A Bermudian teenager will hit prime time television on CBS's new reality show 'Kid Nation' next week.

In May, Blaine Wise joined 40 other children, aged eight to 15, and lived in a mining town that was abandoned in the 1880s.

Their challenge was to succeed where adults have failed and create a society where people share without greed — in just 40 days.

'Kid Nation' starts on September 19 at 9 p.m. local time on CBS. The show has been controversial for a variety of reasons. Websites have complained that a lack of adult supervision lead to several kids being injured on set.

And some union officials have said the show is equal to child labour because the kids are required to work long hours to set up their town.

While others said CBS should have provided on-set tutors to ensure the students did not fall behind in their studies.

But Blaine said the accusations were ridiculous: "Nobody forced us to do anything. If people didn't want to collect water they didn't have to.

"Other kids would encourage them to do it because we needed the water. But nobody was forced to do anything.

"I had the time of my life in New Mexico, I made so many great friends that I still talk to. Sometimes I wish I could go back there."

The CBS website states: "They will cook their own meals, clean their own outhouses, haul their own water and even run their own businesses including the old town saloon (root beer only).

"Through it all, they'll cope with regular childhood emotions and situations: homesickness, peer pressure and the urge to break every rule they've ever known."

They also compete for gold stars — worth $20,000 — which are handed out at the end of each episode. Each was given a $5,000 stipend for the duration of the show.

Blaine grew up in Palm Beach, Florida, but has spent summers in Bermuda with his extended family.

His mother, Diana Wise (nee Sims) is from Warwick and her family is fourth generation Bermudian.

Blaine began his career in the entertainment industry as a model and is a client of Wilhelmina Models, the company have also represented supermodes Iman (a one-time Bermuda resident with her husband David Bowie). He has shot commercials for European and Korean magazines.

Earlier in the year his agent recommended he try out for the show and within weeks he was flying to New Mexico with his mother to meet the producers and filming crew before shooting began in May.

"That was a crazy time," Blaine said. "I heard about it and knew I wanted to do it. I told my parents to get the paper work done so I could go and we had to organise things with my teachers.

"Some of them made me do make up exams before I went. Others gave my assignments to do during the 40 days and others told me I would have to sit some exams when I returned.

"But I was determined, I knew if I wanted to be on the show I would have to do my school work as well. Otherwise I would have failed and would not be starting high school this fall."

Blaine, who described himself as one of the leaders in the community, said he didn't find the show too physically challenging because he enjoys the outdoors.

Some of his hobbies include surfing, sailing, skim boarding and roller hockey.

He added that he thinks people will enjoy the show because it is interesting to see how everyone works together and the struggles they have to deal with.

"No one was forced to stay," he said. "And no one got voted off. You could leave if you wanted to, if you were homesick or didn't like it. But we really took care of each other and give the younger ones hugs when they needed it.

"And we learned a lot about society and leadership."

His mother, Mrs. Wise, added that despite people's complaints about the show she would let him go on again.

"Blaine really wanted to do it," she said. "I am not a showbiz mom, I think the industry can be quite tough. But if my kids want to do something I don't discourage them from it.

"I went to New Mexico with Blaine and met the producers and filming crew and felt it was safe. I got updates on him and messages from him every couple of days.

"I think people are just picking on the show because it is the hottest thing out there."