Reality TV is finally put to the test. Adults have been asked to taken on dangers and hardship, pushing themselves to ridiculous limits to win prizes and a few minutes of air time. But never have children been taken from their homes, their parents, and school for an appearance on television. On September 17, 2007, CBS plans to air what has become a program of raging controversy, Kid Nation. Their tag line is "Forty children, 40 days, no adults."
From the perspective of professional acting, this show is a nightmare. SAG rules require that children have very specific protections while on set. California child labor laws are very strict, and take precedence over SAG rules, so there is no way any safety issues can slip through on projects filming in California. However producers of Kid Nation chose to film the project non union, in New Mexico, where the California laws don't apply. Some of the basic tenets covering children in the industry are very strict working hours based on the actor's age with mandatory schooling included. Production is required to have a studio teacher on set at all times. Those teachers also act as welfare workers, making sure children are fed, are safe, are kept out of the hot sun, and other not only legal restrictions but common sense practices as well. Children are to remain in sight and sound of their parents at all times while on set. In this reality show, parents were not allowed on set or even within the vicinity of the location, nor were children allowed to return home unless they chose to leave the show permanently. Children did not attend school, they were filmed 24/7 and worked from very early in the morning until late at night. There were no studio teachers on site.
Rather than rewrite everything that has been written about the show, a list of links to articles and information regarding this production is posted below.
CBS fall preview site - Click on the link to Kid Nation for their spin on the show. Note their link to “About the Cast” Producer Tom Forman claims they purposely did not hire actors, yet they mention the "cast."
Show Contract - Producers collected an enormous amount of very personal data about children and their families. Parents were asked to sign waivers that released them of all rights for their children. Families cannot talk about the show for years into the future or they can be liable for all costs should the show be cancelled as a result. Note: This is a PDF file.
Paul Peterson of A Minor Consideration who works for child welfare in the industry discusses this project.
CBS Crosses the line - James Hibbard on "The Founding of 'Kid Nation'. How CBS Navigated Legal, PR and Logistical Shoals to Produce Key Show"
Parent Files Child Abuse Claim - Suit alleges that one child was burned on the face with hot grease, several children drank bleach and required medical help, and parents were not informed. Production had a medic on site rather than a physician.
Is child exploitation legal in 'Kid Nation' - Los Angeles Times story with more details of what happened while filming.
NY Times story on the child abuse claim.
NPR Radio interview with show producer Tom Forman - Quote from the show: “Producer Tom Foreman said when the show was conceived, the understanding was that the kids were not going to be actors subject to the usual rules. 'We're not going to feed them lines, we're not going to give them set schedules, and on that basis we didn't see a labor problem.' "
Entertainment Weekly interview with show participants
PARF discussion on Kid Nation. This discussion contains detailed information on abuses from the perspective of parents of actors and industry advocates for child welfare on set. Note: this forum is moderated and any posts from non-members will be screened.
Contact information for CBS is provided below if you would like to protest the airing of this show:
Nina Tassler
President, CBS Entertainment
CBS Entertainment
7800 Beverly Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90039-2112
(323) 575-2747