CBS plans to air several new series in the fall. One is especially intriguing.
CBS has ordered 13 one-hour episodes of a new reality show where kids build a community from scratch in an abandoned ghost town, sources said.
"Kid Nation," from Emmy-winning "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" producer Tom Forman, placed 40 "over-achieving" kids ages 8 to 15 in the abandoned town of Bonanza City, New Mexico. For 40 days, the group elected leaders, passed laws, established a local economy and performed chores to build a functioning society.
Sources close to the deal emphasized the show is not "Lord of the Flies" or "'Survivor' with kids." There are no eliminations, but participants can go home if they choose. The kids do not have to find food and shelter, but did live in "primitive conditions," without modern comforts, and are responsible for cooking their own meals.
Each episode will conclude with a warm, "Extreme Makeover"-style moment, where a member of the group is rewarded for his or her work by the show's host -- the only on-camera adult in the series.
"Nation" wrapped production last week. CBS had no comment, but sources said the network kept news of the production tightly under wraps to prevent competitor copycats, and to surprise advertisers at its upfront presentation Wednesday.
Kids trying "to build a functioning society." Sounds like the Bush administration's efforts in Iraq. Bet these 8 to 15 year olds did a better job.
