Wife Swap

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This article is about the television programme. For the subcultural sexual lifestyle, see Swinging.
Wife Swap
Format Reality TV
Starring Various couples
Country of origin Flag of the United Kingdom United Kingdom
Production
Running time 60 minutes
Broadcast
Original channel Channel 4
Original run January 1, 2003 – Present
External links
Official website
IMDb profile
TV.com summary

Wife Swap is a reality television programme, produced by UK independent TV production company RDF Media and created by Stephen Lambert. It first aired in 2003 on the UK's Channel 4, and since 2004 an American version has also aired on the ABC network. On February 28, 2008 ABC announced that it had renewed Wife Swap through the 2008-2009 Season.[1]

Contents

[edit] Synopsis

Two families, usually from vastly different social classes and lifestyles, swap wives/mothers (and sometimes husbands) for two weeks. In fact, the show will usually deliberately swap wives with extreme polar opposite lifestyles, such as a dramatically messy wife swapping with a fastidiously neat one. Though using a phrase from the swinging lifestyle, couples participating in the show do not share a bed with the "swapped" spouse while "swapping" homes.

During the first week, the new wife must adhere to the exact same rules and lifestyle of the wife she is replacing. Each wife leaves a house manual which explains her role in the family and the duties she holds. This almost always determines what rules the wives will apply at the "rules change ceremony."

During the second week, the new wives are allowed to establish their own rules, and their new families must adhere to these new household rules. It usually takes a while for the families to adjust to this policy.

At the end of the two weeks, the two couples all meet together for the first time, and along with their husbands, discuss how they feel about the two weeks. This often descends into personal insults and has degenerated into violence at least once.

In 2006 on the American version, a new twist was added whereby the wife can bring in someone to help her (a family member, a friend) to help on one day of the swap. The twist was discontinued early in the third season and only appeared in a few episodes.

[edit] Episodes

[edit] Season 1

  • 1. The Patrick Family: Cheri (31), Ryan (26), Tyler (8 and Cheri's son), Brendan (5 and Cheri and Ryan's son), and Hayley (2 and Cheri and Ryan's daughter)/The Leierood Family: Greg (37), Mina (35), Dan (17), and Avram (13)
  • 2. The Cedarquist Family: Keith (38), Nancy (36), Erik (13), Bryce (11), Bria (8), Riley (6), Kyler (4), and Nolan (2)/The Oeth Family: Michael (36), Christy (35), James (8), Lauren (6), Molly (2), and Delaney (1)
  • 3. The Stonewalk Family: Jeff (39), Kelly (37), Devon (10 and Jeff and Kelly's son), Justin (9 and Jeff and Kelly's son), Taylor (9 and Jeff and Kelly's niece), Jacob (6 and Jeff and Kelly's nephew), Hunter (3 and Jeff and Kelly's son), and Jesse (2 and Jeff and Kelly's son)/The Finley Family: Reginald Sr (31), Amber (30), Dorian (11), Reginald Jr (3), and Ryan (1)
  • 4. The Hodge Family: Ricky (38), Bobbie (33), Cody (12), and Austin (10)/The Koplin Family: Harold (53), Jackie (50), and Morgan (18)
  • 5. The Yonts Family: Michael (29), Kimberly (29), Hannah (5), and Maddie (3)/The Jan-Turan Family: Ramona (48), Andre (38), Lucy (10)
  • 6. The Felix Family: Jeremy (28), Vicki (27), Erikka (9), and Dyllan (5)/The Wiggins Family: Bill (41), Neicey (40), Billy (18), and Breland (15)
  • 7. The King Family: Kevin (34), Amy (34), Lauren (10), Keegan (7), and Grant (4)/The Reeves Family: Sean (40), Lori (39), and Clark Richard (12)
  • 8. The Lawson Family: Demetrius (36), Dawn (35), Calvin (18), Jamar (8), and Cameron (4)/The Fuentes Family: Margarita (Bill's mother), Bill (46), Lillian (36), Gavin (11), and Dylan (6)
  • 9. The Wasdin Family: Steve (37), Stacy (37), Staisha (15), Christine (14), Kelsy (12), Elizabeth (10), and Steven (8)/The Mayfield Family: Fred (47), Sabrina (44), and Fallon (18)

[edit] Season 2

  • 1. The Allison Family: Tim (46), Lydia (46), Drew (16), Ann Elizabeth (14), and Margaret (11)/The Hagerty Family: Danny Sr (44), Maureen (41), Danny Jr (8), Jason (6), and Matthew (5)
  • 2. The Collins Family: David (40), Shannon (32), Spencer (11), and Tucker (4)/The Matlock Family: Angela (41), Jeff (40), Calla (11), and Carson (9)
  • 3. The Heiss Family: Big Ed (50), Susan (50), Jenna (19), Britney (16), and Ryan (14)/The Kestrel Family: Sienna (34), Ash (24), and Ian (12)
  • 4. The Kraut Family: Steven (40), Melissa (37), Brandon (10), Darren (8), and Bradley (4)/The Hardin Family: David (44), Kathy (42), Seth (15), Jacob (13), Caleb (11), Elijah (10), Abigail (8), John Mark (5), Hannah (3), and Gabriel (1)
  • 5. The Bimonte Family: Joe (41), Lori (38), Nicole (13), Joseph (10), and Danielle (6)/The Hubbard Family: Alan (44), Lekili (44), Nani (19), and Kalani (15)
  • 6. The Askam Family: Kyle (37), Alison (28), Austin (11), and Keifer (1)/The Thompson Family: Bella (40), Kenny (37), Luaxanna (11), Tatiana (10), and Ramsey (6)
  • 7. The Kinison Family: Jeremy (27), Anna (26), Cataya (7), and Ryan (6)/Czerniawski Charles (31), Jamie (27), Alex (8), and Mickey (6)
  • 8. The West Family: Michael (52), Tracy (42), Alaina (20), Alex (18), and Katie (11)/The Grimes Family: Doug (47), Lori (46), Miles (16), and Ragan (13)
  • 9. The Ridgely Family: Randy (38), Jen (36), Peyton (7), and Rylee (3)/The Corrao Family: Kim (42), Louis (41), Sofia (8), and Vittorio (6)
  • 10. The Jeffrey Family: Wayne (41), Shannon (37), Jesstine (15), Alyssa (11), and Trinity (9)/The Greiner Family: Belinda (43), George (42), Madison (10), and Seth (9)
  • 11. The Lassell Family: Fran (45), Jeff (44), Daniel (16), Austin (15), William (11), Mary (10), and Michael (4)/The Nazario Family: Lilly (43), David (42), Lisa (16), and DJ (13)
  • 12. The Roy Family: John (45), Frankie (35), Erik (20), Paul (15), and Heather (13)/The Maness Family: Blake Sr (35), Angel (33), Blake Jr (11), and Bryce (1)
  • 13. The Martincak Family: Lauren (46), Danny (39), Sammi Jack (10), and Danni Jo (7)/The Schachtner Family: Joe (45), Patty (45), Travis (25 and Joe and Patty's son), Pattie Jo (23 and Joe and Patty's daughter), Toby (19 and Joe and Patty's son), Dylan (18 and Joe and Patty's son), Gunnar (14 and Joe and Patty's son), and Eric (3 and Pattie Jo's son)
  • 14. The Stamper Family: Greg (42), Stephanie (40), Damon (15), and Tara (13)/The Haggerty Family: Julice (34), Lisa (34), Justin (16), Victoria (12), and Alexandria (3)

[edit] Season 3

  • 1. The Slater Family: Abra (48), Mark (47), Rome (13), and Chevy (11)/The Williams Family: Doug (33), Jo (32), Craig (12), Cayler (7), and Logan (5)
  • 2. The Boyd Family: Rick (41), Tammy (38), Tiffany (16), Calsie (14), and Cody (12)/The Milorey Family: Andrew (33), Marilyn (33), and Jayson (12)
  • 3. The Booker Family: Regina (40), Eric (37), and Brandon (13)/The Alcorn Family: Brad (44), Jenifer (35), Jessie (13), Hailey (12), and Cade (9)
  • 4. The Talbott Family: Danny (33), Nancy (32), Darian (13), Joshua (11), and Ethan (8)The Broider Family: Melody (34), Rick (33), Jared (13), Addison (10), Mackenzie (9), Zane (9), and Zachery (8)
  • 5. The Baur Family: Ol' Chumbucket (51), Mad Sally (Tori, 42), Kate (16), Millie (13), and Max (6)The Fine Family: Craig (40), Lisa (36), Ashley (13), and Brandon (10)
  • 6. The Lovazzano Family: Grandma (74 and Lisa's mother), Bruce (43), Tina (39), Kalia (14), and Shae (11)/The Clover Family: Charles (35), Dana (35), Craig (14), Christopher (13), Bryan (10), Benjamin (6), and Brooke (2)
  • 7. The Mink Family: Dan (47), Kimberly (29), and Cody (11)/The Oaks Family: Warren (30), Rebecca (30), Richard (10), and Donovan (8)
  • 8. The Rowland Family: Doug (39), Robin (36), Kristin (17), Devin (15), and Sarah (13)/The Rivera Family: Grace (47), Luis (45), Melinda (17), and Marisa (11)
  • 9. The Lawrence Family: Derryl Sr (45), Big Mama (41), Jessica (14), Amber (9), and Derryl Jr (8)/The Caddel Family: Jinxi (35), Steve (34), Brynn (11), Aidan (9), and Shea (9)
  • 10. The Allemon Family: Dee Dee (44), Bernie (38), Ben (14), and Allie (12)/The Johnson Family: Scott (35), Melissa (33), Kane (13), Kohl (12), and Kolin (10)
  • 11. The Koopman Family: Danielle (36), Stephen Sr (33), Amanda (11), and Stephen Jr (10)/The Early Family: Ruth (85), Lynn (54 and Jae's mother), Len (53 and Jae's father), Jae (34), Justina (14 and Jae's daughter), and Brianna (12 and Jae's daughter)
  • 12. The Starling Family: Stephanie (51), John (46), Samantha (14), and Justin (13)/The Sweany-Ernst Family: Carol (54), Laura (42), Sterling (14), Dane (11), and Cameron (8)
  • 13. The Meeks Family: Tony (47), Tish (35), Benji (6), and Hannah (4)/The Hoover Family: Stephen (38), Kristin (34), Emily (7), Grace (5), and Alivia (3)
  • 14. The Haigwood Family: Michael (39), Barbara (37), Lee (15), and Aleesha (13)/The Hess-Webb Family: Kim (32), Robert (31), Ivy (6), and Breslin (4)
  • 15. The Hamilton Family: Tim (47), Angie (36), and Chastity (14)/The Lowe Family: Anita (43), Rick (42), Brian (22 and Brandie's boyfriend), Brandie (19), and Brandon (17)
  • 16. The Browne Family: Trenton (39), Christie (39), Charles (17 and Trenton and Christie's nephew), Jeremy (14 and Trenton and Christie's son), Joshua (12 and Trenton and Christie's son), and Benjamin (11 and Trenton and Christie's son)/The Robinson Family: Dwayne (47), D'eva (31), Taylore (12), Jourdyn (10), Eli (8), and Journi (5)
  • 17. The Pitney Family: Alan (33), Ashley (29), Brandon (8), and Tyler (5)/The Silver Family: Sheree (48), Sam (42), Andrew (13), and Justin (10)
  • 18. The Rush Family: Ray (51), Sheila (49), and Tyler (15)/The Rios-Bolman Family: Rob (15), Melanie (15), and Skye (15)

[edit] Season 4

  • 1.

[edit] Spin-offs

[edit] Other countries

Localised versions of Wife Swap were produced by Viasat and aired in Croatia, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Viasat was the first company in the world to adapt the format locally. The first adaptation aired in Denmark in Fall 2003. A version in Serbia airs on RTV Pink, called Menjam ženu, which premiered in July 2006. Also, Chile premiered its own version of Wife Swap called "¿Quién cambia a quién? Intercambio de Esposas" (Who changes whom?: Wife Swap) on March 14. The show is produced by Canal 13 and hosted by Cecilia Bolocco. The Croatian version airs on RTL Televizija. There is also a Dutch and a Belgian version of wife swap. In The Netherlands it's called "Jouw Vrouw Mijn Vrouw" (Your wife My wife) and in Belgium it's called "De Nieuwe Mama" (The New Mum).

In Germany Wife Swap is called Frauentausch and premiered July 14, 2003 on RTL II.

[edit] Celebrity Wife Swap

There have been some celebrity versions of Wife Swap produced on the UK version of the show:

[edit] Boss Swap

A spin-off, Boss Swap, aired as a series in the UK. A pilot for a U.S. series aired on ABC, but the series never got commissioned. Husband Swap and Vacation Swap pilots were also aired in the U.S., but were not ordered to series. At least once, however, a husband and a live-in boyfriend swapped while the women stayed with their families.

[edit] Parodies

  • An episode of the Chappelle Show aired a parody of the show Trading Spaces titled "Trading Spouses". This was filmed before the show aired. The skit featured a format similar to the show, but with sexual themes.

[edit] Legal issues

[edit] Trading Spouses

In the United States, the Fox network airs another show entitled Trading Spouses, with a near identical format to Wife Swap. In 2004, the RDF Media sued Fox for copyright infringement for reproducing the Wife Swap format without their permission.[2]

In 2004, ABC showcased their upcoming Wife Swap show including projections of its popularity. Weeks before the show's debut, FOX introduced Trading Spouses.[3] The producers of Wife Swap, RDF Media, claimed FOX stole their concept,[4] while FOX argued that TV shows have always borrowed from one another and that FOX simply beat ABC to delivery.[citation needed]

[edit] British version

In her 2003 appearance on the programme, Lizzy Bardsley was shown to be living entirely on state benefits, which she continued to do without declaring payments she subsequently received for media work. Prosecuted and found guilty in 2005, she was sentenced to 80 hours community service and ordered to repay £4,879 in overpaid benefits.[5] In February 2007 she was convicted of child cruelty charges, receiving an eight month suspended sentence and a two year supervision order.[6]

[edit] American version

  • On March 23, 2005, 50-year-old former Wife Swap participant Edward Heiss, Jr., of Warwick, Rhode Island, was arrested on charges of identity theft and for obtaining money under false pretenses. He allegedly used his father's identity to obtain a luxury automobile, loans, and goods with a value of $100,000. Heiss appeared in Wife Swap in the autumn of 2005. His wife Susan said that he is impulsive with money.[7]
  • In November of 2005, Jeffrey Bedford, a participant on the show, sued ABC network for trading his wife for a gay man. He accused ABC of being dishonest, not allowing him contact with his wife, and making him miss college classes. He claims that when he ceased participating with the production of the show, ABC threatened that it would not tell him his wife's whereabouts and would not pay for his wife's return home. He is suing for over USD$10,000,000.00.[8] The producers of the show and ABC have dismissed the allegations and claim that his argument was simply homophobia on his behalf.[citation needed]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Breaking News - ABC ANNOUNCES EARLY PICK-UPS OF ALTERNATIVE SERIES FOR 2008-2009 SEASON | TheFutonCritic.com
  2. ^ "Wife Swap Producers Sue Fox TV Over Copycat" from Yahoo! News
  3. ^ "Spouse swap a fit for Fox: Net snipes at Alphabet with Trading Spouses" article from Variety
  4. ^ "Wife Swap sues Trading Spouses" article from post-gazette.com
  5. ^ BBC NEWS | England | Manchester | Reality TV star cheated benefits
  6. ^ BBC NEWS | England | Manchester | Wife Swap Lizzy escapes jail term
  7. ^ "'Swap' Participant Charged With ID Theft" from MSN
  8. ^ "'Wife Swap' sued over gay guest" article from The Independent

[edit] External links