MONDO EXTRAS

Sophia: Wait! Is this going to go on the Television Without Pity website?

MG: Yes.

Sophia: You know the "Meet Sophia" video on YouTube?

Lori: She's making pasta and she tells people, "Where's the salt? You need salt to boil water." Well, that started such a million-page discussion.

Sophia: I wanted to know if you can make a public announcement on my behalf apologizing to all the people who I offended by suggesting that you needed salt for pasta. I realize the error of my thinking. I am so, so sorry, and never again will I make that mistake.

MG: Well, the point is that you learned something from the whole experience.

Sophia. Exactly.

MG: What's another big thing you learned?

Sophia: This is going to be something that you're going to hear a lot, and not very interesting either, but power does really bad things to people. I mean, I just had the chance to experience that firsthand.

MG: Would you ever run for public office in real life?

Sophia: Probably not anymore. I mean, my idea of what I want to be changes every month or so. I wanted to be president for the longest time. Now I want to be a chef. I don't know. After having theKid Nation experience, I'mless likely to run for office.

MG: Well, I didn't think you were the only one.

Sophia: Even the town campaigns were intense, with the whole tearing down of the Taylor posters? I can't deal with that in the real world.

At this point we go off the record for a bit. When I restart the tape, Lori is telling me about the production people and the people at CBS.

Lori: Really, just wonderful people to work with. Really gracious, and they just went over and beyond with everything. They really just left a good taste in our mouth. Plus they sent all the kids a Wii system.

Sophia. That was exciting.

MG: Just what you wanted, huh, Sophia?

Lori and Sophia: [Laugh.]

Sophia: My siblings are enjoying it, though.

MG: Well, you got your bicycle too, right? [CBS mailed it to Sophia after the show]

Sophia, Yeah, I do have my bicycle. I still need to assemble it. Mom, your banana bread is ready.