The Morning After: Kid Remuneration

@James - How is Kid Nation doing in the ratings? Given all the child labor and exploitation hub bub pre-debut, do you think there is a chance of finding a second venue and season?

It is interesting to watch kids getting an education in the school of hard knocks. Choosing new clothes and hand powered washing machines instead of really dirt cheap coin operated washers and dryers. Making and selling a product to make extra money instead of raiding supplies from the kitchen to sell. Being recognized and rewarded for your quiet hard work instead of promoting yourself and expecting entitlement. Choosing to stick it out instead of giving up when things get hard. I've really enjoyed Kid Nation.

@Keith: Not well. I think 8 million viewers last I checked. I'd call it a toss-up for renewal at best, not that I've looked into it.

JAMES! Pushing Daisies was HILARIOUS last night.
No "watch"?

Emerson's phone call to the money was classic.
That show consistantly makes me laugh, tho i wonder how long they'll be able to keep it up.

It's too bad I missed Kid Nation yesternight. I kinda want to know who said that quote and why. Did it have something to do with a weird inter-class rivalry because the upper class got paid so much more than the cooks?

Ratings-wise, I recall that last week, KN was fourth. But that was probably just a fluke with FOX's World Series coverage. Pushing Daisies probably only beats it because it's so acclaimed by all the critics. I've only caught the first episode and it seemed okay, but nothing spectacular.

Lastly, I'll say I like Life a lot, but I fear it'll probably be cancelled. I know NBC ordered three more episodes, but the storyline is just dragging. I love LOST, but I used to say that a lot of episodes were 45 minutes of pure crap and then 5-10 minutes of pure exhiliration. I almost feel that way about Life now, because I don't even really care about the present crime they're investigating and only care about Det. Crews' backstory and him finding out what happened in his past.

@Vinny - That quote came from the spastic acting Jared I believe to Daved (black girl) or some of her friends.

She set up a stand on the sidewalk selling stuff she took from the kitchen. Several people took exception to her selling what is free for everyone to get from the kitchen. Her justification is that you can purchase how much of a can of apples you want to eat instead of wasting a whole can. The more Jared complained, she and her friends accused him of not appreciating her initiative to make money and jealousy over her making money.

Now that I think about it, I think the quote actually came from Daved and her friends to Jared in defense of their actions. Bill Gates made Microsoft and no one complained about that.

Daved was actually angling for the gold star. She was dreaming up ways to look busy and telling everyone what a hard worker she was. The town council had everyone come into the church one at a time and tell them who they thought was deserving. Daved was serving snacks to those in line in a last ditch effort to impress them with her "hard work". When it was her turn to "vote", she recommended herself. Needless to say, she didn't get the gold star.

Jared on the other hand started collecting scraps of wood and used a magnifying glass to burn Bonanza City into them and made souvenir necklaces that he started selling. He made enough money to buy some pimpin' items to wear around town.

Last night was the first episode of Pushing Daisies that I really didn't like. I thought the mother being the killer was obvious as soon as she was introduced.

Also, Chuck and the Piemaker's relationship moved from cute to annoying for the first time. The cheesy music and be loving stares every time they parted ways? Does anyone else find that frustrating when we know they can never end up together? Or is this show just one giant promotion for celibacy?

@carlos: No time for Daisies Watch. Short Daisies Watch:

Pro: Olive gets some screen-time love, Lee Pace gets some dramatic love.

Con: "How can we make the Harry Potter narrator sound even more precious? I know! We'll have him speak in rhyme!"

@James and JAL- LOL ok fair enough, i guess Chi McBride was just cracking me up.

@Keith. Thanks for the update. Jared's idea seems pretty enterprising. It's an interesting twist that the town council has all the kids come in and make their case for who deserves the gold star.

Carlos the Dwarf, Pushing Daisies is by far my favorite new show this season. I was thinking today, how would I classify this show? Is it a comedy, fantasy, romantic-comedy? I don't really think its consistently funny enough to be a comedy. However, every episode has at least one laugh out loud moment.

The main thing that keeps me coming back every week is Chuck's character. I haven't decided if its the actress or perfectly written lines, but that character is amazing. She absolutely nails the role of an innocent, sheltered, yet smart hometown girl. What does everyone else think?