Kid Nation

The show, featuring 40 children and adolescents aged 8 to 15, was filmed on location at the Bonanza Creek Movie Ranch, a privately owned town built on the ruins of Bonanza City, New Mexico, {{convert|13|mi}} south of Santa Fe.{{Cite web|url=http://bonanzacreekranch.com/about.html|title=About Us|website=Bonanza Creek Ranch|access-date=April 28, 2019}}

The show stresses the difficulty in creating a viable society. While each child received $5,000 for their involvement, Gold Stars valued at $20,000 and $50,000 were awarded to select outstanding participants as decided by the elected Town Council.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/22/us/22kid.html|title=CBS Was Warned on 'Kid Nation,' Documents Show|last=Wyatt|first=Edward|date=August 22, 2007|work=New York Times|access-date=August 24, 2007}}

Speaking before an audience of television reviewers, producer Tom Forman acknowledged that Kid Nation would inevitably share some elements with William Golding's novel Lord of the Flies, which depicted planewrecked children without adult supervision. Adults were present off-camera during production, including cameramen, producers, a medic, and a child psychologist, although all interacted with the children as little as possible. Participants also missed a month of school, but Forman suggested that such real-world tasks as preparing a group breakfast, doing physical chores like fetching water, and making group decisions constituted an educational experience in their own right. Forman said that all participants were cleared by a team of psychologists and any child could choose to go home during any of the regular town meetings, which three did.

{{main|List of Kid Nation episodes}}

:{{note|A|A}}These gold stars were worth $50,000 and were awarded at the final town hall meeting.

{{further|List of Kid Nation participants}}

The participants of Kid Nation consist of 40 kids, whose ages ranged from 8 to 15.{{cite news|url=https://tv.yahoo.com/episodes_recap?id=146272|title=Kid Nation – I'm Trying to be a Leader Here|last=TWOP|access-date=April 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615095822/http://tv.yahoo.com/episodes_recap?id=146272|archive-date=June 15, 2011|url-status=dead|publisher=Yahoo! TV}} The following table lists each child's district color (including change if applicable),{{Cite web|url=http://www.cbs.com/primetime/kid_nation/progress.php|title=Progress Report|website=CBS|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011214414/http://www.cbs.com/primetime/kid_nation/progress.php|archive-date=October 11, 2007|url-status=dead|access-date=April 28, 2019}} age at the onset of the show, home state, the terms they held in Town Council, the day they received a gold star, when they left Bonanza City and any applicable notes.{{Cite web|url=http://www.cbs.com/primetime/kid_nation/bio.shtml|title=Check out the bios created & designed by the Kids|website=CBS|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090212162033/http://www.cbs.com/primetime/kid_nation/bio.shtml|archive-date=February 12, 2009|url-status=dead|access-date=April 28, 2019}}{{Failed verification|date=April 2019}}

: {{note|1|1}}Original district

: {{note|2|2}}Final district color or black, with N/A (Not Applicable) if participant left the show

: {{note|3|3}}These gold stars were worth $50,000 ({{Inflation|US|50000|2007|r=-3|fmt=eq}}) and were awarded at the final town hall meeting.

Ahead of its premiere, the show proved to be the most controversial of the upcoming fall 2007 season, although the only actual footage seen was a four-minute promo running on television and the Web.{{Cite web|url=http://www.seedebate.org/node/244|title=Is CBS reality show 'Kid Nation' just child's play?|last=Fernandez|first=Maria Elena|date=August 28, 2007|website=SEEdebate|publisher=Los Angeles Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323042607/http://www.seedebate.org/node/244|archive-date=March 23, 2012|url-status=dead|access-date=April 28, 2019}} In previewing the series, CBS eschewed television critics, instead holding screenings at schools in at least seven large cities.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/19/arts/television/19kid.html?adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1190240371-ba6CaqF8aMXx4N7KjqeZrw|title=CBS Screens 'Kid Nation' at Schools|last=Wyatt|first=Edward|date=September 19, 2007|website=New York Times|access-date=April 28, 2019}} Variety columnist Brian Lowry wrote that "Kid Nation is only the latest program to use kids as fodder for fun and profit, which doesn't make the trend any less disturbing."{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2007/tv/columns/the-kids-aren-t-all-right-1117965850/|title=The kids aren't all right|last=Lowry|first=Brian|date=May 25, 2007|website=Variety|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090219235411/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117965850.html?categoryid=1682&cs=1|archive-date=February 19, 2009|url-status=live|access-date=April 28, 2019}} William Coleman, a professor of pediatrics at the University of North Carolina, argued that the younger children, ages 8 to 12, might not be able to deal with the stress, yet could be enticed to participate by the potential fame or be pressured to do so by a parent.{{Cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=12476751|title='Kid Nation' Raises Controversy Ahead of Air|last=Montagne|first=Renee|date=August 3, 2007|website=NPR|access-date=April 28, 2019}}

Los Angeles Times reporter Maria Elena Fernandez interviewed four of the children, who told her they had worked harder than they ever had in their lives but would willingly repeat the experience. They said the most challenging aspect was getting used to being filmed constantly.

After the show's premiere, many television critics wrote negative reviews, with Los Angeles Times critic Robert Lloyd being an exception.{{Cite web|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/kid-nation-debuts-with-go_n_65245|title="Kid Nation" Debuts With Good, Not Great, Ratings And Reviews|date=March 28, 2008|website=HuffPost|access-date=April 28, 2019}} Reviewing the first episode, Washington Post columnist Tom Shales suggested that the show is "not so much an exercise in socialization as the indoctrination of children into a consumer culture". Shales pointed out that the kids' decisions included buying root beer at the saloon with "real money", but not hiring or being hired—as their money was "parceled out to them according to their predetermined stations in life."{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/19/AR2007091902635.html?noredirect=on|title='Kid Nation': Grow Up, CBS!|last=Shales|first=Tom|date=September 20, 2007|website=Shales on TV|publisher=Washington Post|access-date=April 28, 2019}}

By the third episode, some advertisers that had shied away from Kid Nation due to its initial controversy had begun to purchase time.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/08/business/media/08kidnation.html?ref=business|title='Kid Nation' Slips in Viewers but Gains in Advertisers|last=Wyatt|first=Edward|date=October 8, 2007|website=New York Times|access-date=April 28, 2019}}

Reflecting near the end of the season, Los Angeles Times writer Maria Elena Fernandez, who had reported extensively on Kid Nation, wrote that neither the show's pre-premiere promises nor controversies quite congealed: the children were never as autonomous or self-reliant as the publicity indicated and the threatened legal investigations by the state of New Mexico never took off. As the series concluded, low ratings had cast doubt on whether CBS would renew the show. Brad Adgate, an analyst with Horizon Media, said the chances were not good unless a writers' strike, ongoing at the time of the season finale, increased demand for more reality shows.{{cite news|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2007-12-11-kid-nation_N.htm|title='Kid Nation' faces an uncertain future after lackluster run|last=Keveney|first=Bill|date=December 11, 2007|work=USA Today|access-date=April 28, 2019}}

Time magazine's James Poniewozik named it one of the Top 10 New TV Series of 2007, ranking it at #10.{{Cite magazine|url=https://content.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1686204_1686244_1691365,00.html|title=Top 10 New TV Series|last=Poniewozik|first=James|date=December 9, 2007|magazine=TIME|access-date=April 28, 2019}}

It was nominated for Best Family Television Reality Show, Game Show or Documentary at the 29th Annual Young Artist Awards.{{Cite web|url=http://www.youngartistawards.org/noms29.html|title=29th Annual Young Artist Awards - Nominations / Special Awards|date=2008|website=Young Artist Awards|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080705154832/http://www.youngartistawards.org/noms29.html|archive-date=July 5, 2008|url-status=dead|access-date=April 28, 2019}}

It was also the subject of the second episode of the 2024 VICE docuseries Dark Side of Reality TV.[https://www.tvinsider.com/1152738/dark-side-of-reality-tv-kid-nation-recap/ 9 Shocking 'Kid Nation' Details Revealed by 'Dark Side of Reality TV' - TV Insider][https://www.tvinsider.com/1152181/dark-side-of-reality-tv-sneak-peek-kid-nation-daniel-kyri/ 'Dark Side of Reality TV' Sneak Peek: 'Kid Nation' Stars on Starvation - TV Insider]

Kid Nation raised questions about the appropriate minimum age of participants in reality shows. As with most other reality shows, the children were signed on contracts requiring them to be available for filming for 24 hours a day through the 40-day filming period. The federal Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 limits the number of hours that children can work in a day, but has exemptions for film and television production. This leaves states to regulate those industries.{{cite journal | title= Reality's Kids: Are Children Who Participate on Reality Television Shows Covered under the Fair Labor Standards Act | first = Adam P. | last= Greenberg | journal = Southern California Law Review |volume = 82 | pages = 585 | date = 2008 }} At the time of filming, New Mexico had passed a law to limit children's participation in film and television productions to nine hours a day while Kid Nation was filming, but it did not come into enforcement until a month after filming completed.{{cite web | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/25/arts/television/25KID.html | title = 'Kid Nation' Lesson: Be Careful What You Pitch | first = Edward | last = Wyatt | date = August 25, 2007 | access-date = May 21, 2020 | work = The New York Times }} However, New Mexico had other general child-labor provisions that limited children under 14 to a maximum number of hours per week or day unless previously cleared with the state, which CBS had not appeared to have obtained. Adults were on site with the children but the nature of how the adults supervised the children made it appear that the children were unlawfully engaged in labor under New Mexico law, according to the state. The producers challenged these claims by declaring the set a summer camp rather than a place of employment. This was further questioned by the state, as there are additional rules related to camp operations set by the state that were not followed by production. The ostensible loopholes production had claimed have since been closed.

Health issues were also raised. Parents were required to sign a 22-page waiver that disavowed any responsibility on CBS or production for harm from any medical care given to the children. Forman, ten years after the show's airing, stated that the children were never in any real danger with the amount of adult supervision present, but that the length and terms of the waiver were meant to try to cover all the possible ways they believed that injury could possibly befall the children during production at that location.{{cite web | url = https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/kid-nation-10th-anniversary-tom-forman-interview-1202543534/ | title = 'Kid Nation' Boss Reflects on 'Controversial and Groundbreaking' Reality Series | first = Danielle | last = Turchiano | date = September 18, 2017 | access-date = May 26, 2020 | work = Variety }} After 11-year-old Divad Miles was burned when grease splattered onto her face while cooking a meal, her mother, Janis Miles, filed a complaint in June calling for an investigation into "abusive acts to minors and possible violations of child labor laws." The claim was investigated by Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office, which found no criminal wrongdoing on the part of the production company.{{Cite web|url=http://www.tvweek.com/news/2007/07/the_founding_of_kid_nation.php|title=The Founding of 'Kid Nation'|last=Hibberd|first=James|date=July 15, 2007|website=TV Week|publisher=Crain Communications|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070916121020/http://www.tvweek.com/news/2007/07/the_founding_of_kid_nation.php|archive-date=September 16, 2007|url-status=dead|access-date=April 28, 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://articles.latimes.com/2007/aug/22/entertainment/et-kidnationweb22|title=CBS addresses 'Kid Nation' controversies|last1=Fern|first1=Maria Elena|last2=Ez|date=August 22, 2007|website=Los Angeles Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205175316/http://articles.latimes.com/2007/aug/22/entertainment/et-kidnationweb22|archive-date=December 5, 2008|url-status=dead|access-date=April 28, 2019}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/18/arts/television/18kid.html|title=A CBS Reality Show Draws a Claim of Possible Child Abuse|last=Wyatt|first=Edward|date=August 18, 2007|work=New York Times|access-date=April 28, 2019}} Other investigative efforts by the state of New Mexico into the Kid Nation production were later dropped. The state's Attorney General's Office cited the lack of formal complaint or request for inquiry from any state agency. The state's Department of Workforce Solutions dropped its charge that the producers had denied inspectors access to the set and said it had no plans to investigate.{{cite news|url=http://www.calendarlive.com/tv/cl-et-kidnation30nov30,0,6620097.story?coll=cl-tv-features|title=Lost chances in 'Kid Nation'|last=Fernandez|first=Maria Elena|date=November 30, 2007|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=April 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071201203249/http://www.calendarlive.com/tv/cl-et-kidnation30nov30%2C0%2C6620097.story?coll=cl-tv-features|archive-date=December 1, 2007|url-status=dead}}

The Kid Nation production also raised questions about whether reality show participants are more like subjects in a documentary or working actors. The latter are covered by union rules that govern everything from working hours to compensation.{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-aug-29-et-kidnation29-story.html|title='Kid Nation' puts Hollywood labor tension into sharp focus|last=Fernandez|first=Maria Elena|date=August 29, 2007|website=Los Angeles Times|access-date=April 28, 2019}} This debate over participant status could be seen in an American Federation of Television and Radio Artists investigation over whether its AFTRA National Code of Fair Practices for Network Television Broadcasting was violated. The investigation went forward even though on reality shows, the Network Code generally covers professional performers, but not the participants. Some parents on hand for the final day of filming accused the producers of feeding children lines, re-casting dialogue and repeating scenes, all of which suggested that the children functioned as actors. Producer Tom Forman said that the parents were observing routine "pickups" for scenes that might have been missed because of technical difficulties.{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-aug-31-et-kidnation31-story.html|title='Kid Nation' parents speak out|last=Fernandez|first=Maria Elena|date=August 31, 2007|website=Los Angeles Times|access-date=April 28, 2019}}

CBS defended the production's conduct as both legal and ethical, including the response to minor injuries on the set. The network characterized some early allegations as irresponsible, exaggerated or false.{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/la-et-kidnation27aug27-story.html|title='Kid Nation's' current reality: investigations|last=Fernandez|first=Maria Elena|date=August 26, 2007|website=Los Angeles Times|access-date=April 28, 2019}}

As the children that participated became adults, they began to discuss the show's events in various media outlets, with stories of various praise and concern of the show's production. One of the first such was from Michael who offered a Reddit "Ask Me Anything" in 2014, noting that the show had set out to try to fill various stereotypes with casting. The A.V. Club spoke to several of the participants in 2020, including Laurel, Anjay, and Olivia, confirming some of the stories, and that much of the show as presented on television was more dramatized than actually occurred, setting up certain children like Olivia as a "stock villain", despite this not being the case behind the cameras.{{cite web | url = https://www.avclub.com/bonanza-city-revisited-the-pioneers-of-kid-nation-rem-1842153606 | title = Bonanza City, revisited: The pioneers of Kid Nation remember the controversial reality show | first = Deena | last = ElGenaidi | date = March 10, 2020 |access-date = May 26, 2020 | work = The A.V. Club }} There had been a highly-publicized story about one child drinking bleach;{{cite web | url = http://www.today.com/id/20414428/ns/today-today_entertainment/t/kid-nation-draws-complaints-one-parent/ | title = 'Kid Nation' draws complaints from one parent | date = 2013 | publisher = Associated Press | access-date = May 26, 2020 | archive-date = May 26, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200526073112/http://www.today.com/id/20414428/ns/today-today_entertainment/t/kid-nation-draws-complaints-one-parent/ | url-status = dead }} Anjay explained in this report that this had been a result of a bottle of bleach being mistaken for a bottle of seltzer water that they had for flavoring drinks in the town store, but medical staff were there immediately to treat the affected child who was returned to the set shortly afterward. Anjay stated that there were over 200 adults near the set at any time, and while he did not consider the show in any way abusive, he did state that "it was definitely a lot more exploitative than I remember it being back then" on watching it as an adult. YouTuber JonTron (Jon Jafari) interviewed Jimmy, the first child to leave the show, in 2020. Jimmy criticized the harsh conditions that the production crew placed upon the children, such as making them cook their own food and wash their own dishes, the poor sanitary conditions (one outhouse for 40 kids and no showers until the first showdown) and the poor sleeping conditions. He also confirmed that on two separate occasions, ambulances were called because one child accidentally consumed bleach from an improperly rinsed container, and the aforementioned Divad Miles burned her face with grease while cooking.{{cite web|title= Jimmy Tells All (Kid Nation Exclusive) - JonTron|website= YouTube|author= JonTron|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_p9jlbi91sk |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/_p9jlbi91sk |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|date= May 19, 2020|access-date= May 20, 2020}}{{cbignore}}

Forman has stated that he would like to return to Kid Nation not so much to produce a sequel, given the amount of difficulty it would take to produce such a work, but more as a "where are they now" type program to follow where the cast has since become as adults.

• Boys and Girls Alone - a British show that attracted similar controversy
• Social effects of television
• Lord of the Flies

{{reflist}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20070902163202/http://www.cbs.com/primetime/kid_nation/ Official Kid Nation Site (via Internet Archive)]
• {{IMDb title|id=1039921|title=Kid Nation}}

Category:2000s American reality television series

Category:2007 American television series debuts

Category:2007 American television series endings

Category:2007 controversies in the United States

Category:American English-language television shows

Category:CBS reality television shows

Category:Television controversies in the United States

Category:Television series about children

Category:American television series about teenagers

Category:Television series by Endemol

Category:Television shows filmed in New Mexico