This is a Discovery Channel feature program where volunteers are placed into controlled experiments in apocalyptic-type scenarios. Events and tests are introduced each week to test their resolve, their survival skills, and sometimes their sanity. As described on The Colony home page:

What would you do in the wake of a global catastrophe? Even if you survived it, could you survive the aftermath?

In two seasons of THE COLONY select groups of volunteers with differing backgrounds, skills and personalities must come together with all their skills and resolve to survive in the dangerous wake of global catastrophe.
OzDragon and I watched the entire season in the space of a week, while Krullen watched them all in one night (crazy bastid). We decided to discuss our thoughts on the show here on the forums to give others the opportunity to participate.