Kid Nation: Amazing Grace in Bonanza City
Commentary by Cindy Rutolo Dietrich
November 9, 2007
I got three of my wishes this week.
I found Romeo. I met a few more of the kids in Kid Nation's, Bonanza
City. And, I actually heard Blaine speak.
This week's focus was on a talent show. All of these kids are talented.
They're kind. They're also wise beyond their years. But by day 23 the
kids were bored to tears. They were so bored they lying down in the
street. Sophia started it. "I was really surprised. Kids started laying
down with me." But that just made her annoyed, and more bored. So Sophia
got up to leave.
DK, and some of the others, fed up with the boredom, rang a bell. Called
an impromptu town meeting. They wanted to do something cool. Something
besides eat, sleep and clean.
Before the bell rang Jared said to the camera: "One of the causes of the
Dark Ages was they ditched art and entertainment." We already know from
the show's title that that's the theme for this show. The Town
Council's not even surprised that their hundred year old Pioneer Journal
knows it too. Nor that it suggests that they put on a show because
"maybe if you can get them laughing, singing, dancing and performing,
you can keep them from leaving." Not that leaving seemed a really big
issue. But the kids were definitely bored.
The TC (town council) decides they'll have a talent show, and award the
winner this week's gold star. "Instead of physical strength," Anjay
says, "we'll award social strength."
"We'll give it to the person who entertains people. Who makes them feel
better. Who cheers people up." Green District, TC leader, Laurel said.
"It's as important for somebody to socially cheer somebody up, as it is
to be a hard worker," ten year old, Yellow District, TC leader, Zack,
said.
The kids were actually really excited when they heard about the show.
"It's going to be in the saloon tomorrow afternoon." Zack told the
energized crowd. That meant they'd only have a day to prepare. They
could have held it a week away. That would have given them several days
to practice and play. It would have helped with the boredom, and kept
the kids busy, longer.
When they posted a sign up sheet for the talent show, the act that
caused the most curiosity was the idea of Olivia doing stand-up comedy.
"I don't know what that is. But I'm quite scared of it." Blue District,
TC leader, Anjay said. Then again, he and Olivia have had words. Plus,
she's usually a very serious girl.
Some of the kids asked for a preview. When they couldn't get her to
practice her act for them Sophia said, "Olivia's a serious person, who
doesn't like to have fun. It's hard to believe someone so standoffish
is actually funny."
It'd be interesting to see if she'd have to eat her words.
Olivia did admit to being a little intimidated about her upcoming
performance. But she does have an advantage. None of the other kids have
a family member staying with them in town. Olivia has little sis,
Mallory by her side. "It's good to know that I'm not alone in anything I
do because she's here with me."
There were a lot more new faces this week. It was good to see. Even
if the spelling of their names, gets the best of me. I love 12 year old
Kennedy's name. This good natured, fun loving Kentucky girl planned to
do a dancing comedy act, because "I basically like to make myself look
like an idiot."
"It's Kentucky dinner time!" Ten year old Kentuckian, Savannah shouts,
carrying in a touch of home. She and fellow Kentucky native, Kennedy
made the dinner in effort to ease their homesickness. It might have hurt
as much as helped though. "I've been really homesick feeling." Savannah
admits before, and after their Kentucky dinner. A fact that becomes
increasingly worrisome to the whole town.
When it looks like she might go, Alex tries to talk her down. Kind, and
wise beyond his tender years, nine year old Alex tells her no one wants
her to go. 'You're a positive contribution to B.C." He tells her.
Then we meet two.....
Cindy Rutolo Dietrich is an entertainment writer, reviewer, rock journalist, poet, hotel reviewer, pianist, singer, songwriting artist from Pennsylvania.
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