Split Screen: Bachelor of Buckingham Palace

Introducing | Split Screen: Kid Nation

What happens when 40 kids, ages 8 to 15, spend 40 days without parents in the desert? Split Screen: Kid Nation explores the aftermath of the 2007 reality show Kid Nation. Coming April 17, 2024, wherever you get your podcasts.

Kid Nation, Episode 1: Dropped in the Desert

We introduce the concept of 'Kid Nation' through the lens of its controversial reception, including a campaign to have the show banned before it even aired. But how bad was it? We hear from one of the parents about their hopes for the show, and their daughter’s auditions and first few days. We’re left wondering: what have these kids signed up for?For early access to Split Screen: Kid Nation episodes and to listen ad-free, subscribe to CBC's Stories channel here.

Kid Nation, Episode 2: Kid Casting

Every reality show has a villain. In Kid Nation, that role was assigned to 15-year-old Greg Pheasant. Through multiple perspectives on Greg’s bullying, we explore whether kids were cast to perform predetermined roles. It raises questions about the different levels of agency these kids had in what was a high-pressure and high-stakes situation.For early access to Split Screen: Kid Nation episodes and to listen ad-free, subscribe to CBC's Stories channel here.

Kid Nation, Episode 3: Class War

The kids are forced to navigate social hierarchies as producers introduce class, competition and warped financial incentives. Every few days, a team competition sorts the kids into four social classes: upper class, merchant, cooks and labourers. We ask what these themes reveal about America’s values and prejudices.For early access to Split Screen: Kid Nation episodes and to listen ad-free, subscribe to CBC's Stories channel here.

Kid Nation, Episode 4: Little People, Big Ideas

The producers prompt the kids to confront adult themes, with a joint religious service and town hall elections. Through the introduction of politics and religion, we see how Kid Nation is a microcosm of the real world in 2007, where the shadow of 9/11 and the War on Terror looms large.For early access to Split Screen: Kid Nation episodes and to listen ad-free, subscribe to CBC's Stories channel here.