I'm surprised at his depth of emotion.  Moving on ...

Jewish kids stuck together in a "Jew crew," and a few of the Christians voiced their opinions ("Christians rule!").  Zach tried to explain Judaism but was shot down.  Not interested.

Then through the chaos stepped 12-year-old Morgan, the mobilizer (left).  Morgan, the mediator. Morgan, the mom.  She nicely asked the kids to join her in prayer after no one responded to the town council's decree.   In the episode's first tear-inducing moment, a kid named Pharoah spoke through tears about his appreciation for them all to be able to come together, Jews and Gentiles alike!

Cody was quoted early as saying, "It's just gonna all end in conflict, and I don't want to be part of it."  As if to bring that point home, in teary moment number two, he decides that's enough.  He misses his family too much, but is really sorry to leave.  This hits young Campbell, his best friend, really hard.  He later drowns his sorrows with a couple of shot glasses of root beer.  OK, on to the money!

Will it be Morgan ... will it be Zach ... Morgan ... Zach.  It's ... Morgan!

Challenge order:
Blue: Upperclass.  Greg, as usual, does the strong-man work.
Red: Merchants.
Yellow: Cooks.
Green: Laborers, again.

This week's challenge choice: A mini-golf course or a mini-library of holy books (Bible, Koran, etc.).  They took the books.  Curious, but it can open some eyes since we've seen lots of religious misunderstanding.  See, this show can be educational.

As critics continue to wonder why kids reality shows are being made, advertisers are watching and pitching in.  Among them, McDonald’s, PetSmart, Lysol and T-Mobile are the latest advertisers to take advantage of the show's 10,000-viewer jump in the 2-11 age group from week to week.  And advertisers aren't the only ones chiming in.

Naysayer: " 'Kid Nation' is, if not a bigger fraud [than the reality shows], certainly a more obvious one." -- Deseret Morning News

Praise-giver: "DVR 'Pushing Daisies' tomorrow, and watch 'Kid Nation' with your friends." -- Michigan Daily

And Taylor haters: "I'm with so many of the kids -- I want Yellow to lose so that Taylor will be a laborer." -- TV Squad

"A certain runty Mussolini needs to do more than drop some pity-me tears to hold onto office." -- Entertainment Weekly

Show quote: "People are being a little narrow minded here." -- Laurel

The show and the world, Laurel.  And speaking of the world, lots of people are not on the Taylor fan bus.

Photo: CBS.com

-- Jevon Phillips

One of the youngest "Kid Nation" participants, 9-year-old Mallory, right, celebrated her birthday by winning the gold star and $20,000 (to the delight of big sis Olivia).

A few other kids stepped into the spotlight.  Mallory and Olivia, Indianapolis native Morgan and tough guy Colton from Reno had cameras pointed their way this week. Morgan was considered for a gold star, and once again old man Greg was shut out.  He let a few expletives fly before the voting, which probably didn't help his chances.

Pouring salt in the wound was the council's announcement of a curfew!  How are a group of kids hopped up on chocolate and soda going to be able to stick to their 9:30 bedtime?  Only time will tell, and be sure that sleep-deprived kids will be even more testy when they're put in their place by their peers. Maybe Skeet Ulrich doesn't want to send Britney Spears' kids here.

And speaking of being put in her place ... beauty queen Taylor was pushed to tears when the kids (led by chef Sophia) called for her to step down and be nicer.  For a 10-year-old, she stirs up a lot of emotion (check out the rate-a-kid feature).

A random dust storm that knocked down a few outhouses led to Jared's latest rant.  To escape the twister, they have to build a time machine and ... wait.  What?

Add a couple more pellets to the controversy bucket.  The animal rights group Last Chance for Animals condemns the show for "staging" the chicken beheading.  I won't defend it, but I'm not gonna condemn it either.  It WAS pretty graphic.

It seems way too early to be talking about this, but there are reports that producers are having trouble finding a place to film "Kid Nation 2" (if it happens, which it should!).  They are actually looking at overseas locations, where the child labor laws may not be as strict.  Hmm ... there's lots of desert in Africa.  Or maybe a Siberian winter?  Here's a few choices:

This week's show quote comes from another Reno kid, Alex:  "Violence makes me feel very uneasy." Me, too, Alex.

Photo: CBS.com

-- Jevon Phillips

We'll get this out of the way. Everyone's had their pre-show opinions. Lots of people (including the Times) reviewed it, some even calling it "creepily unpleasant." And the ratings showed a solid, but not spectacular, beginning for a reality TV show (a 3.1 rating/9 share in adults ages 18-49 and 9.38 million viewers). "Kid Nation" is what sensible folk thought it would be: Lots of kids having what they think is a tough time making "a life" for themselves in the desert without adults. Except for the host, who never seems very far away.  And the cameramen who chronicle (and I believe) guide some of the action. And whatever crew is there to set up the challenges, the outhouses and the giant blow-up slide that was displayed in the latest episode. Yep, no adults except them (and the set child psychologists and ...).

So on to the show. First episode: The short of it is that the take-charge 14-year-old fast-talking Florida native Sophia got the first gold star and $20,000, while homesick 8-year-old Jimmy -- who, while on the bus, exclaimed, "I think I'm gonna die out here" -- decided not to chance it and went home. The long of it was a lot of setup done by creating a social structure and .. I'll just be lazy and let CBS tell you.

So, the most 'inflammatory' thing about the second episode of "Kid Nation" this week was a pop-up disclaimer before Greg, the oldest Kid Nationer, beheaded a couple of chickens.

"The following scene may be too intense for younger viewers."

Like the ones watching it live in Bonanza City?!? This could've done without the warning. The image may have been a bit jarring, but anyone watching the show knew it was going to happen. And that includes little Emilie, who protested but was eventually pushed aside by the chicken-soup craving horde.

Most of these kids are cute beyond reason (8-year-old Mallory helped start a stuffed-animal daycare center), and they're one-liner machines. Every time the camera is on Jared, just be ready.

A few lines from Episode 2:

• Savannah (talking about the yellow team): "They're just as lazy as a sack of potatoes."
• Jared (while holding a dead chicken): "It's the natural order of life!"
• Not sure if it was Emilie, but one of the kids who tried to protect the chickens: "[They're going to] gang up on us like they did Saddam Hussein!"
• Greg (foreshadowing trouble after he didn't win the gold star): "I thought it was pretty disrespectful, and I'm going to do something about it."

It's worth it to check out some of the bios that the kids created on CBS' site.  There are so many that some get lost, and this gives you more insight into what types of kids are trying to build this town.  More to come ...

-- Jevon Phillips

'Kid Nation': Finally frivolous

With news that the season will be ending Dec. 12, we should be looking for some signs that producers are stepping up the drama. With the new council (and their degrading ways) and next week's Sophia the Sheriff episode, seems like they're trying. Considering Sophia's popularity, it should help.

The almighty journal suggested that the districts study the history of Bonanza. Many kids came to get away from school, including Colton and Taylor, so this was not an enjoyable task for cerebrally challenged Blaine and the yellow district. The sunshine squad was in trouble.

The challenge? Pop balloons after guessing the correct answer to a trivia question on the town's history (knew it was coming). Of course, the smarties of the green district won the challenge, mostly thanks to Hunter's slingshot ability.  He needs a star, and should've gotten one a couple of episodes ago.

The reward?  Library vs. arcade. Hate to say it, but this was not even a choice at this point of the show. Dance Dance Revolution vs. an atlas?!? Time for Bonanza to boogie after 34 days -- all except Taylor, who was banned for inactivity. Finally she gets a real punishment, but too bad it took an arcade to force her to work.

But ... the arcade took over! Sophia commented that Bonanza was a "ghost town" as the kids spent all of their time there. So, at the town hall meeting, DK and the council recognized that the arcade was a big negative influence and decided to close it down until the pioneers finished their chores. To enforce the rule, Sophia was chosen sheriff.

Good choice, and good choice of another green team member, Hunter, as the gold star winner. We HAD to see Hunter's dad on the phone call home -- the guy who has been mentioned so much by his son as instilling in him a great work ethic and values.  Hunter should be a highlight on what's good about the show.

Laurel voted off the council?!?  Definitely uncalled for, but kids can be fickle.  One kid in the green district said that she was "losing her focus."  Weak excuse, and not true.  Despite her steadiness and Michael's likability, I sense a backlash coming from Laurel.  It came as she tried to cope with being "powerless," but it went quickly.

In other results: Greg easily took out Anjay. Guylan gives up his seat to DK, and Blaine beats out Zach.  Meet your new council, and be afraid.  Sophia: "I feel like somebody just won a presidential election with no background check."

Such a smarty, but maybe she and the green district are too smart?  Suddenly, the strongest district was set upon by the leaders of the other three districts for not being pro-town. We won't even talk about the stupid communication exercise that brain surgeon Blaine suggested, but suffice it to say the problems with the green group are much more due to faulty leaders  in the other districts than anything the green team did.

Former leader catch up:  Zach is feeling homesick. Guylan "feels like a train just got lifted off my chest." And Mike?  Well, he's a bit upset that Guylan took his seat only to give it up when it got too tough.

Taylor returns, or at least is back on camera.  The council decides that if she doesn't do more work the headstrong little girl won't reap the rewards of the challenge.  Ohhh . . . it doesn't seem to faze her.  Greg: "She thinks she's the princess of 'Bonanza.' "

The first flaw, the first chink in the solidly likeable armor that surrounds Laurel, was exposed in this episode.  Granted, it reared its green head as she was defending her teammates, but it left the door open to criticism and even a (gasp) coup.  But I'm getting ahead of myself ...

The book, the town journal that always seems to mess things up, did it again by directing the council to mix up the teams.  Established friendships and familiar teammates were shuffled.  Emilie from red to blue, Nathan from blue to red, and Blaine from blue to yellow.   The last move, separating best friends and strong-kid duo Greg and Blaine, pretty much sealed poor Anjay's fate as a council leader. It's not quite Child Island, but there was inter-district yelling and protests, especially in the red and blue teams.  Greg even reverted to bully mode, threatening to punch a frightened-looking Anjay in the face.

The challenge was hauling rocks. A team-building and town-building exercise. The blue team won. Guylan was yelled at by Sophia (which hurt his feelings), and the town missed out on getting beds or a party trailer.  Oh, and Blaine won the gold star.  Then the good stuff began.

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.

Where can you find kids, capitalism and cleanliness all on one show?  Why, on "Kid Nation," of course.  And despite objections from a former child star, the show is gearing up for its second season by taking applications for participants.

Divad starts it off by selling prepared food to get extra money -- food that everyone can get for free (except that she's cooked it for them). Jared is against it, and when he is rebuffed, he freaks out.  Never seen Jared physically get angry. It was quite a sight, and another reminder that these are, after all, just kids. He and Divad made up, though.

The town council was directed toward a cave housing a treasure chest full of buffalo nickels and, in typically right-thinking manner, bought community gifts for the town instead of just dividing up the loot.

Divad, Pharoah and Nathan receive the "golden" spotlight this episode.  It was anybody's guess who'd get it, but Divad's campaigning ways were sure to backfire.

One of the most sensible kids, DK, was the star this week.  His frustration at the kids being ... kids was palpable, and enough to make him say that's it. Luckily, new council member Guylan's little-brother shtick was enough to make him stay, and then be rewarded with the gold star.  As one reviewer put it, "whether you're a sinner (Taylor) or a saint (Morgan), everybody loves DK."

"Bonanza Is Disgusting"  is the title of this week's episode.  And though it was green through and through, one little girl continues to pollute the city.

Guylan and Zach got their first taste of leadership, and everyone got their first full glimpse of the evil that is a powerless Taylor.  A bit strong to say for a kid, you say?  Maybe, but the mischief that she creates disrupts the entire town.  Even her running mate, Leila, changed her mind and became a team player (for a while).  They tried to punish her, but that didn't work.  Such a brat .

On to the challenge ...

Seems like there's a revolution every week, but it finally happened: the council shake-up.  Taylor, the beauty queen who doesn't do dishes, is voted off the council, and Zach, the take-charge 10-year-old, takes his rightful position.  It was a long time coming.

But what the heck happened with boy scout Mike?!?

Guylan, the quiet Massachusetts kid who admires Fidel Castro, had only been quoted a few times all season.  A home-schooled 11-year-old with nothing to lose, he stepped up and grabbed the votes from the red team.  It was a total sweep.  It blindsided Mike, and it blindsided me.  Mike's been doing a good job.

In other election news, Laurel is totally loved, and Anjay withstood a challenge from snarky Olivia (some posit that she's mean toward Anjay because of his faith).  It's obvious the producers continue to introduce more and more societal structure into the camp (class, curfew, religion, elections), with each step bringing more chaos.  Or is it more order?

And after the bullying, graffiti and cursing, old man Greg finally gets a star.  His consoling of Sophie after Markell ripped up her campaign sign was probably what sealed it, but the kid's been working hard for a while now.  $20,000 for college.

First they (producers) added social structure to shake things up.  Now, the tried-and-true divider (and occasional uniter) religion is forced upon the kids.

The most interesting thing in this episode, besides the religious debate, was Cody swooning over his girlfriend.  He's 9!  Not to be callous about his emotions but ... 9?  With a girlfriend.  Hmmm ... maybe it says more about me than him that I'm surprised at his depth of emotion.  Moving on ...

Jewish kids stuck together in a "Jew crew," and a few of the Christians voiced their opinions ("Christians rule!").  Zach tried to explain Judaism but was shot down.  Not interested.

Then through the chaos stepped 12-year-old Morgan, the mobilizer (left).  Morgan, the mediator. Morgan, the mom.  She nicely asked the kids to join her in prayer after no one responded to the town council's decree.   In the episode's first tear-inducing moment, a kid named Pharoah spoke through tears about his appreciation for them all to be able to come together, Jews and Gentiles alike!

Cody was quoted early as saying, "It's just gonna all end in conflict, and I don't want to be part of it."  As if to bring that point home, in teary moment number two, he decides that's enough.  He misses his family too much, but is really sorry to leave.  This hits young Campbell, his best friend, really hard.  He later drowns his sorrows with a couple of shot glasses of root beer.  OK, on to the money!

Will it be Morgan ... will it be Zach ... Morgan ... Zach.  It's ... Morgan!

Challenge order:
Blue: Upperclass.  Greg, as usual, does the strong-man work.
Red: Merchants.
Yellow: Cooks.
Green: Laborers, again.

This week's challenge choice: A mini-golf course or a mini-library of holy books (Bible, Koran, etc.).  They took the books.  Curious, but it can open some eyes since we've seen lots of religious misunderstanding.  See, this show can be educational.

As critics continue to wonder why kids reality shows are being made, advertisers are watching and pitching in.  Among them, McDonald’s, PetSmart, Lysol and T-Mobile are the latest advertisers to take advantage of the show's 10,000-viewer jump in the 2-11 age group from week to week.  And advertisers aren't the only ones chiming in.

Naysayer: " 'Kid Nation' is, if not a bigger fraud [than the reality shows], certainly a more obvious one." -- Deseret Morning News

Praise-giver: "DVR 'Pushing Daisies' tomorrow, and watch 'Kid Nation' with your friends." -- Michigan Daily

And Taylor haters: "I'm with so many of the kids -- I want Yellow to lose so that Taylor will be a laborer." -- TV Squad

"A certain runty Mussolini needs to do more than drop some pity-me tears to hold onto office." -- Entertainment Weekly

Show quote: "People are being a little narrow minded here." -- Laurel

The show and the world, Laurel.  And speaking of the world, lots of people are not on the Taylor fan bus.

Photo: CBS.com

-- Jevon Phillips

One of the youngest "Kid Nation" participants, 9-year-old Mallory, right, celebrated her birthday by winning the gold star and $20,000 (to the delight of big sis Olivia).

A few other kids stepped into the spotlight.  Mallory and Olivia, Indianapolis native Morgan and tough guy Colton from Reno had cameras pointed their way this week. Morgan was considered for a gold star, and once again old man Greg was shut out.  He let a few expletives fly before the voting, which probably didn't help his chances.

Pouring salt in the wound was the council's announcement of a curfew!  How are a group of kids hopped up on chocolate and soda going to be able to stick to their 9:30 bedtime?  Only time will tell, and be sure that sleep-deprived kids will be even more testy when they're put in their place by their peers. Maybe Skeet Ulrich doesn't want to send Britney Spears' kids here.

And speaking of being put in her place ... beauty queen Taylor was pushed to tears when the kids (led by chef Sophia) called for her to step down and be nicer.  For a 10-year-old, she stirs up a lot of emotion (check out the rate-a-kid feature).

A random dust storm that knocked down a few outhouses led to Jared's latest rant.  To escape the twister, they have to build a time machine and ... wait.  What?

Add a couple more pellets to the controversy bucket.  The animal rights group Last Chance for Animals condemns the show for "staging" the chicken beheading.  I won't defend it, but I'm not gonna condemn it either.  It WAS pretty graphic.

It seems way too early to be talking about this, but there are reports that producers are having trouble finding a place to film "Kid Nation 2" (if it happens, which it should!).  They are actually looking at overseas locations, where the child labor laws may not be as strict.  Hmm ... there's lots of desert in Africa.  Or maybe a Siberian winter?  Here's a few choices:

This week's show quote comes from another Reno kid, Alex:  "Violence makes me feel very uneasy." Me, too, Alex.

Photo: CBS.com

-- Jevon Phillips

We'll get this out of the way. Everyone's had their pre-show opinions. Lots of people (including the Times) reviewed it, some even calling it "creepily unpleasant." And the ratings showed a solid, but not spectacular, beginning for a reality TV show (a 3.1 rating/9 share in adults ages 18-49 and 9.38 million viewers). "Kid Nation" is what sensible folk thought it would be: Lots of kids having what they think is a tough time making "a life" for themselves in the desert without adults. Except for the host, who never seems very far away.  And the cameramen who chronicle (and I believe) guide some of the action. And whatever crew is there to set up the challenges, the outhouses and the giant blow-up slide that was displayed in the latest episode. Yep, no adults except them (and the set child psychologists and ...).

So on to the show. First episode: The short of it is that the take-charge 14-year-old fast-talking Florida native Sophia got the first gold star and $20,000, while homesick 8-year-old Jimmy -- who, while on the bus, exclaimed, "I think I'm gonna die out here" -- decided not to chance it and went home. The long of it was a lot of setup done by creating a social structure and .. I'll just be lazy and let CBS tell you.

So, the most 'inflammatory' thing about the second episode of "Kid Nation" this week was a pop-up disclaimer before Greg, the oldest Kid Nationer, beheaded a couple of chickens.

"The following scene may be too intense for younger viewers."

Like the ones watching it live in Bonanza City?!? This could've done without the warning. The image may have been a bit jarring, but anyone watching the show knew it was going to happen. And that includes little Emilie, who protested but was eventually pushed aside by the chicken-soup craving horde.

Most of these kids are cute beyond reason (8-year-old Mallory helped start a stuffed-animal daycare center), and they're one-liner machines. Every time the camera is on Jared, just be ready.

A few lines from Episode 2:

• Savannah (talking about the yellow team): "They're just as lazy as a sack of potatoes."
• Jared (while holding a dead chicken): "It's the natural order of life!"
• Not sure if it was Emilie, but one of the kids who tried to protect the chickens: "[They're going to] gang up on us like they did Saddam Hussein!"
• Greg (foreshadowing trouble after he didn't win the gold star): "I thought it was pretty disrespectful, and I'm going to do something about it."

It's worth it to check out some of the bios that the kids created on CBS' site.  There are so many that some get lost, and this gives you more insight into what types of kids are trying to build this town.  More to come ...

-- Jevon Phillips

'Kid Nation': Laurel FINALLY gets gold

Laurel voted off the council?!?  Definitely uncalled for, but kids can be fickle.  One kid in the green district said that she was "losing her focus."  Weak excuse, and not true.  Despite her steadiness and Michael's likability, I sense a backlash coming from Laurel.  It came as she tried to cope with being "powerless," but it went quickly.

In other results: Greg easily took out Anjay. Guylan gives up his seat to DK, and Blaine beats out Zach.  Meet your new council, and be afraid.  Sophia: "I feel like somebody just won a presidential election with no background check."

Such a smarty, but maybe she and the green district are too smart?  Suddenly, the strongest district was set upon by the leaders of the other three districts for not being pro-town. We won't even talk about the stupid communication exercise that brain surgeon Blaine suggested, but suffice it to say the problems with the green group are much more due to faulty leaders  in the other districts than anything the green team did.

Former leader catch up:  Zach is feeling homesick. Guylan "feels like a train just got lifted off my chest." And Mike?  Well, he's a bit upset that Guylan took his seat only to give it up when it got too tough.

Taylor returns, or at least is back on camera.  The council decides that if she doesn't do more work the headstrong little girl won't reap the rewards of the challenge.  Ohhh . . . it doesn't seem to faze her.  Greg: "She thinks she's the princess of 'Bonanza.' "

The first flaw, the first chink in the solidly likeable armor that surrounds Laurel, was exposed in this episode.  Granted, it reared its green head as she was defending her teammates, but it left the door open to criticism and even a (gasp) coup.  But I'm getting ahead of myself ...

The book, the town journal that always seems to mess things up, did it again by directing the council to mix up the teams.  Established friendships and familiar teammates were shuffled.  Emilie from red to blue, Nathan from blue to red, and Blaine from blue to yellow.   The last move, separating best friends and strong-kid duo Greg and Blaine, pretty much sealed poor Anjay's fate as a council leader. It's not quite Child Island, but there was inter-district yelling and protests, especially in the red and blue teams.  Greg even reverted to bully mode, threatening to punch a frightened-looking Anjay in the face.

The challenge was hauling rocks. A team-building and town-building exercise. The blue team won. Guylan was yelled at by Sophia (which hurt his feelings), and the town missed out on getting beds or a party trailer.  Oh, and Blaine won the gold star.  Then the good stuff began.

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.

Where can you find kids, capitalism and cleanliness all on one show?  Why, on "Kid Nation," of course.  And despite objections from a former child star, the show is gearing up for its second season by taking applications for participants.

Divad starts it off by selling prepared food to get extra money -- food that everyone can get for free (except that she's cooked it for them). Jared is against it, and when he is rebuffed, he freaks out.  Never seen Jared physically get angry. It was quite a sight, and another reminder that these are, after all, just kids. He and Divad made up, though.

The town council was directed toward a cave housing a treasure chest full of buffalo nickels and, in typically right-thinking manner, bought community gifts for the town instead of just dividing up the loot.

Divad, Pharoah and Nathan receive the "golden" spotlight this episode.  It was anybody's guess who'd get it, but Divad's campaigning ways were sure to backfire.

One of the most sensible kids, DK, was the star this week.  His frustration at the kids being ... kids was palpable, and enough to make him say that's it. Luckily, new council member Guylan's little-brother shtick was enough to make him stay, and then be rewarded with the gold star.  As one reviewer put it, "whether you're a sinner (Taylor) or a saint (Morgan), everybody loves DK."

"Bonanza Is Disgusting"  is the title of this week's episode.  And though it was green through and through, one little girl continues to pollute the city.

Guylan and Zach got their first taste of leadership, and everyone got their first full glimpse of the evil that is a powerless Taylor.  A bit strong to say for a kid, you say?  Maybe, but the mischief that she creates disrupts the entire town.  Even her running mate, Leila, changed her mind and became a team player (for a while).  They tried to punish her, but that didn't work.  Such a brat .

On to the challenge ...

Seems like there's a revolution every week, but it finally happened: the council shake-up.  Taylor, the beauty queen who doesn't do dishes, is voted off the council, and Zach, the take-charge 10-year-old, takes his rightful position.  It was a long time coming.

But what the heck happened with boy scout Mike?!?

Guylan, the quiet Massachusetts kid who admires Fidel Castro, had only been quoted a few times all season.  A home-schooled 11-year-old with nothing to lose, he stepped up and grabbed the votes from the red team.  It was a total sweep.  It blindsided Mike, and it blindsided me.  Mike's been doing a good job.

In other election news, Laurel is totally loved, and Anjay withstood a challenge from snarky Olivia (some posit that she's mean toward Anjay because of his faith).  It's obvious the producers continue to introduce more and more societal structure into the camp (class, curfew, religion, elections), with each step bringing more chaos.  Or is it more order?

And after the bullying, graffiti and cursing, old man Greg finally gets a star.  His consoling of Sophie after Markell ripped up her campaign sign was probably what sealed it, but the kid's been working hard for a while now.  $20,000 for college.

First they (producers) added social structure to shake things up.  Now, the tried-and-true divider (and occasional uniter) religion is forced upon the kids.

The most interesting thing in this episode, besides the religious debate, was Cody swooning over his girlfriend.  He's 9!  Not to be callous about his emotions but ... 9?  With a girlfriend.  Hmmm ... maybe it says more about me than him that I'm surprised at his depth of emotion.  Moving on ...

Jewish kids stuck together in a "Jew crew," and a few of the Christians voiced their opinions ("Christians rule!").  Zach tried to explain Judaism but was shot down.  Not interested.

Then through the chaos stepped 12-year-old Morgan, the mobilizer (left).  Morgan, the mediator. Morgan, the mom.  She nicely asked the kids to join her in prayer after no one responded to the town council's decree.   In the episode's first tear-inducing moment, a kid named Pharoah spoke through tears about his appreciation for them all to be able to come together, Jews and Gentiles alike!

Cody was quoted early as saying, "It's just gonna all end in conflict, and I don't want to be part of it."  As if to bring that point home, in teary moment number two, he decides that's enough.  He misses his family too much, but is really sorry to leave.  This hits young Campbell, his best friend, really hard.  He later drowns his sorrows with a couple of shot glasses of root beer.  OK, on to the money!

Will it be Morgan ... will it be Zach ... Morgan ... Zach.  It's ... Morgan!

Challenge order:
Blue: Upperclass.  Greg, as usual, does the strong-man work.
Red: Merchants.
Yellow: Cooks.
Green: Laborers, again.

This week's challenge choice: A mini-golf course or a mini-library of holy books (Bible, Koran, etc.).  They took the books.  Curious, but it can open some eyes since we've seen lots of religious misunderstanding.  See, this show can be educational.

As critics continue to wonder why kids reality shows are being made, advertisers are watching and pitching in.  Among them, McDonald’s, PetSmart, Lysol and T-Mobile are the latest advertisers to take advantage of the show's 10,000-viewer jump in the 2-11 age group from week to week.  And advertisers aren't the only ones chiming in.

Naysayer: " 'Kid Nation' is, if not a bigger fraud [than the reality shows], certainly a more obvious one." -- Deseret Morning News

Praise-giver: "DVR 'Pushing Daisies' tomorrow, and watch 'Kid Nation' with your friends." -- Michigan Daily

And Taylor haters: "I'm with so many of the kids -- I want Yellow to lose so that Taylor will be a laborer." -- TV Squad

"A certain runty Mussolini needs to do more than drop some pity-me tears to hold onto office." -- Entertainment Weekly

Show quote: "People are being a little narrow minded here." -- Laurel

The show and the world, Laurel.  And speaking of the world, lots of people are not on the Taylor fan bus.

Photo: CBS.com

-- Jevon Phillips

One of the youngest "Kid Nation" participants, 9-year-old Mallory, right, celebrated her birthday by winning the gold star and $20,000 (to the delight of big sis Olivia).

A few other kids stepped into the spotlight.  Mallory and Olivia, Indianapolis native Morgan and tough guy Colton from Reno had cameras pointed their way this week. Morgan was considered for a gold star, and once again old man Greg was shut out.  He let a few expletives fly before the voting, which probably didn't help his chances.

Pouring salt in the wound was the council's announcement of a curfew!  How are a group of kids hopped up on chocolate and soda going to be able to stick to their 9:30 bedtime?  Only time will tell, and be sure that sleep-deprived kids will be even more testy when they're put in their place by their peers. Maybe Skeet Ulrich doesn't want to send Britney Spears' kids here.

And speaking of being put in her place ... beauty queen Taylor was pushed to tears when the kids (led by chef Sophia) called for her to step down and be nicer.  For a 10-year-old, she stirs up a lot of emotion (check out the rate-a-kid feature).

A random dust storm that knocked down a few outhouses led to Jared's latest rant.  To escape the twister, they have to build a time machine and ... wait.  What?

Add a couple more pellets to the controversy bucket.  The animal rights group Last Chance for Animals condemns the show for "staging" the chicken beheading.  I won't defend it, but I'm not gonna condemn it either.  It WAS pretty graphic.

It seems way too early to be talking about this, but there are reports that producers are having trouble finding a place to film "Kid Nation 2" (if it happens, which it should!).  They are actually looking at overseas locations, where the child labor laws may not be as strict.  Hmm ... there's lots of desert in Africa.  Or maybe a Siberian winter?  Here's a few choices:

This week's show quote comes from another Reno kid, Alex:  "Violence makes me feel very uneasy." Me, too, Alex.

Photo: CBS.com

-- Jevon Phillips

We'll get this out of the way. Everyone's had their pre-show opinions. Lots of people (including the Times) reviewed it, some even calling it "creepily unpleasant." And the ratings showed a solid, but not spectacular, beginning for a reality TV show (a 3.1 rating/9 share in adults ages 18-49 and 9.38 million viewers). "Kid Nation" is what sensible folk thought it would be: Lots of kids having what they think is a tough time making "a life" for themselves in the desert without adults. Except for the host, who never seems very far away.  And the cameramen who chronicle (and I believe) guide some of the action. And whatever crew is there to set up the challenges, the outhouses and the giant blow-up slide that was displayed in the latest episode. Yep, no adults except them (and the set child psychologists and ...).

So on to the show. First episode: The short of it is that the take-charge 14-year-old fast-talking Florida native Sophia got the first gold star and $20,000, while homesick 8-year-old Jimmy -- who, while on the bus, exclaimed, "I think I'm gonna die out here" -- decided not to chance it and went home. The long of it was a lot of setup done by creating a social structure and .. I'll just be lazy and let CBS tell you.

So, the most 'inflammatory' thing about the second episode of "Kid Nation" this week was a pop-up disclaimer before Greg, the oldest Kid Nationer, beheaded a couple of chickens.

"The following scene may be too intense for younger viewers."

Like the ones watching it live in Bonanza City?!? This could've done without the warning. The image may have been a bit jarring, but anyone watching the show knew it was going to happen. And that includes little Emilie, who protested but was eventually pushed aside by the chicken-soup craving horde.

Most of these kids are cute beyond reason (8-year-old Mallory helped start a stuffed-animal daycare center), and they're one-liner machines. Every time the camera is on Jared, just be ready.

A few lines from Episode 2:

• Savannah (talking about the yellow team): "They're just as lazy as a sack of potatoes."
• Jared (while holding a dead chicken): "It's the natural order of life!"
• Not sure if it was Emilie, but one of the kids who tried to protect the chickens: "[They're going to] gang up on us like they did Saddam Hussein!"
• Greg (foreshadowing trouble after he didn't win the gold star): "I thought it was pretty disrespectful, and I'm going to do something about it."

It's worth it to check out some of the bios that the kids created on CBS' site.  There are so many that some get lost, and this gives you more insight into what types of kids are trying to build this town.  More to come ...

-- Jevon Phillips

'Kid Nation' mixes, but does it match?

The first flaw, the first chink in the solidly likeable armor that surrounds Laurel, was exposed in this episode.  Granted, it reared its green head as she was defending her teammates, but it left the door open to criticism and even a (gasp) coup.  But I'm getting ahead of myself ...

The book, the town journal that always seems to mess things up, did it again by directing the council to mix up the teams.  Established friendships and familiar teammates were shuffled.  Emilie from red to blue, Nathan from blue to red, and Blaine from blue to yellow.   The last move, separating best friends and strong-kid duo Greg and Blaine, pretty much sealed poor Anjay's fate as a council leader. It's not quite Child Island, but there was inter-district yelling and protests, especially in the red and blue teams.  Greg even reverted to bully mode, threatening to punch a frightened-looking Anjay in the face.

The challenge was hauling rocks. A team-building and town-building exercise. The blue team won. Guylan was yelled at by Sophia (which hurt his feelings), and the town missed out on getting beds or a party trailer.  Oh, and Blaine won the gold star.  Then the good stuff began.

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.

Where can you find kids, capitalism and cleanliness all on one show?  Why, on "Kid Nation," of course.  And despite objections from a former child star, the show is gearing up for its second season by taking applications for participants.

Divad starts it off by selling prepared food to get extra money -- food that everyone can get for free (except that she's cooked it for them). Jared is against it, and when he is rebuffed, he freaks out.  Never seen Jared physically get angry. It was quite a sight, and another reminder that these are, after all, just kids. He and Divad made up, though.

The town council was directed toward a cave housing a treasure chest full of buffalo nickels and, in typically right-thinking manner, bought community gifts for the town instead of just dividing up the loot.

Divad, Pharoah and Nathan receive the "golden" spotlight this episode.  It was anybody's guess who'd get it, but Divad's campaigning ways were sure to backfire.

One of the most sensible kids, DK, was the star this week.  His frustration at the kids being ... kids was palpable, and enough to make him say that's it. Luckily, new council member Guylan's little-brother shtick was enough to make him stay, and then be rewarded with the gold star.  As one reviewer put it, "whether you're a sinner (Taylor) or a saint (Morgan), everybody loves DK."

"Bonanza Is Disgusting"  is the title of this week's episode.  And though it was green through and through, one little girl continues to pollute the city.

Guylan and Zach got their first taste of leadership, and everyone got their first full glimpse of the evil that is a powerless Taylor.  A bit strong to say for a kid, you say?  Maybe, but the mischief that she creates disrupts the entire town.  Even her running mate, Leila, changed her mind and became a team player (for a while).  They tried to punish her, but that didn't work.  Such a brat .

On to the challenge ...

Seems like there's a revolution every week, but it finally happened: the council shake-up.  Taylor, the beauty queen who doesn't do dishes, is voted off the council, and Zach, the take-charge 10-year-old, takes his rightful position.  It was a long time coming.

But what the heck happened with boy scout Mike?!?

Guylan, the quiet Massachusetts kid who admires Fidel Castro, had only been quoted a few times all season.  A home-schooled 11-year-old with nothing to lose, he stepped up and grabbed the votes from the red team.  It was a total sweep.  It blindsided Mike, and it blindsided me.  Mike's been doing a good job.

In other election news, Laurel is totally loved, and Anjay withstood a challenge from snarky Olivia (some posit that she's mean toward Anjay because of his faith).  It's obvious the producers continue to introduce more and more societal structure into the camp (class, curfew, religion, elections), with each step bringing more chaos.  Or is it more order?

And after the bullying, graffiti and cursing, old man Greg finally gets a star.  His consoling of Sophie after Markell ripped up her campaign sign was probably what sealed it, but the kid's been working hard for a while now.  $20,000 for college.

First they (producers) added social structure to shake things up.  Now, the tried-and-true divider (and occasional uniter) religion is forced upon the kids.

The most interesting thing in this episode, besides the religious debate, was Cody swooning over his girlfriend.  He's 9!  Not to be callous about his emotions but ... 9?  With a girlfriend.  Hmmm ... maybe it says more about me than him that I'm surprised at his depth of emotion.  Moving on ...

Jewish kids stuck together in a "Jew crew," and a few of the Christians voiced their opinions ("Christians rule!").  Zach tried to explain Judaism but was shot down.  Not interested.

Then through the chaos stepped 12-year-old Morgan, the mobilizer (left).  Morgan, the mediator. Morgan, the mom.  She nicely asked the kids to join her in prayer after no one responded to the town council's decree.   In the episode's first tear-inducing moment, a kid named Pharoah spoke through tears about his appreciation for them all to be able to come together, Jews and Gentiles alike!

Cody was quoted early as saying, "It's just gonna all end in conflict, and I don't want to be part of it."  As if to bring that point home, in teary moment number two, he decides that's enough.  He misses his family too much, but is really sorry to leave.  This hits young Campbell, his best friend, really hard.  He later drowns his sorrows with a couple of shot glasses of root beer.  OK, on to the money!

Will it be Morgan ... will it be Zach ... Morgan ... Zach.  It's ... Morgan!

Challenge order:
Blue: Upperclass.  Greg, as usual, does the strong-man work.
Red: Merchants.
Yellow: Cooks.
Green: Laborers, again.

This week's challenge choice: A mini-golf course or a mini-library of holy books (Bible, Koran, etc.).  They took the books.  Curious, but it can open some eyes since we've seen lots of religious misunderstanding.  See, this show can be educational.

As critics continue to wonder why kids reality shows are being made, advertisers are watching and pitching in.  Among them, McDonald’s, PetSmart, Lysol and T-Mobile are the latest advertisers to take advantage of the show's 10,000-viewer jump in the 2-11 age group from week to week.  And advertisers aren't the only ones chiming in.

Naysayer: " 'Kid Nation' is, if not a bigger fraud [than the reality shows], certainly a more obvious one." -- Deseret Morning News

Praise-giver: "DVR 'Pushing Daisies' tomorrow, and watch 'Kid Nation' with your friends." -- Michigan Daily

And Taylor haters: "I'm with so many of the kids -- I want Yellow to lose so that Taylor will be a laborer." -- TV Squad

"A certain runty Mussolini needs to do more than drop some pity-me tears to hold onto office." -- Entertainment Weekly

Show quote: "People are being a little narrow minded here." -- Laurel

The show and the world, Laurel.  And speaking of the world, lots of people are not on the Taylor fan bus.

Photo: CBS.com

-- Jevon Phillips

One of the youngest "Kid Nation" participants, 9-year-old Mallory, right, celebrated her birthday by winning the gold star and $20,000 (to the delight of big sis Olivia).

A few other kids stepped into the spotlight.  Mallory and Olivia, Indianapolis native Morgan and tough guy Colton from Reno had cameras pointed their way this week. Morgan was considered for a gold star, and once again old man Greg was shut out.  He let a few expletives fly before the voting, which probably didn't help his chances.

Pouring salt in the wound was the council's announcement of a curfew!  How are a group of kids hopped up on chocolate and soda going to be able to stick to their 9:30 bedtime?  Only time will tell, and be sure that sleep-deprived kids will be even more testy when they're put in their place by their peers. Maybe Skeet Ulrich doesn't want to send Britney Spears' kids here.

And speaking of being put in her place ... beauty queen Taylor was pushed to tears when the kids (led by chef Sophia) called for her to step down and be nicer.  For a 10-year-old, she stirs up a lot of emotion (check out the rate-a-kid feature).

A random dust storm that knocked down a few outhouses led to Jared's latest rant.  To escape the twister, they have to build a time machine and ... wait.  What?

Add a couple more pellets to the controversy bucket.  The animal rights group Last Chance for Animals condemns the show for "staging" the chicken beheading.  I won't defend it, but I'm not gonna condemn it either.  It WAS pretty graphic.

It seems way too early to be talking about this, but there are reports that producers are having trouble finding a place to film "Kid Nation 2" (if it happens, which it should!).  They are actually looking at overseas locations, where the child labor laws may not be as strict.  Hmm ... there's lots of desert in Africa.  Or maybe a Siberian winter?  Here's a few choices:

This week's show quote comes from another Reno kid, Alex:  "Violence makes me feel very uneasy." Me, too, Alex.

Photo: CBS.com

-- Jevon Phillips

We'll get this out of the way. Everyone's had their pre-show opinions. Lots of people (including the Times) reviewed it, some even calling it "creepily unpleasant." And the ratings showed a solid, but not spectacular, beginning for a reality TV show (a 3.1 rating/9 share in adults ages 18-49 and 9.38 million viewers). "Kid Nation" is what sensible folk thought it would be: Lots of kids having what they think is a tough time making "a life" for themselves in the desert without adults. Except for the host, who never seems very far away.  And the cameramen who chronicle (and I believe) guide some of the action. And whatever crew is there to set up the challenges, the outhouses and the giant blow-up slide that was displayed in the latest episode. Yep, no adults except them (and the set child psychologists and ...).

So on to the show. First episode: The short of it is that the take-charge 14-year-old fast-talking Florida native Sophia got the first gold star and $20,000, while homesick 8-year-old Jimmy -- who, while on the bus, exclaimed, "I think I'm gonna die out here" -- decided not to chance it and went home. The long of it was a lot of setup done by creating a social structure and .. I'll just be lazy and let CBS tell you.

So, the most 'inflammatory' thing about the second episode of "Kid Nation" this week was a pop-up disclaimer before Greg, the oldest Kid Nationer, beheaded a couple of chickens.

"The following scene may be too intense for younger viewers."

Like the ones watching it live in Bonanza City?!? This could've done without the warning. The image may have been a bit jarring, but anyone watching the show knew it was going to happen. And that includes little Emilie, who protested but was eventually pushed aside by the chicken-soup craving horde.

Most of these kids are cute beyond reason (8-year-old Mallory helped start a stuffed-animal daycare center), and they're one-liner machines. Every time the camera is on Jared, just be ready.

A few lines from Episode 2:

• Savannah (talking about the yellow team): "They're just as lazy as a sack of potatoes."
• Jared (while holding a dead chicken): "It's the natural order of life!"
• Not sure if it was Emilie, but one of the kids who tried to protect the chickens: "[They're going to] gang up on us like they did Saddam Hussein!"
• Greg (foreshadowing trouble after he didn't win the gold star): "I thought it was pretty disrespectful, and I'm going to do something about it."

It's worth it to check out some of the bios that the kids created on CBS' site.  There are so many that some get lost, and this gives you more insight into what types of kids are trying to build this town.  More to come ...

-- Jevon Phillips

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.

Where can you find kids, capitalism and cleanliness all on one show?  Why, on "Kid Nation," of course.  And despite objections from a former child star, the show is gearing up for its second season by taking applications for participants.

Divad starts it off by selling prepared food to get extra money -- food that everyone can get for free (except that she's cooked it for them). Jared is against it, and when he is rebuffed, he freaks out.  Never seen Jared physically get angry. It was quite a sight, and another reminder that these are, after all, just kids. He and Divad made up, though.

The town council was directed toward a cave housing a treasure chest full of buffalo nickels and, in typically right-thinking manner, bought community gifts for the town instead of just dividing up the loot.

Divad, Pharoah and Nathan receive the "golden" spotlight this episode.  It was anybody's guess who'd get it, but Divad's campaigning ways were sure to backfire.

One of the most sensible kids, DK, was the star this week.  His frustration at the kids being ... kids was palpable, and enough to make him say that's it. Luckily, new council member Guylan's little-brother shtick was enough to make him stay, and then be rewarded with the gold star.  As one reviewer put it, "whether you're a sinner (Taylor) or a saint (Morgan), everybody loves DK."

"Bonanza Is Disgusting"  is the title of this week's episode.  And though it was green through and through, one little girl continues to pollute the city.

Guylan and Zach got their first taste of leadership, and everyone got their first full glimpse of the evil that is a powerless Taylor.  A bit strong to say for a kid, you say?  Maybe, but the mischief that she creates disrupts the entire town.  Even her running mate, Leila, changed her mind and became a team player (for a while).  They tried to punish her, but that didn't work.  Such a brat .

On to the challenge ...

Seems like there's a revolution every week, but it finally happened: the council shake-up.  Taylor, the beauty queen who doesn't do dishes, is voted off the council, and Zach, the take-charge 10-year-old, takes his rightful position.  It was a long time coming.

But what the heck happened with boy scout Mike?!?

Guylan, the quiet Massachusetts kid who admires Fidel Castro, had only been quoted a few times all season.  A home-schooled 11-year-old with nothing to lose, he stepped up and grabbed the votes from the red team.  It was a total sweep.  It blindsided Mike, and it blindsided me.  Mike's been doing a good job.

In other election news, Laurel is totally loved, and Anjay withstood a challenge from snarky Olivia (some posit that she's mean toward Anjay because of his faith).  It's obvious the producers continue to introduce more and more societal structure into the camp (class, curfew, religion, elections), with each step bringing more chaos.  Or is it more order?

And after the bullying, graffiti and cursing, old man Greg finally gets a star.  His consoling of Sophie after Markell ripped up her campaign sign was probably what sealed it, but the kid's been working hard for a while now.  $20,000 for college.

First they (producers) added social structure to shake things up.  Now, the tried-and-true divider (and occasional uniter) religion is forced upon the kids.

The most interesting thing in this episode, besides the religious debate, was Cody swooning over his girlfriend.  He's 9!  Not to be callous about his emotions but ... 9?  With a girlfriend.  Hmmm ... maybe it says more about me than him that I'm surprised at his depth of emotion.  Moving on ...

Jewish kids stuck together in a "Jew crew," and a few of the Christians voiced their opinions ("Christians rule!").  Zach tried to explain Judaism but was shot down.  Not interested.

Then through the chaos stepped 12-year-old Morgan, the mobilizer (left).  Morgan, the mediator. Morgan, the mom.  She nicely asked the kids to join her in prayer after no one responded to the town council's decree.   In the episode's first tear-inducing moment, a kid named Pharoah spoke through tears about his appreciation for them all to be able to come together, Jews and Gentiles alike!

Cody was quoted early as saying, "It's just gonna all end in conflict, and I don't want to be part of it."  As if to bring that point home, in teary moment number two, he decides that's enough.  He misses his family too much, but is really sorry to leave.  This hits young Campbell, his best friend, really hard.  He later drowns his sorrows with a couple of shot glasses of root beer.  OK, on to the money!

Will it be Morgan ... will it be Zach ... Morgan ... Zach.  It's ... Morgan!

Challenge order:
Blue: Upperclass.  Greg, as usual, does the strong-man work.
Red: Merchants.
Yellow: Cooks.
Green: Laborers, again.

This week's challenge choice: A mini-golf course or a mini-library of holy books (Bible, Koran, etc.).  They took the books.  Curious, but it can open some eyes since we've seen lots of religious misunderstanding.  See, this show can be educational.

As critics continue to wonder why kids reality shows are being made, advertisers are watching and pitching in.  Among them, McDonald’s, PetSmart, Lysol and T-Mobile are the latest advertisers to take advantage of the show's 10,000-viewer jump in the 2-11 age group from week to week.  And advertisers aren't the only ones chiming in.

Naysayer: " 'Kid Nation' is, if not a bigger fraud [than the reality shows], certainly a more obvious one." -- Deseret Morning News

Praise-giver: "DVR 'Pushing Daisies' tomorrow, and watch 'Kid Nation' with your friends." -- Michigan Daily

And Taylor haters: "I'm with so many of the kids -- I want Yellow to lose so that Taylor will be a laborer." -- TV Squad

"A certain runty Mussolini needs to do more than drop some pity-me tears to hold onto office." -- Entertainment Weekly

Show quote: "People are being a little narrow minded here." -- Laurel

The show and the world, Laurel.  And speaking of the world, lots of people are not on the Taylor fan bus.

Photo: CBS.com

-- Jevon Phillips

One of the youngest "Kid Nation" participants, 9-year-old Mallory, right, celebrated her birthday by winning the gold star and $20,000 (to the delight of big sis Olivia).

A few other kids stepped into the spotlight.  Mallory and Olivia, Indianapolis native Morgan and tough guy Colton from Reno had cameras pointed their way this week. Morgan was considered for a gold star, and once again old man Greg was shut out.  He let a few expletives fly before the voting, which probably didn't help his chances.

Pouring salt in the wound was the council's announcement of a curfew!  How are a group of kids hopped up on chocolate and soda going to be able to stick to their 9:30 bedtime?  Only time will tell, and be sure that sleep-deprived kids will be even more testy when they're put in their place by their peers. Maybe Skeet Ulrich doesn't want to send Britney Spears' kids here.

And speaking of being put in her place ... beauty queen Taylor was pushed to tears when the kids (led by chef Sophia) called for her to step down and be nicer.  For a 10-year-old, she stirs up a lot of emotion (check out the rate-a-kid feature).

A random dust storm that knocked down a few outhouses led to Jared's latest rant.  To escape the twister, they have to build a time machine and ... wait.  What?

Add a couple more pellets to the controversy bucket.  The animal rights group Last Chance for Animals condemns the show for "staging" the chicken beheading.  I won't defend it, but I'm not gonna condemn it either.  It WAS pretty graphic.

It seems way too early to be talking about this, but there are reports that producers are having trouble finding a place to film "Kid Nation 2" (if it happens, which it should!).  They are actually looking at overseas locations, where the child labor laws may not be as strict.  Hmm ... there's lots of desert in Africa.  Or maybe a Siberian winter?  Here's a few choices:

This week's show quote comes from another Reno kid, Alex:  "Violence makes me feel very uneasy." Me, too, Alex.

Photo: CBS.com

-- Jevon Phillips

We'll get this out of the way. Everyone's had their pre-show opinions. Lots of people (including the Times) reviewed it, some even calling it "creepily unpleasant." And the ratings showed a solid, but not spectacular, beginning for a reality TV show (a 3.1 rating/9 share in adults ages 18-49 and 9.38 million viewers). "Kid Nation" is what sensible folk thought it would be: Lots of kids having what they think is a tough time making "a life" for themselves in the desert without adults. Except for the host, who never seems very far away.  And the cameramen who chronicle (and I believe) guide some of the action. And whatever crew is there to set up the challenges, the outhouses and the giant blow-up slide that was displayed in the latest episode. Yep, no adults except them (and the set child psychologists and ...).

So on to the show. First episode: The short of it is that the take-charge 14-year-old fast-talking Florida native Sophia got the first gold star and $20,000, while homesick 8-year-old Jimmy -- who, while on the bus, exclaimed, "I think I'm gonna die out here" -- decided not to chance it and went home. The long of it was a lot of setup done by creating a social structure and .. I'll just be lazy and let CBS tell you.

So, the most 'inflammatory' thing about the second episode of "Kid Nation" this week was a pop-up disclaimer before Greg, the oldest Kid Nationer, beheaded a couple of chickens.

"The following scene may be too intense for younger viewers."

Like the ones watching it live in Bonanza City?!? This could've done without the warning. The image may have been a bit jarring, but anyone watching the show knew it was going to happen. And that includes little Emilie, who protested but was eventually pushed aside by the chicken-soup craving horde.

Most of these kids are cute beyond reason (8-year-old Mallory helped start a stuffed-animal daycare center), and they're one-liner machines. Every time the camera is on Jared, just be ready.

A few lines from Episode 2:

• Savannah (talking about the yellow team): "They're just as lazy as a sack of potatoes."
• Jared (while holding a dead chicken): "It's the natural order of life!"
• Not sure if it was Emilie, but one of the kids who tried to protect the chickens: "[They're going to] gang up on us like they did Saddam Hussein!"
• Greg (foreshadowing trouble after he didn't win the gold star): "I thought it was pretty disrespectful, and I'm going to do something about it."

It's worth it to check out some of the bios that the kids created on CBS' site.  There are so many that some get lost, and this gives you more insight into what types of kids are trying to build this town.  More to come ...

-- Jevon Phillips

Greed comes a-calling on 'Kid Nation'

Where can you find kids, capitalism and cleanliness all on one show?  Why, on "Kid Nation," of course.  And despite objections from a former child star, the show is gearing up for its second season by taking applications for participants.

Divad starts it off by selling prepared food to get extra money -- food that everyone can get for free (except that she's cooked it for them). Jared is against it, and when he is rebuffed, he freaks out.  Never seen Jared physically get angry. It was quite a sight, and another reminder that these are, after all, just kids. He and Divad made up, though.

The town council was directed toward a cave housing a treasure chest full of buffalo nickels and, in typically right-thinking manner, bought community gifts for the town instead of just dividing up the loot.

Divad, Pharoah and Nathan receive the "golden" spotlight this episode.  It was anybody's guess who'd get it, but Divad's campaigning ways were sure to backfire.

One of the most sensible kids, DK, was the star this week.  His frustration at the kids being ... kids was palpable, and enough to make him say that's it. Luckily, new council member Guylan's little-brother shtick was enough to make him stay, and then be rewarded with the gold star.  As one reviewer put it, "whether you're a sinner (Taylor) or a saint (Morgan), everybody loves DK."

"Bonanza Is Disgusting"  is the title of this week's episode.  And though it was green through and through, one little girl continues to pollute the city.

Guylan and Zach got their first taste of leadership, and everyone got their first full glimpse of the evil that is a powerless Taylor.  A bit strong to say for a kid, you say?  Maybe, but the mischief that she creates disrupts the entire town.  Even her running mate, Leila, changed her mind and became a team player (for a while).  They tried to punish her, but that didn't work.  Such a brat .

On to the challenge ...

Seems like there's a revolution every week, but it finally happened: the council shake-up.  Taylor, the beauty queen who doesn't do dishes, is voted off the council, and Zach, the take-charge 10-year-old, takes his rightful position.  It was a long time coming.

But what the heck happened with boy scout Mike?!?

Guylan, the quiet Massachusetts kid who admires Fidel Castro, had only been quoted a few times all season.  A home-schooled 11-year-old with nothing to lose, he stepped up and grabbed the votes from the red team.  It was a total sweep.  It blindsided Mike, and it blindsided me.  Mike's been doing a good job.

In other election news, Laurel is totally loved, and Anjay withstood a challenge from snarky Olivia (some posit that she's mean toward Anjay because of his faith).  It's obvious the producers continue to introduce more and more societal structure into the camp (class, curfew, religion, elections), with each step bringing more chaos.  Or is it more order?

And after the bullying, graffiti and cursing, old man Greg finally gets a star.  His consoling of Sophie after Markell ripped up her campaign sign was probably what sealed it, but the kid's been working hard for a while now.  $20,000 for college.

First they (producers) added social structure to shake things up.  Now, the tried-and-true divider (and occasional uniter) religion is forced upon the kids.

The most interesting thing in this episode, besides the religious debate, was Cody swooning over his girlfriend.  He's 9!  Not to be callous about his emotions but ... 9?  With a girlfriend.  Hmmm ... maybe it says more about me than him that I'm surprised at his depth of emotion.  Moving on ...

Jewish kids stuck together in a "Jew crew," and a few of the Christians voiced their opinions ("Christians rule!").  Zach tried to explain Judaism but was shot down.  Not interested.

Then through the chaos stepped 12-year-old Morgan, the mobilizer (left).  Morgan, the mediator. Morgan, the mom.  She nicely asked the kids to join her in prayer after no one responded to the town council's decree.   In the episode's first tear-inducing moment, a kid named Pharoah spoke through tears about his appreciation for them all to be able to come together, Jews and Gentiles alike!

Cody was quoted early as saying, "It's just gonna all end in conflict, and I don't want to be part of it."  As if to bring that point home, in teary moment number two, he decides that's enough.  He misses his family too much, but is really sorry to leave.  This hits young Campbell, his best friend, really hard.  He later drowns his sorrows with a couple of shot glasses of root beer.  OK, on to the money!

Will it be Morgan ... will it be Zach ... Morgan ... Zach.  It's ... Morgan!

Challenge order:
Blue: Upperclass.  Greg, as usual, does the strong-man work.
Red: Merchants.
Yellow: Cooks.
Green: Laborers, again.

This week's challenge choice: A mini-golf course or a mini-library of holy books (Bible, Koran, etc.).  They took the books.  Curious, but it can open some eyes since we've seen lots of religious misunderstanding.  See, this show can be educational.

As critics continue to wonder why kids reality shows are being made, advertisers are watching and pitching in.  Among them, McDonald’s, PetSmart, Lysol and T-Mobile are the latest advertisers to take advantage of the show's 10,000-viewer jump in the 2-11 age group from week to week.  And advertisers aren't the only ones chiming in.

Naysayer: " 'Kid Nation' is, if not a bigger fraud [than the reality shows], certainly a more obvious one." -- Deseret Morning News

Praise-giver: "DVR 'Pushing Daisies' tomorrow, and watch 'Kid Nation' with your friends." -- Michigan Daily

And Taylor haters: "I'm with so many of the kids -- I want Yellow to lose so that Taylor will be a laborer." -- TV Squad

"A certain runty Mussolini needs to do more than drop some pity-me tears to hold onto office." -- Entertainment Weekly

Show quote: "People are being a little narrow minded here." -- Laurel

The show and the world, Laurel.  And speaking of the world, lots of people are not on the Taylor fan bus.

Photo: CBS.com

-- Jevon Phillips

One of the youngest "Kid Nation" participants, 9-year-old Mallory, right, celebrated her birthday by winning the gold star and $20,000 (to the delight of big sis Olivia).

A few other kids stepped into the spotlight.  Mallory and Olivia, Indianapolis native Morgan and tough guy Colton from Reno had cameras pointed their way this week. Morgan was considered for a gold star, and once again old man Greg was shut out.  He let a few expletives fly before the voting, which probably didn't help his chances.

Pouring salt in the wound was the council's announcement of a curfew!  How are a group of kids hopped up on chocolate and soda going to be able to stick to their 9:30 bedtime?  Only time will tell, and be sure that sleep-deprived kids will be even more testy when they're put in their place by their peers. Maybe Skeet Ulrich doesn't want to send Britney Spears' kids here.

And speaking of being put in her place ... beauty queen Taylor was pushed to tears when the kids (led by chef Sophia) called for her to step down and be nicer.  For a 10-year-old, she stirs up a lot of emotion (check out the rate-a-kid feature).

A random dust storm that knocked down a few outhouses led to Jared's latest rant.  To escape the twister, they have to build a time machine and ... wait.  What?

Add a couple more pellets to the controversy bucket.  The animal rights group Last Chance for Animals condemns the show for "staging" the chicken beheading.  I won't defend it, but I'm not gonna condemn it either.  It WAS pretty graphic.

It seems way too early to be talking about this, but there are reports that producers are having trouble finding a place to film "Kid Nation 2" (if it happens, which it should!).  They are actually looking at overseas locations, where the child labor laws may not be as strict.  Hmm ... there's lots of desert in Africa.  Or maybe a Siberian winter?  Here's a few choices:

This week's show quote comes from another Reno kid, Alex:  "Violence makes me feel very uneasy." Me, too, Alex.

Photo: CBS.com

-- Jevon Phillips

We'll get this out of the way. Everyone's had their pre-show opinions. Lots of people (including the Times) reviewed it, some even calling it "creepily unpleasant." And the ratings showed a solid, but not spectacular, beginning for a reality TV show (a 3.1 rating/9 share in adults ages 18-49 and 9.38 million viewers). "Kid Nation" is what sensible folk thought it would be: Lots of kids having what they think is a tough time making "a life" for themselves in the desert without adults. Except for the host, who never seems very far away.  And the cameramen who chronicle (and I believe) guide some of the action. And whatever crew is there to set up the challenges, the outhouses and the giant blow-up slide that was displayed in the latest episode. Yep, no adults except them (and the set child psychologists and ...).

So on to the show. First episode: The short of it is that the take-charge 14-year-old fast-talking Florida native Sophia got the first gold star and $20,000, while homesick 8-year-old Jimmy -- who, while on the bus, exclaimed, "I think I'm gonna die out here" -- decided not to chance it and went home. The long of it was a lot of setup done by creating a social structure and .. I'll just be lazy and let CBS tell you.

So, the most 'inflammatory' thing about the second episode of "Kid Nation" this week was a pop-up disclaimer before Greg, the oldest Kid Nationer, beheaded a couple of chickens.

"The following scene may be too intense for younger viewers."

Like the ones watching it live in Bonanza City?!? This could've done without the warning. The image may have been a bit jarring, but anyone watching the show knew it was going to happen. And that includes little Emilie, who protested but was eventually pushed aside by the chicken-soup craving horde.

Most of these kids are cute beyond reason (8-year-old Mallory helped start a stuffed-animal daycare center), and they're one-liner machines. Every time the camera is on Jared, just be ready.

A few lines from Episode 2:

• Savannah (talking about the yellow team): "They're just as lazy as a sack of potatoes."
• Jared (while holding a dead chicken): "It's the natural order of life!"
• Not sure if it was Emilie, but one of the kids who tried to protect the chickens: "[They're going to] gang up on us like they did Saddam Hussein!"
• Greg (foreshadowing trouble after he didn't win the gold star): "I thought it was pretty disrespectful, and I'm going to do something about it."

It's worth it to check out some of the bios that the kids created on CBS' site.  There are so many that some get lost, and this gives you more insight into what types of kids are trying to build this town.  More to come ...

-- Jevon Phillips

'Kid Nation': DK, Taylor and the Robbers Cave

One of the most sensible kids, DK, was the star this week.  His frustration at the kids being ... kids was palpable, and enough to make him say that's it. Luckily, new council member Guylan's little-brother shtick was enough to make him stay, and then be rewarded with the gold star.  As one reviewer put it, "whether you're a sinner (Taylor) or a saint (Morgan), everybody loves DK."

"Bonanza Is Disgusting"  is the title of this week's episode.  And though it was green through and through, one little girl continues to pollute the city.

Guylan and Zach got their first taste of leadership, and everyone got their first full glimpse of the evil that is a powerless Taylor.  A bit strong to say for a kid, you say?  Maybe, but the mischief that she creates disrupts the entire town.  Even her running mate, Leila, changed her mind and became a team player (for a while).  They tried to punish her, but that didn't work.  Such a brat .

On to the challenge ...

Seems like there's a revolution every week, but it finally happened: the council shake-up.  Taylor, the beauty queen who doesn't do dishes, is voted off the council, and Zach, the take-charge 10-year-old, takes his rightful position.  It was a long time coming.

But what the heck happened with boy scout Mike?!?

Guylan, the quiet Massachusetts kid who admires Fidel Castro, had only been quoted a few times all season.  A home-schooled 11-year-old with nothing to lose, he stepped up and grabbed the votes from the red team.  It was a total sweep.  It blindsided Mike, and it blindsided me.  Mike's been doing a good job.

In other election news, Laurel is totally loved, and Anjay withstood a challenge from snarky Olivia (some posit that she's mean toward Anjay because of his faith).  It's obvious the producers continue to introduce more and more societal structure into the camp (class, curfew, religion, elections), with each step bringing more chaos.  Or is it more order?

And after the bullying, graffiti and cursing, old man Greg finally gets a star.  His consoling of Sophie after Markell ripped up her campaign sign was probably what sealed it, but the kid's been working hard for a while now.  $20,000 for college.

First they (producers) added social structure to shake things up.  Now, the tried-and-true divider (and occasional uniter) religion is forced upon the kids.

The most interesting thing in this episode, besides the religious debate, was Cody swooning over his girlfriend.  He's 9!  Not to be callous about his emotions but ... 9?  With a girlfriend.  Hmmm ... maybe it says more about me than him that I'm surprised at his depth of emotion.  Moving on ...

Jewish kids stuck together in a "Jew crew," and a few of the Christians voiced their opinions ("Christians rule!").  Zach tried to explain Judaism but was shot down.  Not interested.

Then through the chaos stepped 12-year-old Morgan, the mobilizer (left).  Morgan, the mediator. Morgan, the mom.  She nicely asked the kids to join her in prayer after no one responded to the town council's decree.   In the episode's first tear-inducing moment, a kid named Pharoah spoke through tears about his appreciation for them all to be able to come together, Jews and Gentiles alike!

Cody was quoted early as saying, "It's just gonna all end in conflict, and I don't want to be part of it."  As if to bring that point home, in teary moment number two, he decides that's enough.  He misses his family too much, but is really sorry to leave.  This hits young Campbell, his best friend, really hard.  He later drowns his sorrows with a couple of shot glasses of root beer.  OK, on to the money!

Will it be Morgan ... will it be Zach ... Morgan ... Zach.  It's ... Morgan!

Challenge order:
Blue: Upperclass.  Greg, as usual, does the strong-man work.
Red: Merchants.
Yellow: Cooks.
Green: Laborers, again.

This week's challenge choice: A mini-golf course or a mini-library of holy books (Bible, Koran, etc.).  They took the books.  Curious, but it can open some eyes since we've seen lots of religious misunderstanding.  See, this show can be educational.

As critics continue to wonder why kids reality shows are being made, advertisers are watching and pitching in.  Among them, McDonald’s, PetSmart, Lysol and T-Mobile are the latest advertisers to take advantage of the show's 10,000-viewer jump in the 2-11 age group from week to week.  And advertisers aren't the only ones chiming in.

Naysayer: " 'Kid Nation' is, if not a bigger fraud [than the reality shows], certainly a more obvious one." -- Deseret Morning News

Praise-giver: "DVR 'Pushing Daisies' tomorrow, and watch 'Kid Nation' with your friends." -- Michigan Daily

And Taylor haters: "I'm with so many of the kids -- I want Yellow to lose so that Taylor will be a laborer." -- TV Squad

"A certain runty Mussolini needs to do more than drop some pity-me tears to hold onto office." -- Entertainment Weekly

Show quote: "People are being a little narrow minded here." -- Laurel

The show and the world, Laurel.  And speaking of the world, lots of people are not on the Taylor fan bus.

Photo: CBS.com

-- Jevon Phillips

One of the youngest "Kid Nation" participants, 9-year-old Mallory, right, celebrated her birthday by winning the gold star and $20,000 (to the delight of big sis Olivia).

A few other kids stepped into the spotlight.  Mallory and Olivia, Indianapolis native Morgan and tough guy Colton from Reno had cameras pointed their way this week. Morgan was considered for a gold star, and once again old man Greg was shut out.  He let a few expletives fly before the voting, which probably didn't help his chances.

Pouring salt in the wound was the council's announcement of a curfew!  How are a group of kids hopped up on chocolate and soda going to be able to stick to their 9:30 bedtime?  Only time will tell, and be sure that sleep-deprived kids will be even more testy when they're put in their place by their peers. Maybe Skeet Ulrich doesn't want to send Britney Spears' kids here.

And speaking of being put in her place ... beauty queen Taylor was pushed to tears when the kids (led by chef Sophia) called for her to step down and be nicer.  For a 10-year-old, she stirs up a lot of emotion (check out the rate-a-kid feature).

A random dust storm that knocked down a few outhouses led to Jared's latest rant.  To escape the twister, they have to build a time machine and ... wait.  What?

Add a couple more pellets to the controversy bucket.  The animal rights group Last Chance for Animals condemns the show for "staging" the chicken beheading.  I won't defend it, but I'm not gonna condemn it either.  It WAS pretty graphic.

It seems way too early to be talking about this, but there are reports that producers are having trouble finding a place to film "Kid Nation 2" (if it happens, which it should!).  They are actually looking at overseas locations, where the child labor laws may not be as strict.  Hmm ... there's lots of desert in Africa.  Or maybe a Siberian winter?  Here's a few choices:

This week's show quote comes from another Reno kid, Alex:  "Violence makes me feel very uneasy." Me, too, Alex.

Photo: CBS.com

-- Jevon Phillips

We'll get this out of the way. Everyone's had their pre-show opinions. Lots of people (including the Times) reviewed it, some even calling it "creepily unpleasant." And the ratings showed a solid, but not spectacular, beginning for a reality TV show (a 3.1 rating/9 share in adults ages 18-49 and 9.38 million viewers). "Kid Nation" is what sensible folk thought it would be: Lots of kids having what they think is a tough time making "a life" for themselves in the desert without adults. Except for the host, who never seems very far away.  And the cameramen who chronicle (and I believe) guide some of the action. And whatever crew is there to set up the challenges, the outhouses and the giant blow-up slide that was displayed in the latest episode. Yep, no adults except them (and the set child psychologists and ...).

So on to the show. First episode: The short of it is that the take-charge 14-year-old fast-talking Florida native Sophia got the first gold star and $20,000, while homesick 8-year-old Jimmy -- who, while on the bus, exclaimed, "I think I'm gonna die out here" -- decided not to chance it and went home. The long of it was a lot of setup done by creating a social structure and .. I'll just be lazy and let CBS tell you.

So, the most 'inflammatory' thing about the second episode of "Kid Nation" this week was a pop-up disclaimer before Greg, the oldest Kid Nationer, beheaded a couple of chickens.

"The following scene may be too intense for younger viewers."

Like the ones watching it live in Bonanza City?!? This could've done without the warning. The image may have been a bit jarring, but anyone watching the show knew it was going to happen. And that includes little Emilie, who protested but was eventually pushed aside by the chicken-soup craving horde.

Most of these kids are cute beyond reason (8-year-old Mallory helped start a stuffed-animal daycare center), and they're one-liner machines. Every time the camera is on Jared, just be ready.

A few lines from Episode 2:

• Savannah (talking about the yellow team): "They're just as lazy as a sack of potatoes."
• Jared (while holding a dead chicken): "It's the natural order of life!"
• Not sure if it was Emilie, but one of the kids who tried to protect the chickens: "[They're going to] gang up on us like they did Saddam Hussein!"
• Greg (foreshadowing trouble after he didn't win the gold star): "I thought it was pretty disrespectful, and I'm going to do something about it."

It's worth it to check out some of the bios that the kids created on CBS' site.  There are so many that some get lost, and this gives you more insight into what types of kids are trying to build this town.  More to come ...

-- Jevon Phillips

'Kid Nation': Viva la revolución!

Seems like there's a revolution every week, but it finally happened: the council shake-up.  Taylor, the beauty queen who doesn't do dishes, is voted off the council, and Zach, the take-charge 10-year-old, takes his rightful position.  It was a long time coming.

But what the heck happened with boy scout Mike?!?

Guylan, the quiet Massachusetts kid who admires Fidel Castro, had only been quoted a few times all season.  A home-schooled 11-year-old with nothing to lose, he stepped up and grabbed the votes from the red team.  It was a total sweep.  It blindsided Mike, and it blindsided me.  Mike's been doing a good job.

In other election news, Laurel is totally loved, and Anjay withstood a challenge from snarky Olivia (some posit that she's mean toward Anjay because of his faith).  It's obvious the producers continue to introduce more and more societal structure into the camp (class, curfew, religion, elections), with each step bringing more chaos.  Or is it more order?

And after the bullying, graffiti and cursing, old man Greg finally gets a star.  His consoling of Sophie after Markell ripped up her campaign sign was probably what sealed it, but the kid's been working hard for a while now.  $20,000 for college.

First they (producers) added social structure to shake things up.  Now, the tried-and-true divider (and occasional uniter) religion is forced upon the kids.

The most interesting thing in this episode, besides the religious debate, was Cody swooning over his girlfriend.  He's 9!  Not to be callous about his emotions but ... 9?  With a girlfriend.  Hmmm ... maybe it says more about me than him that I'm surprised at his depth of emotion.  Moving on ...

Jewish kids stuck together in a "Jew crew," and a few of the Christians voiced their opinions ("Christians rule!").  Zach tried to explain Judaism but was shot down.  Not interested.

Then through the chaos stepped 12-year-old Morgan, the mobilizer (left).  Morgan, the mediator. Morgan, the mom.  She nicely asked the kids to join her in prayer after no one responded to the town council's decree.   In the episode's first tear-inducing moment, a kid named Pharoah spoke through tears about his appreciation for them all to be able to come together, Jews and Gentiles alike!

Cody was quoted early as saying, "It's just gonna all end in conflict, and I don't want to be part of it."  As if to bring that point home, in teary moment number two, he decides that's enough.  He misses his family too much, but is really sorry to leave.  This hits young Campbell, his best friend, really hard.  He later drowns his sorrows with a couple of shot glasses of root beer.  OK, on to the money!

Will it be Morgan ... will it be Zach ... Morgan ... Zach.  It's ... Morgan!

Challenge order:
Blue: Upperclass.  Greg, as usual, does the strong-man work.
Red: Merchants.
Yellow: Cooks.
Green: Laborers, again.

This week's challenge choice: A mini-golf course or a mini-library of holy books (Bible, Koran, etc.).  They took the books.  Curious, but it can open some eyes since we've seen lots of religious misunderstanding.  See, this show can be educational.

As critics continue to wonder why kids reality shows are being made, advertisers are watching and pitching in.  Among them, McDonald’s, PetSmart, Lysol and T-Mobile are the latest advertisers to take advantage of the show's 10,000-viewer jump in the 2-11 age group from week to week.  And advertisers aren't the only ones chiming in.

Naysayer: " 'Kid Nation' is, if not a bigger fraud [than the reality shows], certainly a more obvious one." -- Deseret Morning News

Praise-giver: "DVR 'Pushing Daisies' tomorrow, and watch 'Kid Nation' with your friends." -- Michigan Daily

And Taylor haters: "I'm with so many of the kids -- I want Yellow to lose so that Taylor will be a laborer." -- TV Squad

"A certain runty Mussolini needs to do more than drop some pity-me tears to hold onto office." -- Entertainment Weekly

Show quote: "People are being a little narrow minded here." -- Laurel

The show and the world, Laurel.  And speaking of the world, lots of people are not on the Taylor fan bus.

Photo: CBS.com

-- Jevon Phillips

One of the youngest "Kid Nation" participants, 9-year-old Mallory, right, celebrated her birthday by winning the gold star and $20,000 (to the delight of big sis Olivia).

A few other kids stepped into the spotlight.  Mallory and Olivia, Indianapolis native Morgan and tough guy Colton from Reno had cameras pointed their way this week. Morgan was considered for a gold star, and once again old man Greg was shut out.  He let a few expletives fly before the voting, which probably didn't help his chances.

Pouring salt in the wound was the council's announcement of a curfew!  How are a group of kids hopped up on chocolate and soda going to be able to stick to their 9:30 bedtime?  Only time will tell, and be sure that sleep-deprived kids will be even more testy when they're put in their place by their peers. Maybe Skeet Ulrich doesn't want to send Britney Spears' kids here.

And speaking of being put in her place ... beauty queen Taylor was pushed to tears when the kids (led by chef Sophia) called for her to step down and be nicer.  For a 10-year-old, she stirs up a lot of emotion (check out the rate-a-kid feature).

A random dust storm that knocked down a few outhouses led to Jared's latest rant.  To escape the twister, they have to build a time machine and ... wait.  What?

Add a couple more pellets to the controversy bucket.  The animal rights group Last Chance for Animals condemns the show for "staging" the chicken beheading.  I won't defend it, but I'm not gonna condemn it either.  It WAS pretty graphic.

It seems way too early to be talking about this, but there are reports that producers are having trouble finding a place to film "Kid Nation 2" (if it happens, which it should!).  They are actually looking at overseas locations, where the child labor laws may not be as strict.  Hmm ... there's lots of desert in Africa.  Or maybe a Siberian winter?  Here's a few choices:

This week's show quote comes from another Reno kid, Alex:  "Violence makes me feel very uneasy." Me, too, Alex.

Photo: CBS.com

-- Jevon Phillips

We'll get this out of the way. Everyone's had their pre-show opinions. Lots of people (including the Times) reviewed it, some even calling it "creepily unpleasant." And the ratings showed a solid, but not spectacular, beginning for a reality TV show (a 3.1 rating/9 share in adults ages 18-49 and 9.38 million viewers). "Kid Nation" is what sensible folk thought it would be: Lots of kids having what they think is a tough time making "a life" for themselves in the desert without adults. Except for the host, who never seems very far away.  And the cameramen who chronicle (and I believe) guide some of the action. And whatever crew is there to set up the challenges, the outhouses and the giant blow-up slide that was displayed in the latest episode. Yep, no adults except them (and the set child psychologists and ...).

So on to the show. First episode: The short of it is that the take-charge 14-year-old fast-talking Florida native Sophia got the first gold star and $20,000, while homesick 8-year-old Jimmy -- who, while on the bus, exclaimed, "I think I'm gonna die out here" -- decided not to chance it and went home. The long of it was a lot of setup done by creating a social structure and .. I'll just be lazy and let CBS tell you.

So, the most 'inflammatory' thing about the second episode of "Kid Nation" this week was a pop-up disclaimer before Greg, the oldest Kid Nationer, beheaded a couple of chickens.

"The following scene may be too intense for younger viewers."

Like the ones watching it live in Bonanza City?!? This could've done without the warning. The image may have been a bit jarring, but anyone watching the show knew it was going to happen. And that includes little Emilie, who protested but was eventually pushed aside by the chicken-soup craving horde.

Most of these kids are cute beyond reason (8-year-old Mallory helped start a stuffed-animal daycare center), and they're one-liner machines. Every time the camera is on Jared, just be ready.

A few lines from Episode 2:

• Savannah (talking about the yellow team): "They're just as lazy as a sack of potatoes."
• Jared (while holding a dead chicken): "It's the natural order of life!"
• Not sure if it was Emilie, but one of the kids who tried to protect the chickens: "[They're going to] gang up on us like they did Saddam Hussein!"
• Greg (foreshadowing trouble after he didn't win the gold star): "I thought it was pretty disrespectful, and I'm going to do something about it."

It's worth it to check out some of the bios that the kids created on CBS' site.  There are so many that some get lost, and this gives you more insight into what types of kids are trying to build this town.  More to come ...

-- Jevon Phillips

'Kid Nation': Bless us and keep us safe

First they (producers) added social structure to shake things up.  Now, the tried-and-true divider (and occasional uniter) religion is forced upon the kids.

The most interesting thing in this episode, besides the religious debate, was Cody swooning over his girlfriend.  He's 9!  Not to be callous about his emotions but ... 9?  With a girlfriend.  Hmmm ... maybe it says more about me than him that I'm surprised at his depth of emotion.  Moving on ...

Jewish kids stuck together in a "Jew crew," and a few of the Christians voiced their opinions ("Christians rule!").  Zach tried to explain Judaism but was shot down.  Not interested.

Then through the chaos stepped 12-year-old Morgan, the mobilizer (left).  Morgan, the mediator. Morgan, the mom.  She nicely asked the kids to join her in prayer after no one responded to the town council's decree.   In the episode's first tear-inducing moment, a kid named Pharoah spoke through tears about his appreciation for them all to be able to come together, Jews and Gentiles alike!

Cody was quoted early as saying, "It's just gonna all end in conflict, and I don't want to be part of it."  As if to bring that point home, in teary moment number two, he decides that's enough.  He misses his family too much, but is really sorry to leave.  This hits young Campbell, his best friend, really hard.  He later drowns his sorrows with a couple of shot glasses of root beer.  OK, on to the money!

Will it be Morgan ... will it be Zach ... Morgan ... Zach.  It's ... Morgan!

Challenge order:
Blue: Upperclass.  Greg, as usual, does the strong-man work.
Red: Merchants.
Yellow: Cooks.
Green: Laborers, again.

This week's challenge choice: A mini-golf course or a mini-library of holy books (Bible, Koran, etc.).  They took the books.  Curious, but it can open some eyes since we've seen lots of religious misunderstanding.  See, this show can be educational.

As critics continue to wonder why kids reality shows are being made, advertisers are watching and pitching in.  Among them, McDonald’s, PetSmart, Lysol and T-Mobile are the latest advertisers to take advantage of the show's 10,000-viewer jump in the 2-11 age group from week to week.  And advertisers aren't the only ones chiming in.

Naysayer: " 'Kid Nation' is, if not a bigger fraud [than the reality shows], certainly a more obvious one." -- Deseret Morning News

Praise-giver: "DVR 'Pushing Daisies' tomorrow, and watch 'Kid Nation' with your friends." -- Michigan Daily

And Taylor haters: "I'm with so many of the kids -- I want Yellow to lose so that Taylor will be a laborer." -- TV Squad

"A certain runty Mussolini needs to do more than drop some pity-me tears to hold onto office." -- Entertainment Weekly

Show quote: "People are being a little narrow minded here." -- Laurel

The show and the world, Laurel.  And speaking of the world, lots of people are not on the Taylor fan bus.

Photo: CBS.com

-- Jevon Phillips

One of the youngest "Kid Nation" participants, 9-year-old Mallory, right, celebrated her birthday by winning the gold star and $20,000 (to the delight of big sis Olivia).

A few other kids stepped into the spotlight.  Mallory and Olivia, Indianapolis native Morgan and tough guy Colton from Reno had cameras pointed their way this week. Morgan was considered for a gold star, and once again old man Greg was shut out.  He let a few expletives fly before the voting, which probably didn't help his chances.

Pouring salt in the wound was the council's announcement of a curfew!  How are a group of kids hopped up on chocolate and soda going to be able to stick to their 9:30 bedtime?  Only time will tell, and be sure that sleep-deprived kids will be even more testy when they're put in their place by their peers. Maybe Skeet Ulrich doesn't want to send Britney Spears' kids here.

And speaking of being put in her place ... beauty queen Taylor was pushed to tears when the kids (led by chef Sophia) called for her to step down and be nicer.  For a 10-year-old, she stirs up a lot of emotion (check out the rate-a-kid feature).

A random dust storm that knocked down a few outhouses led to Jared's latest rant.  To escape the twister, they have to build a time machine and ... wait.  What?

Add a couple more pellets to the controversy bucket.  The animal rights group Last Chance for Animals condemns the show for "staging" the chicken beheading.  I won't defend it, but I'm not gonna condemn it either.  It WAS pretty graphic.

It seems way too early to be talking about this, but there are reports that producers are having trouble finding a place to film "Kid Nation 2" (if it happens, which it should!).  They are actually looking at overseas locations, where the child labor laws may not be as strict.  Hmm ... there's lots of desert in Africa.  Or maybe a Siberian winter?  Here's a few choices:

This week's show quote comes from another Reno kid, Alex:  "Violence makes me feel very uneasy." Me, too, Alex.

Photo: CBS.com

-- Jevon Phillips

We'll get this out of the way. Everyone's had their pre-show opinions. Lots of people (including the Times) reviewed it, some even calling it "creepily unpleasant." And the ratings showed a solid, but not spectacular, beginning for a reality TV show (a 3.1 rating/9 share in adults ages 18-49 and 9.38 million viewers). "Kid Nation" is what sensible folk thought it would be: Lots of kids having what they think is a tough time making "a life" for themselves in the desert without adults. Except for the host, who never seems very far away.  And the cameramen who chronicle (and I believe) guide some of the action. And whatever crew is there to set up the challenges, the outhouses and the giant blow-up slide that was displayed in the latest episode. Yep, no adults except them (and the set child psychologists and ...).

So on to the show. First episode: The short of it is that the take-charge 14-year-old fast-talking Florida native Sophia got the first gold star and $20,000, while homesick 8-year-old Jimmy -- who, while on the bus, exclaimed, "I think I'm gonna die out here" -- decided not to chance it and went home. The long of it was a lot of setup done by creating a social structure and .. I'll just be lazy and let CBS tell you.

So, the most 'inflammatory' thing about the second episode of "Kid Nation" this week was a pop-up disclaimer before Greg, the oldest Kid Nationer, beheaded a couple of chickens.

"The following scene may be too intense for younger viewers."

Like the ones watching it live in Bonanza City?!? This could've done without the warning. The image may have been a bit jarring, but anyone watching the show knew it was going to happen. And that includes little Emilie, who protested but was eventually pushed aside by the chicken-soup craving horde.

Most of these kids are cute beyond reason (8-year-old Mallory helped start a stuffed-animal daycare center), and they're one-liner machines. Every time the camera is on Jared, just be ready.

A few lines from Episode 2:

• Savannah (talking about the yellow team): "They're just as lazy as a sack of potatoes."
• Jared (while holding a dead chicken): "It's the natural order of life!"
• Not sure if it was Emilie, but one of the kids who tried to protect the chickens: "[They're going to] gang up on us like they did Saddam Hussein!"
• Greg (foreshadowing trouble after he didn't win the gold star): "I thought it was pretty disrespectful, and I'm going to do something about it."

It's worth it to check out some of the bios that the kids created on CBS' site.  There are so many that some get lost, and this gives you more insight into what types of kids are trying to build this town.  More to come ...

-- Jevon Phillips

'Kid Nation': Day 8 and cursing -- gasp!

One of the youngest "Kid Nation" participants, 9-year-old Mallory, right, celebrated her birthday by winning the gold star and $20,000 (to the delight of big sis Olivia).

A few other kids stepped into the spotlight.  Mallory and Olivia, Indianapolis native Morgan and tough guy Colton from Reno had cameras pointed their way this week. Morgan was considered for a gold star, and once again old man Greg was shut out.  He let a few expletives fly before the voting, which probably didn't help his chances.

Pouring salt in the wound was the council's announcement of a curfew!  How are a group of kids hopped up on chocolate and soda going to be able to stick to their 9:30 bedtime?  Only time will tell, and be sure that sleep-deprived kids will be even more testy when they're put in their place by their peers. Maybe Skeet Ulrich doesn't want to send Britney Spears' kids here.

And speaking of being put in her place ... beauty queen Taylor was pushed to tears when the kids (led by chef Sophia) called for her to step down and be nicer.  For a 10-year-old, she stirs up a lot of emotion (check out the rate-a-kid feature).

A random dust storm that knocked down a few outhouses led to Jared's latest rant.  To escape the twister, they have to build a time machine and ... wait.  What?

Add a couple more pellets to the controversy bucket.  The animal rights group Last Chance for Animals condemns the show for "staging" the chicken beheading.  I won't defend it, but I'm not gonna condemn it either.  It WAS pretty graphic.

It seems way too early to be talking about this, but there are reports that producers are having trouble finding a place to film "Kid Nation 2" (if it happens, which it should!).  They are actually looking at overseas locations, where the child labor laws may not be as strict.  Hmm ... there's lots of desert in Africa.  Or maybe a Siberian winter?  Here's a few choices:

This week's show quote comes from another Reno kid, Alex:  "Violence makes me feel very uneasy." Me, too, Alex.

Photo: CBS.com

-- Jevon Phillips

We'll get this out of the way. Everyone's had their pre-show opinions. Lots of people (including the Times) reviewed it, some even calling it "creepily unpleasant." And the ratings showed a solid, but not spectacular, beginning for a reality TV show (a 3.1 rating/9 share in adults ages 18-49 and 9.38 million viewers). "Kid Nation" is what sensible folk thought it would be: Lots of kids having what they think is a tough time making "a life" for themselves in the desert without adults. Except for the host, who never seems very far away.  And the cameramen who chronicle (and I believe) guide some of the action. And whatever crew is there to set up the challenges, the outhouses and the giant blow-up slide that was displayed in the latest episode. Yep, no adults except them (and the set child psychologists and ...).

So on to the show. First episode: The short of it is that the take-charge 14-year-old fast-talking Florida native Sophia got the first gold star and $20,000, while homesick 8-year-old Jimmy -- who, while on the bus, exclaimed, "I think I'm gonna die out here" -- decided not to chance it and went home. The long of it was a lot of setup done by creating a social structure and .. I'll just be lazy and let CBS tell you.

So, the most 'inflammatory' thing about the second episode of "Kid Nation" this week was a pop-up disclaimer before Greg, the oldest Kid Nationer, beheaded a couple of chickens.

"The following scene may be too intense for younger viewers."

Like the ones watching it live in Bonanza City?!? This could've done without the warning. The image may have been a bit jarring, but anyone watching the show knew it was going to happen. And that includes little Emilie, who protested but was eventually pushed aside by the chicken-soup craving horde.

Most of these kids are cute beyond reason (8-year-old Mallory helped start a stuffed-animal daycare center), and they're one-liner machines. Every time the camera is on Jared, just be ready.

A few lines from Episode 2:

• Savannah (talking about the yellow team): "They're just as lazy as a sack of potatoes."
• Jared (while holding a dead chicken): "It's the natural order of life!"
• Not sure if it was Emilie, but one of the kids who tried to protect the chickens: "[They're going to] gang up on us like they did Saddam Hussein!"
• Greg (foreshadowing trouble after he didn't win the gold star): "I thought it was pretty disrespectful, and I'm going to do something about it."

It's worth it to check out some of the bios that the kids created on CBS' site.  There are so many that some get lost, and this gives you more insight into what types of kids are trying to build this town.  More to come ...

-- Jevon Phillips

'Kid Nation': Off with their heads!

We'll get this out of the way. Everyone's had their pre-show opinions. Lots of people (including the Times) reviewed it, some even calling it "creepily unpleasant." And the ratings showed a solid, but not spectacular, beginning for a reality TV show (a 3.1 rating/9 share in adults ages 18-49 and 9.38 million viewers). "Kid Nation" is what sensible folk thought it would be: Lots of kids having what they think is a tough time making "a life" for themselves in the desert without adults. Except for the host, who never seems very far away.  And the cameramen who chronicle (and I believe) guide some of the action. And whatever crew is there to set up the challenges, the outhouses and the giant blow-up slide that was displayed in the latest episode. Yep, no adults except them (and the set child psychologists and ...).

So on to the show. First episode: The short of it is that the take-charge 14-year-old fast-talking Florida native Sophia got the first gold star and $20,000, while homesick 8-year-old Jimmy -- who, while on the bus, exclaimed, "I think I'm gonna die out here" -- decided not to chance it and went home. The long of it was a lot of setup done by creating a social structure and .. I'll just be lazy and let CBS tell you.

So, the most 'inflammatory' thing about the second episode of "Kid Nation" this week was a pop-up disclaimer before Greg, the oldest Kid Nationer, beheaded a couple of chickens.

"The following scene may be too intense for younger viewers."

Like the ones watching it live in Bonanza City?!? This could've done without the warning. The image may have been a bit jarring, but anyone watching the show knew it was going to happen. And that includes little Emilie, who protested but was eventually pushed aside by the chicken-soup craving horde.

Most of these kids are cute beyond reason (8-year-old Mallory helped start a stuffed-animal daycare center), and they're one-liner machines. Every time the camera is on Jared, just be ready.

A few lines from Episode 2:

• Savannah (talking about the yellow team): "They're just as lazy as a sack of potatoes."
• Jared (while holding a dead chicken): "It's the natural order of life!"
• Not sure if it was Emilie, but one of the kids who tried to protect the chickens: "[They're going to] gang up on us like they did Saddam Hussein!"
• Greg (foreshadowing trouble after he didn't win the gold star): "I thought it was pretty disrespectful, and I'm going to do something about it."

It's worth it to check out some of the bios that the kids created on CBS' site.  There are so many that some get lost, and this gives you more insight into what types of kids are trying to build this town.  More to come ...

-- Jevon Phillips