Kid Nation on CBS - Review

I've watched a couple episodes of this show (well two out of three!) and let me tell you, I am totally mixed in my feelings about this. On one hand, I see some kids with a terribly bright future, who are totally brilliant, wise beyond their years. On the other, I see some kids who are entitled, egomaniacal brats. I suppose that CBS created a good mixture here. It's an interesting concept, I think. Perhaps we can all learn something from the kids, be it good or bad.

There are definitely some personalities that stick out, just like any reality shows. Taylor, for starters. She's the council member for the yellow team. This little pageant queen thinks that the president has to be "bossy." She also has an over inflated sense of self importance. Her favorite phrase is "deal with it." She doesn't think she should have to work, just boss people around. She states in her bio that she admires the president because he makes important decisions and that they "need someone in charge with the power to pull things together as long as they don't abuse their power." I guess a ten year old doesn't understand the concept of hypocrisy. These words came from the same little girl who, along with her posse of Taylor-wanna-bes stood and made fun of the kids assigned to clean the out houses, telling them she wanted her butt to shine. I hope her parents are watching, and realizing what kind of little monster they have had a hand in creating. I hope they are ashamed. Sadly, they probably aren't.

Another personality that sticks out, at least after this past week, is Mallory. This is a little tiny eight year old is not to be overlooked. She runs the town store, and doesn't let herself be taken by the older kids. I think her bio speaks volumes about her, where she says that a good leader is someone who is "smart, fair, and willing to stand up for what is right." Is it any wonder that she got the gold star this week? I'll bet we'll see greatness from this little wonder when she's older.

Morgan is twelve, and is already the work horse of the bunch. She does everything, and does it without complaint. Unfortunately, I'll bet this poor girl is over looked her whole life by people in charge, people like Taylor. Still, I bet she's going to be a happy, smart, well adjusted woman. She'll always be able to stand by the fact that she's done an honest days' work, though I hope she sees success beyond her wildest dreams. She comes across as a kid with a good head on her shoulders, who has probably been raised by the kind of parents we should all aspire to be.

Greg sticks out a lot, as one of the oldest kids in the bunch. I really think he is misunderstood, and a little bit misguided. He seems to want to take charge, and I think it's for the best reasons, and he's just doing it the wrong way. He's strong, and a hard worker, and his bio reveals a really kind kid with a good heart. Who'd have thought it! He says, when asked which world leader he admires, that he admires his mom! He says "she may not be president, but she's making a difference in my world every day!" Way to go, Greg's mom, you've obviously done something right to get words like that from a fifteen year old boy!

It's really amazing to watch this show, and see what these kids can do, when left to their own devices. These are kids who probably don't want to clean their rooms, and wouldn't dare do some laundry, but at the same time, they are there, scrubbing dirty dishes, comforting each other, and even cleaning up out houses that have tipped over after a sand storm. They are making decisions every day, some good, some that may bite them later, but all in all, it can be a refreshing change of pace from the typical reality television show!