Fall's Most Controversial New Show

If controversy translates into ratings, “Kid Nation” will be the highest-rated new show of the season.

“Kid Nation” is a reality show were kids ages 8-15 spend 40 days in a New Mexico ghost town, following their own rules without adult supervision.

The controversy started when a “New York Times” article described the filming conditions as unsafe after several kids needed medical attention after they drank bleach left in an unmarked bottle.

Then, the New Mexico Attorney General got involved after complaints that state child labor laws were exploited. CBS maintains the show “was filmed responsibly and within all applicable laws…at the time of the production.” New Mexico has since modified the number of hours a minor can work in a production.

The Attorney General is also investigating if producers kept state inspectors who wanted to review work permits from the set. CBS says the production was exempt from work permits since the kids were participants, not workers.

Now, Hollywood unions are getting involved, taking this opportunity to attack the networks for using reality shows “to keep costs down by not paying writers and actors.”

For me, the worst part of this show is the parents who allowed their children to participate in the first place—especially when you take a look at the contract the parents had to sign (courtesy of “The Smoking Gun”).

The contract specifically says that the show was set in “inherently dangerous travel areas that may expose the Minor and other participants to a variety of unmarked and uncontrollable hazards and conditions that may cause the Minor serious bodily injury, illness or death, including, without limitation: general exposure to extremes of heat and cold; water hazards; floods; drowning…encounters with wild or domesticated animals…

“TV Guide” reports that the contract also said the show was not responsible if a minor got pregnant or contracted an STD during filming.

By the way, the penalty for contestants who talk? $5 million, which CBS can collect up to three years after the show ends.

“Kid Nation” premieres Wednesday, September 19th at 8 p.m. on CBS…