[Mrluvaluva]

From The Daily Mirror

Kids reality show shock

Cross Big Brother with Lord Of The Flies and you've got the world's most shocking reality TV show...

American audiences got their first taste of Kid Nation last week when it was aired on CBS.

They tuned in to watch 40 children aged between eight and 15 try to build a life for themselves in a derelict mining town.

British children's charities have already accused the producers of exploitation.

Production company Good TV Inc have dumped the kids in Bonanza City, New Mexico, to create a functioning society - with a government, laws, business and a class system, but no electricity, TV, phones or internet.

The kids have been split into teams who then compete to become "merchants", "upper class" winners, "cooks" or "labourers".

To fuel rivalry, one child is voted the winner of a gold star worth £10,000 every week - on top of the £2,500 they already receive for appearing.

And bullying and chaos is already rife.

Clips show kids chanting the name of one child and haranguing another.

One contestant's face was burnt while she cooked with hot fat and four kids received treatment after accidentally drinking bleach.

A spokesman for the NSPCC says: "Programme makers have a duty to ensure that children are not hurt or distressed."

But CBS has defended its show, pointing out that paramedics, a paediatrician and a psychologist are all behind the scenes.

Parents and children were required to sign contracts holding them solely responsible for any "emotional distress, illness, sexually transmitted diseases, HIV and pregnancy" resulting from an intimate relationship with "another participant or anyone else".

Michelle Elliot of anti-bullying charity Kidscape says: "This is sick, it's a step too far.

"I'd ask the parents: 'Is your child's 15 minutes of fame worth a lifetime of regret?'"

One child has been burnt and four have drunk bleach.


Original article here

[Mrluvaluva]

Anyone seen it?

[Wasted]

I haven't seen it and I hope not too neither. It sounds sick, it sounds like child exploitation.

[Mrluvaluva]

Trailer here

Youtube video

[Chilltown]

You know I came into this show looking at as if it were rubbish but I hate to say it, Kid Nation is a really good show....

[Mutya]

it was on the BBC news a few months back