In the end, however, I was invested. I knew a lot about these kids. Taylor, the spoiled brat. Greg, the hypocrite. Sophia, the bossy hard worker. Alex and Jared, the mini geniuses. Most of the kids had a unique personality (at least those we got to see up close

So, when CBS billed the finale as being filled with surprises, I didn’t hold out much hope but I tuned in. Glad I did. They flew the episode at warp speed: fire, candy stealers, almost little girl cat fight, one final challenge, parents showing up, last three gold stars being awarded. It was a lot, and a long time coming. In context of the show, this was as good as it gets. Yeah, not all of it felt genuine, but it was just enough payoff. All in all, they are good kids and they did more than even I expected. That said, it was a lengthy investment to have to make, and the reward of the finale isn’t enough to bring me back for a second season. It’s just enough to keep me from calling the first season a total waste.

But for us adults watching, it was a disappointment because it was so contrived. Yeah, if you google that word, you’ll probably find this blog. Sorry if I sound like a broken record on that point, but it was inescapable week after week.

And the gold stars were a disaster, making us question everyone’s motives.

Since the council had to award three final gold stars, I have no problem with the merits of Sophia and Morgan. If Migle deserved it, well, it must be for her actions off camera. The council members spoke highly of her, so perhaps her best moments never aired.

As for Sophia, for one kid to get so much more cash than everyone else is just wrong. Most of those kids, who will go home with wonderful memories, will never forget that moment.

- Ari Soglin

8:54 Huge gold stars, surprising winners?

No surprise, here. Sophia wins the $50,000 star. She wasn’t one of my favorite people, but she was the hardest worker from day one. Morgan, however, was shocking. I think even she was stunned. And that just makes it all the better. Migle was the real head-shaker. Just goes to show, we mustn’t have seen a lot that want on. I hardly know who she even is. But her reaction was worth watching.

The real surprise in all this was Greg snowballing Morgan’s dad. Wait until he sees all the episodes air. Then, let’s see what he really thinks. — Ann Tatko-Peterson

8:47 Reunion with the parents
Gotta agree that the reunion of the parents and kids has been one of the better segments of the entire season.

Favorite moments:

One boy asks, “Did you bring underwear and socks?”

Stunned looking faces, mouths agape as they see the living conditions and chicken feet.

Now, it’ll get ugly as they get to award $150k. They’re all sucking up to try to get it.

- Ari Soglin

8:43 Ah, look who’s come to town

Well, I called that one. The parents are the surprise guests. And I guess I’m a sap. It’s cool to see these kids finally get to be kids. It’s the most genuine moment we’ve had on this entire show. It’s hilarious, too. “City slickers” one kid quips as her mom uses the outhouse. Priceless. Finally, I’m liking this show. — Ann Tatko-Peterson

8:40 Artificial stupidity
Wouldn’t it have been great if these kids could have learned something during the picnic preparation:

Instead of making picnic tables from prefabricated wood with pre-drilled holes, they should have used raw materials and really learned something. The adults made it a competition against the clock for no good reason.

- Ari Soglin

8:35 Party, then fight for the cash

I bet a few folks were wishing they hadn’t elected Greg. He gets to decide who gets the big bucks. Oh, that won’t sit well with a few people. I’ll say this, though, it’s fun to watch these kids hustle like they’ve never hustled so they have a shot at $50,000 times three. Loved Zach’s “Thank goodness Taylor got us the microwave.” I’ll laugh myself silly if Taylor wins $50,000. That would be like hell freezing over. — Ann Tatko-Peterson

8:31 So much for letting the kids run the town

Now we’ve got three $50k stars. Things could really get ugly now. I can see Zach pouting because he got the 20k star instead of the big bucks.

It’s going to be all about the money the rest of the way. It’s the worst thing they’ve done yet to this show. I’m not looking forward to the final half hour.

- Ari Soglin

8:27 Last day meltdown

Yeah, Taylor is at it again. They’ve made the chickens their roommates. But wow, Yellow District turning on Emilie is wrong. Guess Taylor is leader of the brat pack. Almost got a final day fistfight. These kids are watching too much Big Brother. – Ann Tatko-Peterson

8:24 “Last” gold star
It goes to Zach. I’m OK with that, but think his look of surprise was faked. (Call me “Greg.”)

More evidence that the gold star’s monetary value has tainted the process: DK’s tears and reluctance to decide who gets the gold star may stem from the 20k that’s at stake. If he were simply deciding who should be acknowledged for their hard work, would it be such a stressful moment?

Gotta like Mike saying others deserve it more. I woulda given it to him. I don’t like seeing Laurel suggesting her fellow Green District member deserves a second star. 

- Ari Soglin

 8:20 Slow down, you’ve got 45 more minutes

Let’s all catch a breath. Fire. Anarchy. Clean-up. And now a gold star that has to be awarded in mere minutes. Seems like the producers are trying to pack a lot into a short amount of time. And that’s not necessarily a good thing. Of course, it sure beats the predictability that has plaqued this show throughout.

But if they give Sophia another gold star, I’m going to scream. Yeah, she works but she’s also a power-hungry, bossy kid who’s getting on my nerves. There are a whole lot of kids who’ve done a lot — just not as loudly — who deserve a shot. — Ann Tatko-Peterson

8:16 Anarchy, yes!
Free candy. Kids acting like kids. Let’s see how they deal with it.

Zach is upset and says, “We were building a city.” He’s wrong. The kids weren’t building anything. They were being steered toward different scenarios. Now, in this episode, maybe, they’ll get to build something.

- Ari Soglin

8:12 Burn it, baby 

Finally, the Pioneer Book is gone. Glad to see that one go up in smoke. The job board on fire, now that was a little too over the top.

Oh, and now look, uncivil rest in Bonanza. We’re finally seeing kids at their worst. Raiding the candy jars, acting like idiots. This show is really going to the maniacs now. So much for the kids “learning” in this little reality TV experiment. — Ann Tatko-Peterson

8:08 Stuff I wonder 
Will Mallory slam Anjay or hug him? Will Anjay have a breakdown?

Will Taylor say “Deal with it” one last time?

Will they kill more chickens?

Will Jared again send me to the dictionary? 

8:00 Here we go, season finale starts now 

Boy, CBS really threw us a ton of melodrama (recap) and hyped up the ending. Kind of hate when networks do that. The show rarely lives up to the billing. I’m with my cohort. Give me one last Taylor fix, and a little Greg thrown in for good measure. I really love how the show keeps telling us to get ready for surprises. Hmmm, let me guess. Will the parents be showing up to claim the kids they abandoned to reality television for 40 days? — Ann Tatko-Peterson

7:45 Doesn’t feel like the Super Bowl

The end is at hand. The last episode of Kid Nation. And it feels more like the last game of the season for the Oakland Raiders than a playoff or Super Bowl game.

There’s little at stake. Right now, I just want to see the tearful good-byes. One last Taylor rant. One last inappropriate comment from Greg. One final poignant remark from Michael.

But we do have this to look forward to: Live blogging during the show. We’ll be chirping away tonight. Join in and post your comments.

T-15. The tension is just palpable, isn’t it?!

So, to mark the occasion, fellow blogger Ari Soglin and I will chime in with our thoughts LIVE on the blog tonight. Join us at 8 p.m. Tell us what you think in the comments. We’d love to know we’re not in this alone.

It’s now such a mish-mash that I don’t know whether the Sheriff Sophia storyline in Episode 12, “Where’s Bonanza, Dude,” was pure kid plot or completely orchestrated by the adults.

When the four Bonanza City Town Council leaders set off on a hike into the wilderness, they left Sophia in charge. The other kids reacted appropriately. As Nathan said, “You’re giving Sophia a lot of power; we didn’t elect her.”

Sophia had a glint in her eye. I wondered whether the 14-year-old, who, along with co-Green District member Michael, has exhibited more maturity than anyone else, finally would get corrupted by power.

I’ve written before about trying to accept that everything on this show is adult-driven and just enjoying it for what it is. But this time, I was not able to bury the uncertainty about what’s scripted and what isn’t.

Sophia was perfect. She told the kids they had to do certain chores before she’d unlock the Bonanza City arcade. She gave them specific clean-up goals, and when they hit them, she praised them. “I am so proud of all of you,” she announced. “… Thank you. You’ve earned your arcade.”

I can buy the idea that much of what we saw was genuine Sophia, because she’s exhibited character strengths throughout. But did she get coached or was she all on her own? Because most of Kid Nation does seem contrived, I’m left with doubts. That’s a shame.

Other key moments from this episode:

• It’s nice to have nasty Taylor back. That girl has a violent streak. She told Sophia that she hoped Greg, while out hiking with the Town Council, would get lost and eaten by coyotes.
• They should’ve done one episode that was entirely focused on Jared and Alex. Those two together are a trip. They talk a walk and find a cow skeleton. Alex is nervous about touching the bones. Jared is not. He tells Alex, “If we had some carbon dating process we could see how old the cow was.” And then, carrying part of the animal back with him, he says what might be the line of the year: “Pelvis has left the building, baby.”
• After the showdown, Sophia has to pick between hot-air balloon rides and an everlasting Kid Nation monument. She picks the rides. Yes!! Like they really were going to leave that monument out in the wilderness.
• As Zach comes before the Town Council and tearfully nominates himself for the gold star, Greg laughs. Zach leaves. Greg slams him behind his back, saying the tears were fake. Zach comes back and tells how hurt he was by the laughter. Greg says it’s OK and that he respects Zach. Then, after Zach leaves again, DK tells Greg he’s being duplicitious.
• Poignant moment. The kids realize the end is near and they’re getting sentimental. Even Anjay, who has struggled to get respect, says, “Bonanza City is the only place I ever really fit in.” Ya gotta figure that as awful as the adults have made this show, the 40 kids must’ve had an amazing bonding experience.

Call me a conspiracist, but I suspect the mess we saw in Episode 10 was set up intentionally by the show’s directors in Episode 9.

It’s like this: Want to stir things up in Bonanza City? I have an idea. Let’s put troublemaker Greg and sidekick Blaine on the Town Council. But we have a problem: They’re in the same Blue District and can’t both be on the council. What to do? Split ‘em up.The trade of Blaine to the Yellow District in Episode 9 probably was part of a scheme to create the disharmony we saw in Episode 10.

So be it. The kids may be but pawns, but the show is getting more entertaining.

Laurel got so freaked out by the new guard, she nearly went home. Taylor was threatened with punishment if she didn’t work — finally! The whole town told Greg he’s a jerk.

I just hope things get bad enough in Episode 11 that the kids demand another Town Council vote.

Meanhile, Michael continues to be a gem. He’s calm, wise and knows when to keep his guard up. Michael: “I’ll work with you guys but I’m not going to go against what my own principles and values are.” And later: “My dad always tells me a man is as good as his word on a handshake. … I thought that would get across to [Greg] better than anything else. But you know, we’ll have to see whether it does or not.”

Laurel is getting more interesting. A week ago, she was the only Town Council member to refuse to trade one of her members. Depending on your point of view, either her loyalty was admirable or her selfishness was what brought on the council from hell.

When booted in Episode 10, losing to Michael, she whined. “I have no say in anything. … I was a great council leader.”

Whatever you think of her stubborness in Episode 9, Laurel was a strong leader, and in Episode 10, it got her the gold star. Ironically, earlier, talking of Greg and Blaine, she said, “Once people get the gold star, there’s no point any more. They don’t have to impress anybody.”

I bet Laurel will continue to work hard, mainly because she’ll still want the respect of her Green District.

(Yes, this post is three days late. I, uh, thought there wouldn’t be a new episode Wednesday night and didn’t check til sometime Thursday. So, it was another internet stream for me.)

Where to begin in an episode that had so few saving grace moments. The whole religious gathering and Mike’s “awakening” to be a nicer person felt too contrived. The vacillating personalities of Greg showed us a glimpse of his soft-heart when he comforted a homesick Randi. But that one moment in no way made up for the rotten side of Greg, on display more times than I could count. He threw an immature tantrum when Blaine was plucked from his team and sent to yellow. He called names, then called out Anjay. No offense, buddy, but you can’t threaten to punch someone just because he says something you don’t want to hear. Problem is, Greg’s behavior is about what you’d expect from a cooped up 15-year-old.

We can only hope that too much time together is at the root of evil in all these kids. I’d hate to think we’ve spent all these weeks rooting for a bunch of selfish, disrespectful brats. For starters, Laurel did what every member of the Town Council should have done — she essentially told the producers to shove off with their Pioneer Book, refusing to split up or add to her green district. Unfortunately, the other three council members didn’t follow suit, so by the end of the episode, she was being called selfish by her own district. There were a lot of insults flying. When younger kids cried because they missed home, other kids mocked them behind their back. Heck, Taylor even blamed Zach for Randi’s decision to go home. Clearly, this “game” has gotten out of hand.

And don’t get me started on the reward challenge. For the second week in a row, the producers set up these kids to fail. They had to push 500 pounds of rock each or lose the reward. Excuse us for pointing out the obvious — the red and green teams clearly took as much weight as they could handle and they didn’t even reach the 500 mark. No wonder they were frustrated and hurling insults afterwards. Not that that excuses Sophia’s bleeped-out words to Guylan, or Greg pouring salt in the wound by getting so many others to agree with her.

So, now we get to wait until next week when all four council members are forced into re-elections. Nastiness, no doubt will be back. Frankly, if I were on the council, I’d throw the election. Let someone else be in charge of this ungrateful lot.

– Ann Tatko-Peterson

So, last night, we get a talent show, rather than good deeds, to determine the gold star winner.

Lemme digress: We may have a battle for the next Taylor. Olivia is starting to annoy me. It’s a holdover from her meanness to Anjay when they were battling in the town council election. In this week’s episode, she wasn’t rude but the look of expectation (not hope) on her face as the gold star was announced bugged me. I feel petty for having such feelings toward children, but, well, deal with it! On the other hand, Divad is worse with her campaigning for the gold star and criticisms of the winners. Just awful.

Want to know how to be crowned the new Taylor? Be mean to Alex next week. How can you not like that kid after he said this week that two of the girls are being referred to as “Nicole and Paris, but I don’t really know what that means.”

Where was I? Talent show? Other than Kelsey’s piano playing, little real talent got air time on the show. (Note to producers: How about putting the entire talent show on the KN web site?) But at least we got to see the kids (apparently) doing their own things: Olivia’s stand-up comedy routine; Jared reading Shakespeare (did he bring the book with him to Bonanza City?); Greg and Blaine in drag.

Kennedy, the 12-year-old from Kentucky who was in the spotlight for the first time, was wacky as she promised she’d be. She seemed nice enough. I didn’t dislike her. But this performance was worth the gold star and 20 grand?

I suppose now that the gold star is tainted, it really doesn’t matter how it’s awarded.

Other notes: Do you think Kennedy’s mom could’ve had more makeup on when she got the phone call at the end? Easy on the rouge, mom. … The bubble-gum chewing showdown was somewhat original. Reminded me of Bubblegum Alley in San Luis Obispo. … Would someone please burn the pioneer journal?

But in the end, it’s the gold star that had me grimacing this week. This one reminded me of a political race — a whole lot of smoke, not a lot of substance.

We’ve got Divad “the potato girl” trying to convince the whole town she’s working hard. Eyes rolling and under-the-breath mutterings kind of killed that one for her. (And for the record, we learned tonight that she’s the kid who got splattered in the face with grease but planned to “fight” through it. Only after taping did her mom file a complaint. Hmm… why do I think she won’t be bringing home one of those $20,000 gold stars.) Then we’ve got Pharaoh — I have a single mom, I need the money. The town council hasn’t forgotten how little he worked before the unveiling of the gold star. Which, left us with home-schooled, doesn’t-know-how-to-have-fun Nathan.

Discussion boards are on fire about how Nathan couldn’t even pronounce half the words he spoke. Some wonder if he has a stuttering problem. Others wonder if he’s just socially inept. I’m left wondering why anyone cares. (Please, if you disagree, clue me in because I’m still trying to figure out how this show’s such a ratings success.) About the best part of Nathan being featured was seeing mean-Greg reappear only to offer up an apology later for riding Nathan so hard. (That, I’ll accept as being genuine considering Greg has nothing to gain — he’s already pocketed a gold star.)

The sad fact is that eventually, this show is going to run out of truly deserving kids to give the gold star to. Even more depressing, next week’s previews shows a handful of kids lying in the street out of sheer boredom. Uh-oh, if they’re bored, we’re really in trouble.

– Ann Tatko-Peterson

That Taylor remains a focal point merely shows how weak this program is. Her prima dona attitude is getting old. The echoing complaints about her from the rest of Kid Nation are becoming more annoying. So, why do they keep coming back to this theme? Cuz the show has become as boring as a 13-1 Red Sox blowout of the Rockies.

Greg update: I said last week that after he won the gold star, I expected him to bring back surly Greg. No evidence of that in Episode 6, which had Greg hauling trash and digging a pit and enthusiastically diving into a vat of beans and “live pork” during the weekly Showdown.

What I really want to know: When the kids were rolling around in the vat, was the “live pork,” uh, dropping some mixings into those beans?

And make no mistake, had Taylor won what almost looked as if it would be a popularity contest, I would not be tuning in again next week. It’s bad enough that she’ll still be around town. At least now, a real leader can put her in her place. Bring it on.

The show made another long overdue move in the same episode. Greg, the once loud-mouthed, misbehaving 15-year-old, won the gold star. He made no secret about wanting it. Likely the real motivation behind his hard work and suddenly caring side towards the younger kids was a ploy to win the $25,000 that goes with the star. But let’s face it: this entire show is a set-up. Were it not, the producers would have kept the monetary value of the star a secret until the season ended. Greg has made an effort and he got what he deserved. If his post-win speech is any indication, here’s a kid who actually needs the money. He plans to use it for college. Of course, with the going-rate for college expenses, he’s going to need more than $25,000.

OK, so that’s what went right with the show. Here’s what went wrong — oh so very wrong — apparently 14 days into this little adventure, the kids were still without toothbrushes and dental floss. Their “reward” from the challenge was either hamburgers and hotdogs or buckets with toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss and mouth wash. What is this, rip-off “Survivor?” If the kids picked the meat, as most of them wanted to, they would have neglected their dental hygeine for SIX weeks. Again, the parent is me is bristling. Enough with proving how sensible these kids are when it comes to selecting rewards. Give them the necessities for free and roll out the fun stuff so we can see them be real kids again. This isn’t “Mini-Adult Nation.”
– Ann Tatko-Peterson