Kid Nation Cast Revealed

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And you thought you had trouble keeping up with 10 teams of 2 on The Amazing Race. CBS’ newest reality show, Kid Nation, tests to see whether kids can survive in the ghost town of Bonanza City, NM for 40 days on their own without adults, building it into a prosperous town along the way. The cast of Kid Nation is comprised of 40 kids age 8-15. At the end of each episode, the kids will vote on the most worthy person to win $20,000. Only those who decide to leave on their own will have to leave, as they can’t be voted off. The full massive cast list is below:

ALEX
Age: 9
Hometown: Reno, Nev.
Favorite subject: Geography
When I grow up I want to be: “I’m not sure what I would like to be when I grow up, but I currently think that it would be interesting to be a linguist, geography teacher and/or a chemist.”

ANJAY
Age: 12
Hometown: Pearland, Texas
Political views: “If I could hold one office in politics it would be Secretary of the State, so I could suggest the policies for the future of the U.S.A.”
Role Model: “Mahatma Gandhi, because he gained India’s independence without firing a single shot or shedding a drop of blood.”

BLAINE
Age: 14
Hometown: North Palm Beach, Fla.
My Perfect Day: “There is nothing I like better than to spend the day at the beach, waiting on the perfect wave to surf on my favorite board.”
Rode Model: “My Dad is my hero and role model, hands down! He is an Engineer/First Mate on a 124′ private yacht, and some day I want to do the same thing, ’cause I love to work with my hands, be on the water, travel to exciting places and meet new people.”

BRETT
Age: 11
Hometown: Edina, Minn.
Accomplishments: “I am working with families on changing the family law in Minnesota that upholds contact between kids and their ‘non-custodial’ parents, creating ‘Ryan’s Law.’”
Political Views: “I am very conscious of world events and concerns. I believe the best way I can help my community and world is to spread good energy to others.”

CAMPBELL
Age: 10
Hometown: Thomasville, Ga.
What I want to be when I grow up: “I would like to be a political person because good government is important and I could help the economy.”
If I could switch places with someone: “I would like to switch places with the President of the United States so that I could perform the daily duties and protect the wildlife.”

CODY
Age: 9
Hometown: Newport, Ohio
When I grow up I want to be: “A police officer.”
Political views: “If I could write a law, gas prices would be $0.25 a gallon.”

COLTON
Age: 11
Hometown: Reno, Nev.
Accomplishments: “My football team made it to the playoffs and was named the All-Star team. Also, I won my first belt buckle at the Wadsworth Rodeo.”
Political Views: “I feel that no matter who you vote for, someone is always going to disagree with the president’s judgment.”

DIVAD
Age: 11
Hometown: Fayetteville, Ga.
Personality traits: “Kind, helpful, honest – I am a great leader and I like to make others laugh.”
If I could write one law: “If I could write a law, I would make it illegal to charge medical care to someone who can’t afford it.”

DK
Age: 14
Hometown: Chicago
If I could switch places with someone: “I would switch places with the President of the United States – this would be the opportunity to have a positive influence on others and make the world a better place.”
Goals and Aspirations: “I want to inspire kids everywhere. I want to be able to prove all things are possible if you put your mind to it and believe in yourself.”

EMILIE
Age: 9
Hometown: Sparks, Nev.
Favorite hobbies: “Horse back riding, finding adventure and basketball.”
If I could switch places with someone: “I wouldn’t switch places with anyone because I appreciate myself.”

ERIC
Age: 14
Hometown: Morristown, N.J.
Role model: “As a musician, my role model would be Paul McCartney. I play many of the same instruments as him and his life is very inspiring to me”
Goals and aspirations: “My career goal would involve music, leadership and teaching others. I want to inspire and help others.”

GIANNA
Age: 10
Hometown: Chicago
When I grow up I want to be: “I want to be an actress or President of the United States.”
Role models: “My family and my educators – they all help me to learn and grow in different ways.”

GREG
Age: 15
Hometown: Reno, Nev.
When I grow up I want to be: “A mechanical engineer – working at my dad’s shop (dad is a master mechanic) gives me the experience I need to become a successful engineer someday designing cars or something.”
If I could switch places with anyone: “It would be my mom, because I want to know how she does it. She raises me and my sister, keeps a clean house, does paperwork at the shop, cooks dinner and yet she still has time to go out and work with the horses. She’s amazing.“

GUYLAN
Age: 11
Hometown: Upton, Mass.
Experiences: “My parents are exotic animal trainers, therefore providing me the opportunity to live and work with bears, camels, baboons, lions, tigers and elephants literally in my back yard since I was a year old. I also grew up living in two zoos in New England, York’s Wild Kingdom and Southwick’s Zoo, for a few years.”
Goals and Aspirations: “To stop global warming; to seek out new life and civilizations and to boldly go were no man (boy) has gone before.”

HUNTER
Age: 12
Hometown: Martinez, Ga.
Interests and hobbies: “Basketball, biking, water sports, golf, fly fishing, hunting and reading.”
Goals and aspirations: “I would like to go to college and be in one of the branches of the armed forces.”

JARED
Age: 11
Hometown: Dunwoody, Ga.
If I could hold a political position: “I would be Speaker of the House.”
If I could write one law: “I would write a law that required specific requirements for animal refuge centers.”

JASMINE
Age: 11
Hometown: Atlanta
Goals and aspirations: “When I grow up I would like to have my own television show, an artist development company or a School of Performing Arts.
If I could switch places with someone: “No one, because I love the people in my life and I would not want to change that.”

JIMMY
Age: 8
Hometown: Salem, N.H.
Political views: “If I could outlaw something it would be weapons and war.”
If I could switch places with someone: “It would be Bill Gates, because he is the richest man in the world and very smart.”

KELSEY
Age: 11
Hometown: Furlong, Pa.
People would be surprised to learn: “That I performed on piano at Carnegie Hall when I was in the fourth grade, which was a great honor to experience.”
Political views: “I think it was a bad choice to send soldiers to Iraq to fight. If I could change something about our world it would be to let all world and nationwide disagreements to be settled peacefully.”

KENNEDY
Age: 12
Hometown: Ashland, Ky.
Accomplishments: “I started the program ‘Break the Cycle with Reading,’ spending Saturdays reading to inmates’ children who were visiting their parents that are locked up; I’m a highly-ranked tennis player across Kentucky, the south, and the nation.”
Role Model: “President John F. Kennedy – he had high hopes for our country and was fearless.”

LAUREL
Age: 12
Hometown: Medford, Mass.
If I could write one law: “I would make a ‘no bullies’ law. I believe bullies are truly cowards and I think if bullies were gone the world would be a better place.”
If I could hold one position in government: “I would like to be in a position where I could make decisions that would affect people’s lives in a positive way.”

LEILA
Age: 9
Hometown: Charlotte, N.C.
Favorite hobbies or sports: “I have been doing beauty pageants since I was a baby. I usually do about 15-20 pageants a year. I also enjoy riding horses with my oldest brother at the barn and going to my other brother’s high school football games.”
If I could change one thing in the world: “I would want to make people more honest and nice with each other.”

MADISON
Age: 11
Hometown: El Paso, Texas
Goals and aspirations: “I have always dreamed of being an actress, being in movies, and in many plays.”
Quote: “If I could change one thing in the world I would change people’s desire to be perfect. NO ONE is perfect, and you don’t need to be a Barbie to be loved. You are perfect in someone’s eyes.”

MAGGIE
Age: 14
Hometown: Evansville, Minn.
Experiences: “I was adopted as a baby, and still know my birth parents. I keep in touch with them and my brothers and sister. I live on a hobby farm in a one-room house, with no indoor bathroom.”
Political Views: “I would outlaw smoking and war – they both kill – and bombs kill innocent kids.”

MALLORY (OLIVIA’S SISTER)

Age: 8
Hometown: Indianapolis
When I grow up I want to be: “A pediatrician – I want to help people.”
People would be surprised to learn: “That I play soccer better than most boys on my team.”

MARKELLE
Age: 12
Hometown: Marietta, Ga.
When I grow up I want to be: “An entertainer.”
Quote: “If I could change one thing in the world, I would make sure that all kids with single parents have good role models and mentors to make sure that they have the same amount of opportunities and love and grow up to be happy.”

MICHAEL
Age: 14
Hometown: Monroe, Wash.
If I could write one law: “I would allow gay marriage. I think it’s time to stick to equal rights.”
If I could hold one political office: “I would be a White House Press Correspondent.”

MIGLE
Age: 13
Hometown: Downers Grove, Ill.
If I could write one law: “I would make it a law that mothers couldn’t leave their kids.”
Role Model/Hero: “My hero is my mom. She has been through some tough times and is always there for me.”

MIKE
Age: 11
Hometown: Bellevue, Wash.
Role Model/Hero: “Raoul Wallenburg, who was a Swedish citizen who saved thousands of Jewish lives during the holocaust.”
If I could hold office in politics: “I would like to be in Congress and be on special committees so that I could work in small groups to write laws.”

MORGAN
Age: 12
Hometown: Indianapolis, Ind.
If I could write one law: “I would outlaw smoking in the U.S.”
Quote: “If I could change one thing in the world, I would rid the world of prejudice because it’s unnecessary and we are all equal in God’s eyes.”

NATASHA

Age: 13
Hometown: Miami
Favorite subject: “I think right now my favorite subjects are art and civics because in art, you can just express yourself on paper using anything you want, and in civics, I get so into learning about the government and laws and things involving the amendments and rules, I just find it so cool.”
When I grow up I want to be: “I’m still finding my place in the world and I’m not absolutely sure what I want to do when I’m older. I’m young and I’m still experimenting my skills in different subjects so I want to first find my strengths and weaknesses and then go from there on what I’ll be most committed to.”

NATHAN
Age: 11
Hometown: Mount Prospect, Ill.
If I could switch places with someone: “The President of the United States, so that I could run the country and make all the rules.”
When I grow up I want to be: “Either running my own business or an architect or interior designer.”

OLIVIA (MALLORY’s SISTER)
Age: 12
Hometown: Indianapolis, Ind.
Goals and Aspirations: “I want to be a journalist because I love to write.”
Role model: “Nellie Bly; I also admire my mom’s ability to work, my sister’s logic and my dad’s writing abilities.”

PHARAOH
Age: 12
Hometown: Philadelphia
If I could write one law: “I would write a law that puts more police officers in school. I would also write a law that bans any form of discrimination.”
What others would be surprised to learn about me: “That I ride horses and play polo.”

RANDI
Age: 11
Hometown: Sparks, Nev.
When I grow up I want to be: “A horse trainer – I have learned the proper techniques and I would love to be able to teach them to others.”
If I could write one law: “No one over the age of 65 is allowed to smoke. Also, we would all have to go back to riding horses.”

SAVANNAH
Age: 10
Hometown: Partridge, Ky.
When I grow up I want to be: “A lawyer or zookeeper – a lawyer is interesting and makes a lot of money, and a zookeeper because I like animals and want to learn more about them.”
What others would be surprised to learn about me: “That I like bugs, frogs, lizards and other gross things.”

SOPHIA
Age: 14
Hometown: Winter Park, FL
Accomplishments: “In elementary school, I began a ‘non-violent protest’ to have the school closed for President’s Day and was successful. I also founded a club for Jewish students in middle school, where they only had a social organization for Christian students.”
If I could write one law: “I would outlaw ignorance. I would write a law that said that everyone must be literate and aware of what is going on in the world around them.”

SOPHIE
Age: 10
Hometown: Issaquah, Wash.
When I grow up I want to be: “An author and a professional soccer player. If I’m lucky, I’d also like to be an actress. I’m a busy girl!”
Accomplishments: “I have a company called ‘Art in the Heart’ to raise money for the SPCA every year. I make paintings and bookmarks with my own art, then sell them at the local farmer’s markets and then give 50 percent of the profits to them. For the last two years, I have won the city’s ‘chalk art’ competition for the elementary level.”

TAYLOR
Age: 10
Hometown: Sylvester, Ga.
When I grow up I want to be: “A paleontologist because I love science.”
Miscellaneous: “I am passionate about pageants because I want to be Miss America or Miss USA one day. Also, I enjoy hunting for arrowheads with my family. I have over 2,000 arrowheads in my collection.”

ZACH
Age: 10
Hometown: Miami Beach, Fla.
Goals and aspirations: “I plan to go the Air Force Academy.”
Role model(s): “My dad, he really sets an example for me.”
Quote: “I am passionate about helping people that are sick.”

Kid Nation premieres Wednesday September 19th at 8/7c on CBS.

Nothing But The Truth On Fox

I’ve been wondering when this was going to happen. Following the king of all reality shows, American Idol, Fox has managed to release a handful of good quality reality shows such as So You Think You Can Dance. However, I always wonder when we’re going to see the next Who Wants To Marry A Millionaire? Look no further. Nothing But The Truth (tenative title) hooks contestants up to lie detectors (because they’re just so accurate) and asks them personal questions. The further the contestant goes, the more money they get, but also the more personal the questions.

Questions range from whether the contestant has cheated on their spouse to whether they’ve stolen from work. The show originated in Colombia, where it has been a huge success, and is now being localized worldwide.

No additional information has yet been announced.

Big Brother 8 Episode 18

On Big Brother 8 Episode 17, Jessica nominated Dick and Danielle for eviction as expected. Not bothering to wait for veto to see whether he or his daughter would be safe, Dick proceeded to turn up the heat in an attempt to make sure everyone in the house hated him enough so they’d not only vote him out but also contemplate strangling him in his sleep, a great plan considering he’ll be with them in sequester and his actions will linger and be blamed on Danielle by those who remain. Jessica revealed her true target is Danielle. Because they fear that one of them is going home and without anyone else in the house to trust, though, Dick and Danielle do appear to be starting to bond some.

The veto selections:
Jessica randomly selects Jameka.
Danielle randomly selects Dustin.
Dick randomly selects Zach.

The veto competition is a combination gross food/croquet challenge. The more drinks you finish, ranging from plain water to BB blood (I don’t want to know), the more shots you get. Jameka gets stuck on a bacon/egg/OJ drink. Dustin doesn’t appear to have any problems, nor does Dick. Zach wimps out and pretends he threw it. Danielle’s gagging the whole time but does decent. Jessica also has trouble keeping it down, just what I need to see while I’m eating. Then comes the croquet, which is mostly moot because it’s really just about who has the most shots.

Zach-3 shots, 6 points
Jameka-4 shots, 10 points
Jessica-5 shots, 17 points
Danielle-7 shots, 20 points
Dustin-10 shots, 32 points
Dick-10 shots, 33 points

Dick wins veto. Will he save himself or sacrifice himself for Danielle? While Dick celebrates by starting fights, the entire house, including Jen and Zach, runs upstairs to get away from him. Danielle eventually follows and gets into a long debate about how she’s tired of being blamed for what he does.

Jessica jokingly says she’s going to put Dustin up if Dick saves Danielle. Dustin requests that he be put up instead. Never a smart move, but Dick is probably the best person ever to be nominated against.

America tells Eric to give the silent treatment to Jessica. Great. Why doesn’t America just say we never want to have any more say in this game ever again? Jen convinces Jessica Dustin has a deal with Dick. And Jessica buys it. Huh? Eric obviously fails this task but does manage to irritate her to the point where she gets paranoid and believes he has a deal with Dick, too.

As promised, Dick uses the veto to save Danielle. A respectable move that most parents would do, even if Dick does top Marcellas. Per his request, Dustin has been nominated alongside Dick.

As per usual, America gets to tell Eric who to evict. Oh hell. Why not just kick him out the house now? It’s pretty obvious the choice will be Dustin, which will only contribute to the growing conspiracy theories in the house. This stray vote is, however, Dick’s only chance of staying in the house, albeit a small one.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live blog of Big Brother 8 episode 19, which airs Thursday at 8/7c on CBS.

Star Trek’s Uhura Joins Heroes

Nichelle Nichols is the newest hero to be unveiled. NBC told TVGuide that she will be playing Nana, the New Orleans-based grandmother of Monica (a new hero played by Dana Davis), for a short term role.

Nichols has starred in a range of movies and shows over the past 50 years but is best known for her role as Lt. Uhura in Star Trek. Dana Davis played Felicia Jones on The Nine and alongside Hilary Duff in 2004’s Raise Your Voice.

Meanwhile, Claire will get a new love interest in season 2. “The funny thing about Claire is that she has that beautiful naïveté, but she also has that spitfire quality. She has that sass about her. When she meets West… you will see. It’s teenage angst.”

Hell’s Kitchen Season 3 Winner

Hell’s Kitchen 4 winner

In June, we revealed the Hell’s Kitchen Season 3 winner to be 30 year old executive chef Rock Harper from Spotsylvania, VA. In tonight’s finale, he came out ahead of 26 year old nanny/personal chef Bonnie Muirhead.

As the winner, Rock is the head chef of a new fine Italian restaurant at Green Valley Ranch Resort in Vegas with a salary of $250,000.

Following improved ratings, Hell’s Kitchen will be returning for season 4 next year. In addition, Chef Ramsay will be starring in Kitchen Nightmares, which will premiere on Wednesday Sept 19 at 9PM EST on Fox.

So You Think You Can Dance 3 Final 4

I didn’t watch the first two seasons of So You Think You Can Dance, but I started watching at the beginning of season 3 and have found it to be an enjoyable show. We’re down now to the final six: Lauren Gottlieb, Pasha Kovalev, Neil Haskell, Sabra Johnson, Lacey Schwimmer, and Danny Tidwell. Each of these dancers received rave reviews from the judges last week after some awesome performances, which follows on the heels of mostly strong performances through the rest of the season. Among them, the only one who’s never been in the bottom three is Lacey, so they have had some close calls, but for the most part have easily managed to save themselves while dancing for their lives.

First we get to the girls. The first safe girl is Lacey. Next up, we find out who’s the first safe guy. Danny is the first guy heading to the finals. The next girl to move on to the finals is Sabra. Lauren was the easiest boot pick tonight. And finally, it’s down the last spot for the guys. Neil is the final guy to make it through. I was expecting Pasha to go as well, but not quite as much as Lauren.

So there you have it… the final four: Lacey, Sabra, Danny, and Neil. All very solid dancers, and I can’t say I’m disappointed with any of them being here. Following on the heels of Benji and Heidi, Lacey was the early odds on favorite, which I’d suggest is still true.

Season 3 concludes in two parts this Wednesday and Thursday from 8-10PM EST on Fox.

Big Brother 8 Episode 17

Jessica emerged victorious in the HOH competition on Big Brother 8 Episode 16, which means there are about 2-3 people who will be surprised if the nominations are Dick and Danielle, but there’s still plenty of room for fireworks and drama.

Dick is upset about being lied to and tells Eric he doesn’t deserve to be here (as if lying is something new in this game). The LNC goes nuts over Jessica’s HOH win, reminiscent of season 6. There are no secrets any more how this house is divided. For a change, instead of just listening to what Dick says and taking it, everybody gets up in his face. And it’s another argument about religion between Jameka and Dick… because that won’t piss anybody off.

Dick plans to sacrifice himself for Danielle if they’re both nominated. He says he will do whatever it takes to make them hate him so bad they won’t be able to stand him for one more minute. Apparently that would be a change. At some point we go from entertaining and lots of drama to just uncomfortable to watch. Tonight’s theme seems to be religious wars.

Danielle, who turned on her alliance last week, attempts get Jen on her side. Unlike the alliance with Dick, which was most likely equally fake on both parts, this one may actually work. They don’t exactly trust each other but don’t completely hate each other either. Jen’s still just a big floater, but it doesn’t hurt to have people at least not hate her.

The food competition had to do with smashing guitars. Looks like a lot of fun and a great way to relieve the tension that’s been building up in the house. Dick, Danielle, Jen, and Eric lose and are on slop, but Dick wins a slop pass. Dick tries to give it to Danielle, but she tells him to give it to Jen instead, which is a great strategic move.

America wants Eric to get Dustin nominated. Great. Trying to screw him over again, and this time he lets us know. Now it’s Dustin’s turn to start with the bashing. Alcohol never works out well in the BB house. It does, however, open the door for Dustin to say he wants to go up as a pawn, which gives Eric an opportunity to at least make a weak effort in pleading for a Dustin nomination.

So we don’t forget he’s in the house, we get to see some footage of Zach in a bunny suit.

It’s nomination time.
Jameka-Safe
Jen-Safe
Eric-Safe
Amber-Safe
Zach-Safe
Dustin-Safe

Danielle and Dick have been nominated for eviction. Wow. Shocker. Jessica wants Danielle out rather than Dick because Danielle’s a stronger player, but Dick wants no part of that.

This week’s America’s Choice question: Who should Eric give the silent treatment to this week? Yikes, another heavily loaded question.

Want to know who wins veto and what they do with it before the next show? Check out the Big Brother 8 spoilers page.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live blog of Big Brother 8 episode 18, which airs Tuesday at 9/8c on CBS.