I didn't get to see the whole show but did see the last 20 minutes. Not sure how it all got started but I did DVR it and will watch later.

Wondered what people thought of it.

I got to see the one boy decide to go home and the one girl win $20,000

I don't see reason for all the controversy but as I said, I didn't see the beginning yet.

It was actually alot different than I expected. Sorry to see little Jimmy go home, but 8 is pretty young and I think he was really homesick. I think this will be an interesting show. I missed the first 20 minutes though so between the two of us Chairo, we probably saw the whole thing. oh and the whole $20,000 gold star for the week was awesome!!!

Whoops ... I didn't see the FIRST 20 minutes either. So we need someone who saw the whole thing. How it started.

I just watched it online...it is actually a pretty cute show. I though it was going to be really stupid... Jimmy was such a little cutie...to bad he left! :cry Oh well...

I saw it and LOVED it!! We need to get dflem to move this to the front page! I TiVo'd it because my 10 year old bugged me too and I have to say I loved every last second of it and cannot wait until next week's show!!

It was very surreal for me that some of these kids have brilliant minds. There was a scene when a couple of the younger kids were discussing the 1 latrine in the camp (for 40 kids) and how stinky it was. One little boy vowed he would never go poo in that latrine and he'd hold it if he had to and how bad that is for the colon. I couldn't believe a 10 year old was aware of this. :laugh

I was sad to see Jimmy go too. I cried right along with him. I did love how throughout the show all of the kids tried to get him to stay in one capacity or another. I hope they have a encore presentation this weekend so more people can see it.

I caught bits and pieces and it was cute

Things I have learned from kid nation...

1. kid society exactly mirrors adult society
2. people who are PITAs now were PITAs then
3. every group has a "squeeky wheel"--the winner of last week's gold star in this instance.

I thought this week's show was very "meh" for me. I thought Greg got robbed though. Sorry I can't remember his name but that kid with the cowboy hat the glasses on the council has a serious axe to grind with Greg and I don't think he will EVER recognize the work he is doing as worth a gold star because "Greg wants one." Sad but how like adults is that? Very.

Little Taylor needs to step it up or I can see her going off the Council.

I didn't see this episode, but Greg should also realize that if he's an ass to authority, that won't earn him a gold star either... much like the real world.

Greg wasn't an ass this week. He did some VERY helpful things like--he was the only one who knew how to butcher chickens (and he did it) and he thawed the town's only water pump AND pitched in to help clean up dishes the cooks had left sitting around for 2 or more days... Hmmmm, sounds like little rancher boy isn't the only one with an axe to grind with Greg...

I agree that Greg really stepped it up this week, but Michael recognized that he was only doing it for the money. I think they have decided to wait to give Greg the gold star. If they give it to him now, he'll go back to being an arse in camp. I think next week will show just how much of an act it was with him and that they truly made the right decision. Michael's intentions have been honorable since day 1.

It was great seeing little miss beauty queen put in her place about getting her team motivated in the kitchen. However, her diva-like attitude completely cracks me up.

I don't know the little boy's name who is like the color commentary. He's one of the young ones and his cowboy hat is too big and he's on the red team. I think he's absolutely hysterical, but my 10 year old hates him. :laugh

I think you mean Jared. The one who said he would not poo in the outhouse last week? That's Jared.

I know I don't have altrustic motivations when I go to work either. I don't know about you but I don't do it for the "common good," I do it for the money.

I'm enjoying the show.
last night: killing of 2 chickens.at first I said 2 chickens won't feed 40 kids but they made a soup
Surprisingly they didn't give the money to the kid that killed the chicken, taught them how to remove the feathers and cut it. boooo
expecting him( Greg?) and Sophia to try to take over the town
like that they do a competiton ala Survivor

I don't see it Sasha. I think the town will listen to their council and realize what is being done. Let's watch and see...

It came down to giving the star to Greg who slaughtered the chickens, helped clean them, helped cut them up and gut them, and who also helped clean the dishes. What difference does it make whether he was working for the star of just being a nice guy....the facts are, without him this past episode they wouldn't have been eating meat.

Michael thawed the water pump ---- duh they are in the desert. When the sun came up the pump would have thawed. I like Michael. He is a good kid. but Greg deserved the star. It would have also kept him pacified and willing to do even more. Michael did his job .. nothing more nor less ... Greg took the extra step for the good of all.

Taylor needs to go as a council member ... beauty queens don't do certain things and need their sleep ... give me a break.

YES these are children and they are acting like children. They are not rewarding those doing the work (like Greg) but the ones' who talk well like Michael ... so yeah, just like in the adult world ... the smooth talkers always win the election

Thanks Chairo! I couldn't have said it better myself. Do we share a brain?? :laugh

Uh guys, Michael, did more than "thaw the pump". You're just haten'. :laugh

Thank's JB I have wondered the same thing LOL

Greg wanted the star ... sounds like financially he can really use it. He did bust his butt for the reward. As a member of the UPPER CLASS he did not have to do this .., ulterior motive ... probably but what he did was good for the group.

Michael is a good robot. (I really like Michael) but he did not outwork Greg. What he did, in retrospect was redundant ... the sun would have done his work for him

The insinuation from the host is that the council is NOT safe all the time. Taylor needs to be ejected from the council. I am tired or her 'we are the youngest' excuse. Get over it.

Sophie and Greg and Michael SHOULD take over the town and then things would get done. As it is they are doing the stuff the others are SUPPOSED to be doing and getting nothing for their efforts.

There has been one person from day one who speaks out against the council and that is Sophie .... the still gave her the star ... I call that good politics but they didn't buy her support as they might have thought.

Will Greg act up, do nothing and be PO'd next week ... probably! and I most probably would too, after busting his butt, helping everyone else and then being ignored by the council. What do they expect ... almost everyone there expected Greg to get the prize.

What else can he do? The kid has blood on his hands for the good of the group and even that wasn't enough.

Now having said all this I don't care for Greg. He seems like a bully and I didn't like the bragging and they other things his group had done in the first episode. The star was his incentive to do better ... and there is nothing I have heard that the star can only be won once by the same person, so I don't agree that he would have been a jerk again once he won ... I do now however believe he will definitely be a jerk ... why shouldn't he be? Being helpful got him nowhere.

I did not see Michael do anything but what his 'class' required him to do. Thawed the pump, carried the water, gave a pep talk ... what else? Maybe I missed something, but don't think so

Ok, chairo, I don't buy this at all (the italicized part in particular)... what that is called is a tantrum, and I don't buy that you would do that. I suppose it's to be expected on a kids show, but that doesn't mean I have to respect it.

I am trying to put my self in the shoes of a 9-14 year old ... as a child who feels they have been overlooked I WOULD throw a tantrum ---- well actually what I would do (and can see Greg doing) is to goof off, do nothing at all, and let everyone see what a great worker I was. Then they'd all come crawling back to me, stroke my ego and shout my name in the middle of town square begging me to be the KING (queen) of the villiage, give me every gold star for the rest of the show and .... well you get the picture

ok, I see what you're saying now... I'm not sure it would work... people have to let go of their pride before that ever happens... I think if he shows that this is a trend, it's more likely that they reward him for it.

The gold star is for the best kid in camp or the best pioneer or something - I can't remember exactly how it's worded - but I feel pretty sure that it was never said that it was for the hardest worker. I think that the council looked at the whole picture. Michael had a good attitude from day one, which is as important to their cause as the work that Greg did was. They need people with good attitudes.

FG, I am NOT a hater! Hahahahahaha :laugh

I guess we need to remember that they ARE just kids by the way, so I'm not sure we can expect them to act like adults. Will I be surprised if Greg slacks off in retaliation? No. Do I particularly like him? No. Would I like to see him rewarded for his hard work? Yes, because he DID help alot regardless of his motives and because as he said he DOES need the money for college.

BTW, FG, did you see that 3 contestants are from our home state??? Whoo- hoo! Go Indiana!

I am not sure they really made a big thing about what the gold star was for exactly. It is given to the one chosen by the council whatever their reasons might be.

In the first episode it was given to Sophie because she did all the cooking. They seem to set the standard by saying that was their reason. So again .. going strictly by the fact Greg did more for the group this week he deserved the prize.

Also as said before ... Michael is pleasant, and I really like him, and I have no doubt there would have been a time when he would win the gold star. However pouring hot water on the water pump to get it working, when the sun would have accomplished that soon enough, was not 'good enough' to win the prize.

If you recall Sophie's attitude the first week was to criticize the way things were running, but stepped in and did the cooking even when it wasn't her job. They didn't penalize her for not liking the council. The rewarded her work ethic.

Same thing with Greg. He didn't criticize the council and he had a great work ethic this week. I personally believe had he won it, he would have gone on to be one of the better workers in the town. Now, I don't seem him as being anything but bitter. He busted his butt last week and received nothing for it, so as a teenager he will probably just say what the heck .. if work gets him nowhere, being nice gets him nowhere, then he'll just be a screw off like he was in the beginning.

People here and the council all seemed to think his motivation was the gold star. It WAS! Isn't that the point of offering a reward? To motivate? I didn't like Greg the first week. But I sure respected the way he stepped in and helped this week. I was impressed ... whatever his reasoning.

Actually the only person in the whole program that grades on me is Taylor. She is annoying, petty and doesn't do much but play and sleep. If I were any of the others in that town I'd be upset she was on the council. Even her own group is getting upset with her doing nothing.

Once again as JB pointed out, we must remember these are children and will do things as children.

Michael was in consideration last week AND this week so apparently he's doing a lot more than you are seeing. ;)

I wonder if Taylor's exuse would work for me if I'm late to work...

"Ah trahd to geht out ah behd, ah reahlly dehd!" Hahahaha

I've used that and the "beauty queen's don't do that" excuse a couple of times at my work. It's all in the accent jb. :laugh

Ah, that accent IS difficult to fake. I AM North of I-70 you know!

Most people are! :laugh

I just watched the episode, and I have to say, that while I wouldn't disagree with them giving the gold star to Greg, I also see why they gave it to Michael. On last week's episode, Greg was not only a pain in Michael's ass, but a bully. He even physically shoved him. I don't think I'd be wanting to give him a gold star right away either. I'd want to give him two weeks to prove his worth. Michael was a real help to the town council both last week and this week. He is able to calm people down when they get pissed off at each other, and is able to bring everyone on his side. He would make an excellent politician, and I see why he deserves this gold star as well.

As far as the vegetarian girl... I had enough of her.... cry me a freaking river....

And the stuff about Taylor... well, it's already been covered...

I didn't get to see the entire show but will watch it later. However I think the star was given last night simply because of the birthday. I do think however, it is nice they will recognize the younger of the group as having things to contribute.

Greg still deserved the prize. Just because one of the council members doesn't like him doesn't mean he isn't busting his butt for the group. Of course children are going to vote for who they like and it won't matter if they are hard workers or not.

I am glad Taylor got called out last night. She really is a prima donna and if someone or something doesn't nip that in the bud she is going to be a horrible adult. I actually sort of like Taylor, but she is so into herself.

Of course since I forgot it was on I didn't record it either. Bummer. I figured when they kept showing Greg that he was going to get passed by again. As you said they're going to vote for who they like--adults do it too unfortunately. Life is NOT fair. I still think he deserves it but I can see the producers making us wait the whole show and FINALLY at the end, Greg will get his gold star. Ah, completely unpredictible, un-rehearsed "reality tv!" Gotta love it!

I disagree jb. I don't think the producers have any say whatsoever in this. It would ruin the integrity of the show. I think these kids are very intelligent and know precisely what they are doing. I still commend them for keeping Greg holding on because I will maintain until the show is over if they give it to him now, he'll be a useless jackass the remainder of his time out there, if he stays.

The gal who got the gold star this week may not be shown doing a lot of physical labor, but there is a lot that she may be doing other than minding the store and keeping her head about her. How easy would it have been for her to give our favorite cook the bag for a nickle? Really easy, but then what happens when they don't have enough money to recoup those things that are no longer there. There's a lot more to this that we aren't seeing unfortunately. Yes, I think her birthday helped to tilt the scales, but having it put in perspective that the little kids can be just as eligible for contributing to Bonanza in as big a way as they can, makes their town run more efficiently in the long run.

Seeing Taylor take control of the curfew situation was nice. However, leaders need to lead by example. She may be going to bed by 9:30 but her work ethic is lacking and I'm glad there is the ability for a mutiny of the town council members to keep them in check. I like her too, but everybody is equal in Bonanza regardless of what you were before arriving. :D

So there was another casualty of Bonanza last night. Young Cody couldn't take the home-sickness any longer. I thought the religious discussions were a little too "forced". There were some really good points made and I like that they were able to share in each other's religious differences in the end.

Well once again I missed most of it last night due to work--blast this job! I did however see that another of my Indiana girls won the gold star! :)

"Your" Indiana girls jb? You mean "our" Indiana girls. Any idea what part of IN they are from?

The web page doesn't say what part, but probably Indy--that's where EVERYONE is from don't you know? :O

I finally got to watch this weeks episode. Another child (Ohio's Cody) decided to leave. It was so cute seeing him talk about his 'girlfriend' and how much he misses her. Boy they start young these days.

Taylor is still pushing my buttons. Such a diva for such a young age. Every week there are more complaints about her and the fact she does nothing. They all groaned when the yellow team got cooking duties again.

I must say, I was totally surprised the kids chose the religious books over the golf stuff. I don't know many who would do that. It makes me wonder if they are not prompted as to what to take. We are talking about over 30 kids of all ages giving up GOLF ... I find it hard to believe.
If it's true it was done totally by their own choices then I guess I need to rethink how I feel this world is heading right now.

I am sort of getting bored with this show. It's the same thing every week. You can count on Taylor to PO everyone. You can count on Michael to be against Greg winning the gold star because his motives may be only to win the gold and not help the town. To me this is a wrong reason to deny the kid the money. He obviously needs it and he is busting his butt to get hit. Whatever his motives, the town is getting a lot of work out of him. He is not my favorite person, but I hate to see someone disappointed week after week when he really has made some drastic changes.

Looks as if the council may have a mutiny on their hands and Taylor may not be on the council much longer. When the host asked if the things the kids said about her bothered her and she said not really, I wanted to smack her. It makes me wonder why of all the kids she was chosen to be on the council.

I would choose religion over golf just because golf is so friggin boring. Even as a kid I thought it was boring, books can be interesting at least. But golf? Never! omg, it's like brussel sprouts and okra and every green and slimy thing parents try to tell kids are good for them but are really just icky foul-tasting things.

gotta agree with ern about golf... golf is not an interesting game in the least, especially not for kids...