Drudge is reporting that the ABC network, the bastion of family values, has scheduled for the fall a new reality show called “The Swap.” The show is based on the British unscripted show called “Wife Swap.” Yes, this is for real:
The title, which conjures up visions of a 1970s swingers party, is racier than the concept: Two married women switch places with one another for 10 days, living with the other’s family and taking on the other woman’s household duties. At the end of the 10 days, the families get together to discuss what they experienced.
Hmmm… I wonder what they will experience. Are “household duties” only things like laundry, washing dishes, etc.? Ostensibly, yes:
The women are expected to follow the house rules for the first week–sticking to the cleaning, cooking and child-rearing schedule set by the original woman of the house. The new wife can then lay down her own set of rules the following week.
While they swap spouses the women don’t actually sleep with each other’s partners.
“It’s a good title,” said Michael Davies, one of the show’s executive producers, “but it’s got nothing to do with swinging ’70s wife-swapping parties.”
Ah…the old bait and switch. Or should I say bait and swap? Whatever ABC has in store, it can’t be good for the families involved—anything good would be too boring.
I foresee at least one family liking the switch so much that they don’t switch back. Call me cynical…