Suggestions to improve the show?

[edgeover17]

Originally Posted by Jexter

I love the show and can't think of a single way to improvie it (although I probably will once the novely wears off).

Anyway, does anyone know how the kids are chosen for the sho? Are they all intellectually gifted? It seems like most of them are, but that there are a handful who aren't.

I don't imagine they look for kids who are necessarily gifted, but they probably don't want kids who are exceptionally dumb, either.

The only common thread I sense is that I,m betting a very high percentage of these kids are home schooled. Any TV producer will tell you that the biggest problem with kids on TV comes from their local school board. They have the power to really make trouble for a network if they feel that a kid's education is suffering because of their work. I'm betting that KN is eliminating that headache by looking for home-schooled kids.

[Google]

 

[IstateTheFacts]

Get rid of the annoying host for one....his voice bugs me.

[Leftcoaster]

Originally Posted by edgeover17

As to the "no rules" bit, you have to know that just can't be done. To leave 40 kids totally on their own for 40 days with no adult supervision at all would simply open the network up to too many potential lawsuits.

It isn't that I'd prefer no rules or supervision, just that they (town council, especially) actually possess the autonomy that the show pretends they have. I'll be a Laurel fan forever for her saying no way, no how to the helpful suggestive prompt to mix and match the teams. She'd have had to be out of her mind to go along with any such insanity based on the strength of her existing team.

There must be some rather effective supervision behing the scenes, otherwise as brain dead as many of these kids appear to be there would have been some of the horrendous injuries I'd been expecting in and around the kitchen and other potential death traps.

To better the show I still believe they need to strongly revamp that gold star or eliminate it altogether. As it stands, all one has to do is MINIMALLY do better work than the rest of the kids, most of whom aid the winner by being lazy slaggards by nature. They oughn't to have someone receive a reward for doing what they ought to be doing to begin with. They also, in my opinion, should not reward someone for comforting a whiner into sticking around rather than going home. Someone has a bad moment, thats one thing. Going into full self pitying whiner mode is another. Leave them be and let them leave rather than wasting time bucking them up artificially until the next episode.

Hunter in my view did NOT deserve a gold star as much as I might appreciate his work ethic. He's just being himself. In order to receive a reward, I believe the recipient ought to be doing something above and beyond what would otherwise be expected from them. In other words, no automatic reward for being a good worker if your baseline in being a good worker to begin with. No rewarding those who step up the pace after having previously acted like an ass like Gregg.

No more designed participant like Gregg period. He didn't just happen into the show, they chose Mr. Attitude for who he was, just like little princess Taylor.

[Bonbonlover]

I think they should get rid of the darn journal... It is so silly when they go in and it says ... okay you have been here 24 days, you must be in need of (religion, curfew, etc) it is just so silly. And have we ever seen any of them pray after that one episode dedicated to religion?? no

[estygal4]

I agree that the journal is very fake. Great point BonBon...every "journal" theme is just for one week. After that, forget it.

Ways to improve....no journal. Less kids, so that we get to know more of them. IMHO 3 teams would have been enough.

The gold star has some problems ....the campaigning that we saw was a real turnoff. I am glad that Laurel was able to get a gold star tho. She is my fav on the show. Really a super kid and the only one who seems to 'see past' the fake journal stuff.

[Leftcoaster]

Originally Posted by Bonbonlover

have we ever seen any of them pray after that one episode dedicated to religion?? no

The lack of any carryover from one week's dedicated subject manner has always been one of my primary gripes against this show as well, but they actually did show some religious carryover recently, 3 or so episodes beyond the original dictate for getting some religion.

I second/third/whatever the call to eliminate that sad sack journal altogether, and echo estygal4's comment regarding Laurel receiving a gold star. They had no call ousting her IMO, I'm glad something good came of it, as I couldn't envision her or any other seated council member being awarded from. Other than that numbskull dancing in the street by gold star members, I didn't see anything suggesting that Laurel had lost sight of anything all that crucial.

It IS, after all, supposedly a choice as to whether any individual or the group of kids as a whole wants to further the town rather than follow their own desire. Laurel served both the Green's and her fellow Bonanzans well. As well as any other, at least. She went along with the prompted do good suggestions a bit too much for my liking. But at least she finally saw the light.

[Bonbonlover]

I didn't see anything suggesting that Laurel had lost sight of anything all that crucial.

It IS, after all, supposedly a choice as to whether any individual or the group of kids as a whole wants to further the town rather than follow their own desire. Laurel served both the Green's and her fellow Bonanzans well.

All very true, but this isn't the Laurel show...I like that we get to see others in action. Why do we need someone to fail in order to give another a chance?

[Leftcoaster]

I wouldn't require failure that others have a chance, but given that no one in her group had given any indication of either discontent with Laurel's leadership or interest in doing the job (within Green), I was surprised to see Michael step up to lake her on and even more surprised that the vote wasn't close.

Of those who have stepped up to bat to replace council members, almost all leave me wistfully wishing the previous sad sack ineffectual they replaced were still in charge. Wanting to lead isn't enough.

A desire and willingness to lead coupled with some inkling of actual existing ability to do so ought to exist before another little leader inflicts themselves upon us because of a passing whim. I'd likely view it differently if elections weren't so infrequent, or if those suffering under some tyrant or incompetent could force a vote of confidence whenever they deemed it necessary, something I'd recommend for the future of this show if it has one.

[Bonbonlover]

A desire and willingness to lead coupled with some inkling of actual existing ability to do so ought to exist

All of which Michael has... He had wanted to run for Council the last go around, he has already proven his ability to pitch in and help out -- hence the gold star winner, it seems that everyone in his group like him along with most all in the community... I think he was well qualified to run!

[Jexter]

Originally Posted by IstateTheFacts

Get rid of the annoying host for one....his voice bugs me.

I LOVE the host. I think he interacts with the kids perfectly. He's not too sweet and not too harsh. He doesn't play "friend" or "parent" but he keeps an eye out on everything and seems to really, really enjoy watching the kids go through this experience.

I love a guy whose good with kids. Plus, I like tall and dark. Combine 'em all, and this guy does it for me ten times over.