this is our island

"This is our island. It’s a good island.

Until the grown-ups come to fetch us we’ll have fun."
- Lord of the Flies, William Golding

Perhaps I will burn in hell for this, but I really hope CBS can stick it out and that the sponsors don't cause the network to pull the plug on Kid Nation before its premiere on September 19.

While journalists (from competing networks) and vocal parents are up in arms about the show -- which follows 40 kids (ages 8-15) over 40 days as they try to rebuild a ghost town, I can't help but think the show is going to make some damn fine television.

Just watch this thing:

(That speech from Michael? I'm voting for him in '08.)

Raw emotion, brutal honesty, heartfelt speeches -- this is reality television at its finest.

Forget those bikini-wearing, no-talent, B actress wannabe, former Real World stars dueling it out and making out in the hot tub well into their 40's. Don't bore with me with another faux talent show. And if I hear another self-righteous Tyra tirade? I swear, I'm going to scream.

But kids? They don't bother to hold things in. (Remember, they say the "darndest" things.) They make observations that the rest of us wouldn't dare utter. (Okay, maybe I would.) They express emotions that the rest of us hold back because it's not cool, it's not appropriate, it's not something.

How could you possibly turn your head and not watch?

I'll be watching.