I've figured out what the books needs to do: Go Truman-Show-esque, and the reason the whole world is revolving around Katniss is because it is, and she was randomly selected to be put on or something, and the games really are about watching *her*.

Otherwise, you're being a lot more generous in your over-all view than I would be. The idea is interesting, but I think the setup is terrible and nonsensical, and that kills everything else for me; once the plot becomes ridiculous so fast, it all devolves into an MST for me.