FOX is leading the way for fall TV with UTOPIA which premiered Sunday, and if you missed it, just know that it was a doozy. The show is everything that Survivor and Big Brother wish they were. It’s not a game show, it’s a social experiment. Fifteen people have chosen to live in a commune of sorts for one year. There will be no winner as there is no prize. UTOPIA is based on the hit Dutch television series of the same name which asks the question: “If you could restart the world, what would you do differently?”

The “Utopians,” as they call themselves, start out with a meager amount of their own possessions. In addition, they are given a barn, two cows, a bunch of chickens, water and some alcohol. That is about it. They will be given a set amount of money to spend with the outside world, but it very limited so they have to choose wisely. There are no rules at the start. The group decides who, if anyone will be in charge and what rules will be followed.

The TV crew has set up 126 remote cameras all over the five acres of land dedicated for the experiment. The cameras will never shut off and a real time feed is being aired over the internet even as you read this. In fact, this unique “family” is already into day 10 of the experiment in real life.

Why would these people choose to do this? Well, each of them appear to be strong-willed, each with their own idea on what would make for a perfect utopia. They also seem to have something to prove. Do you really need to be a scientist to see how this is going to work out?

The people living this exclusive lifestyle are:

• Hex Vanisles (25), who is an unemployed atheist from Detroit, MI.
• Jonathan Lovelace (44), is a pastor and high school coach from Church Hill, TN.
• Nikki Noce (29), is a medical and holistic doctor, with a strong fascination for yoga is from Brooklyn, NY.
• Bri Nyugen (20), is a veterinary technician and student from Westminster, CA.
• Dedeker Winston (26), is a model and motion-capture artist from Los Angeles, CA.
• Chris Tuorto (25), is a glass blower and chili farmer from Cary, NC.
• Dave Green (31), is an ex-con from Queens, NY.
• Josh Johnston (36), is a general contractor from Salt Lake City, UT.
• Aaron Thomas (26), is a private chef from Jackson, MS.
• Amanda Scott (30), is a unmarried, pregnant behavioral specialist from Seattle, WA.
• Rhonda Deniston (48), is a political activist from Oceanside, CA.
• Kristen Vanstrom (24), is an entrepreneur from Jamestown, NY.
• Mike Quinn (33), is an attorney from New York, NY.
• Rob Hospidor (38), is a security programmer from South Amboy, NJ.
• Bella Chartrand(45), is a survivalist from Griffin, GA.

As you can imagine, tempers flare almost immediately. Some resent being told what to do by others, some decide that the camp would be clothing optional, some can’t hold their liqueur (shocking!) and for poor Pastor Lovelace just wants to save souls. To my surprise and delight, he shows amazing restraint as many of his fellow co-habitants live their lives contradictory to his. In the first episode he has already made a few friends and given his first sermon.

The first episode covers three days and about half of the members have their own individual meltdown. Outside medics are called on the scene on day two. One woman flip flops with her emotions. One day she is full of hope and the next she is huddled in a ball crying, “This isn’t utopia.” No kidding.

Sunday’s two-hour presentation is actually part one of a three-part premiere. Part two airs on Tuesday, September 9 at 8:00 p.m. (The show’s regular time-slot) and part three will air on Friday, September 12 at 8:00 p.m. as well.

The show is a train wreck that you can’t stand to look away from, and FOX has made it so that you don’t have to. A free UTOPIA app is available so that viewers can spy on the group 24/7 on their mobile devices or you can just go the show’s page to watch live streaming.