Kid Nation: Will it Sink or Swim?

Do you remember when television was dominated by sitcoms? Those days are long gone, it seems. These days reality television is what's hot. And in the search for an innovative approach to reinvent the genre, Kid Nation was created.

What is Kid Nation? Kid Nation is a new reality television show that follows 40 kids as they revive an abandoned New Mexico town in 40 days. The kids of Kid Nation began the show with just one outhouse for all of them to use. They had to learn to pump water, cook, run stores, clean, and do scores of other day to day tasks. There are no adults on scene to feed, clothe or bathe anyone on Kid Nation. And there are no rules, other than the ones the kids make.

Are the kids really alone on Kid Nation? Well, not exactly. According to the production company, in addition to the scores of crew members, there were child psychologists on scene to be sure everyone was okay. But the adults took a backseat and let the kids drive, so to speak.

The point? To literally create a Kid Nation. Could the kids form a government, take care of themselves and make it through the 40 days? These are the questions Kid Nation seeks to answer.

The first episode of Kid Nation premiered on Wednesday, September 19. It drew about 9 million viewers, which is considered to be 'okay'. It wasn't the top watched show that night.

The kids of Kid Nation did do some encouraging things though - the town council made the smart choice to accept several more outhouses rather than a television when they completed their first showdown challenge. Although many kids cheered for the television, the four-member council made the smart choice to take the more practical prize. After all, one outhouse just isn't enough for 40 kids. Could you imagine?!?

But all wasn't dandy among the kids. There was some bickering, some bossiness and some kids who just wanted to go home. Jimmy, 8, from New Hampshire was up front with the other kids about his missing home. And the other kids told him they felt that way too, with one even offering to act as a surrogate parent for him. But ultimately, Jimmy had other ideas. He chose to go home in the first episode - just a few days into the experiment. Why? "I'm really homesick. ... I'm scared too. ... I thought it would be like a big fun adventure ... but I miss my family a lot," he told the other kids during the Kid Nation own hall meeting. And with that, Jimmy left.

Will more kids go home? Probably. Will the kids make some mistakes? No doubt (and many reports tell of a few kids accidentally drinking bleach and one being hurt while cooking). Will Kid Nation be the next Survivor? If the first episode is any indication, it's unlikely.

Critics aren't thrilled with the show by any means. Some call it "creepy." Others call it "tame." But it's not what the critics think that matters - it's whether viewers tune in. Is Kid Nation the sort of trainwreck people can't turn away from? Or is it the sort of thing people roll their eyes at? Only time will tell.

But, Kid Nation 2 is already in the works and scheduled for filming beginning in mid-October. The contract requires kids to have a passport, so kids might be taken even further from home if the show comes to fruition.