The Morning After: "It's a Teepee, Dude."

Sorry, haven't watched a single episode of Kid Nation. But I was intrigued by Dirty Sexy Money last night, and wondering if it has managed to keep its grip on anyone else. I am continuously amazed at how a show with such a soap opera-y premise manages to keep its characters relatively real.

Yes, loved Kid Nation last night. I really wonder how much is set up behind the scenes, and how the kids are told to vote for the gold star. It seems like the kids who are in the running for it know that they are, or know what kind of person to choose, like this week when they were mainly choosing "the smart kids." I've always gotten a kick out of Alex and his one big front tooth.

I didn't get a chance to view Kid Nation last night, but the premise of the show has always been interesting to me. It's great that these kids get head start for potential challenges of the adult life (even if it's harnessed by the reality TV net). At the end of the day, these youths walk away feeling empowered yet grateful for the opportunity to still be young and take it a day at a time!

@James - although the strike now makes this impossible, I'm starting to think that it may be time for a Tuned-In patented second look at Private Practice. I'll be the first to admit this show had problems, but I think it was (just prior to the strike) starting to find its footing and treat its characters as adults more than obnoxious adolescents. Plus, someone needs to talk about the great work of Paul Adelstein...

Super-long post coming up:

I still watch Kid Nation casually. I'm a little bummed that I missed it last week for Shrek the Halls and the Grinch. (I don't have tivo). I recall about a month or so ago that someone on this blog thought that Taylor would have a redemption arc. I would've liked to see it. Guess I'll catch it on the internet! lol.

Anyway, three things about yesterday:
1) The council thought that by giving Alex the gold star, they would be funding the next super-scientist who'll find the cure to cancer. Who says Alex's family needed that money? They could be rich for all the council knows. But on the flip side, the gold star should be awarded to the most deserving person, regardless of whether that person is already rich and "doesn't need" it. So I'm a bit conflicted.
2) There should be a rule that the kids can't nominate themeselves. I almost feel bad for that kid Zach. In the end, I don't, because I don't think he deserved the gold star. But still, kids being able to nominate themselves is a recipe for harsh disappointment.
3) They shut down the arcade because some people felt it was a distraction and prevented the kids from getting to know each other better. What about those weeks before the arcade arrived? It's really more the fault of the kids themselves, and they blamed it on the arcade.