Dave Shiflett Skewers Kid Nation
I found the idea of Kid Nation irritating and the big buzz by the media even worse. To my mind, Kid Nation is just a proof of the dearth of good ideas in the TV entertainment industry. While I couldn’t completely ignore the show--I read the Internet, talk to others, and watch TV occasionally; some things just won’t go away--but I happily refused to watch it. If Dave Shiflett’s review is accurate, it was good miss.
The run-up to the highly hyped debut of ``Kid Nation’’ included denying previews to critics, leading to speculation that CBS feared preemptive panning.
If so, the fear was well-founded. A pan won’t do for this turkey. This is gong material.
The new ``reality’’ series features 40 kids ages 8-15 who are supposed to remake an old New Mexico town—named Bonanza—that reportedly failed under adult rule.
Viewers are apparently to be impressed by the tykes’ resilience, sense of community and pioneer spirit, all blossoming free of adult supervision.
Yet one quickly senses that this is a big puppet show, with the strings being pulled by guidance counselors, social workers, homeroom teachers and other destroyers of youthful exuberance.
“Destroyers of youthful exuberance.” Beautiful.