Comments on: Kid Nation: Cruelty does not become them http://www.ibabuzz.com/aparentlyspeaking/2007/11/14/kid-nation-cruelty-does-not-become-them/ From diapers to diplomas, an irreverent, practical guide to all things parenting Sun, 15 Apr 2012 00:18:20 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 By: Ari Soglin http://www.ibabuzz.com/aparentlyspeaking/2007/11/14/kid-nation-cruelty-does-not-become-them/comment-page-1/#comment-143 Ari Soglin Thu, 15 Nov 2007 20:47:10 +0000 http://www.ibabuzz.com/aparentlyspeaking/2007/11/14/kid-nation-cruelty-does-not-become-them/#comment-143 Ann, you are, of course, correct about Laurel being the only one with enough gall to shove the pioneer journal where it belongs. I didn’t see that last night — I did think she came across as selfish — because I’ve thrown in the towel. I’ve accepted the show for what it is: adults steering kids to situations likely to create conflict.

I am assuming it’s all orchestrated: Laurel’s position against mixing up the districts, Mike’s apology to Nathan, Zach’s selection of Blaine to rile up Greg. I suspect that’s all scripted, not the dialogue but the decisions.

And you know what? I laughed more last night than I have at any episode. I laughed at Emilie and her promise to pick up her game after being swapped from Red to Blue; at Greg and his immature whining; at Jared being Jared (OK, so Jared’s a hoot and deserves the laughter).

It’s no longer reality TV for me. It’s ’70s sitcom, and I’m the canned laugh track. I’ve accepted my role. And I can’t wait for this season to end. But in the meantime, I intend to have a few chuckles.

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