Life Swap (Wife Swap (Channel 4))

Member Name: cazkins

Product:	Wife Swap (Channel 4)
Date:	24/02/09 (91 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Makes for entertaining and interesting viewing, shows diversity and challenges stereotypes

Disadvantages: USA version shows you far too much of what's going to happen at the beginning!

I'm not sure why, and I'm not proud of it, but I find reality tv programs and documentaries strangely addictive. Channel 4 seems to produce most of them, and Wife Swap is another one of their productions that seems to have good viewer ratings.

I guess shows like these are just background noise for some people, but I find looking into the lives of other normal everyday people interesting and fascinating. Granted, Wife Swap and similar shows do add things here and there to make them more entertaining. Some may watch the program and enjoy having a chuckle at some of the not-so-normal or conventional people and families, but I think that showing the diversity and differences can only be a good thing to broaden our horizons even just ever so slightly.

The premise of the show is in the title; two families swap wives, usually for 2 weeks. During the first week she goes to her new home and meets the new family. Each woman is given an instruction manual written by the other woman that details her average role and daily routine. The idea is that the women have to take on their new role for the first week, essentially living the life the other woman would have. The second week is a role-reversal, whereby the woman can make any changes she deems necessary to the family routine and roles each person has. At the end of the two weeks, or however long these poor families can put up with each other, the women reunite with their partners and all 4 get together around a table to discuss the last 2 weeks.

As I've said, I think it's a good thing to embrace the diversity and Wife Swap illustrates just how varied and diverse family structures, relationships, gender roles and routines are. In fact, 'wife swap' isn't technically correct for all of the shows, it's probably more suitable to call it 'life swap'... there have been single parent families, gay relationships, and partners who aren't married. Obviously both families are chosen because they represent a lot of conflicting ideas and structures, which usually makes for more entertaining viewing. For example, a very strict and regimented family keen on disciplining their kids, making them do chores and be in bed by 7pm sharp. Contrasted to a family that allows their kids to run amok because they don't like having rules.

Gender roles are usually the key factor that's quickly picked up. Some families appear to still be quite traditional and patriarchal, with the man being the head of the house going out to work whilst the wife stays at home to clean and be mother to the children. Authoritarian father figures, nuclear families, duties and rules still govern some family structures, so it's good to see that contrasted to a very different family to challenge some of the stereotypical ideals.

It encompases all types of diversity, not just that of different family structures. For example, different races and those with disabilities have appeared on the show. I personally think this is fantastic, though I know some may argue the producers are just trying to be politically correct. None the less, it makes for more interesting viewing being able to get insights into different people and different attitudes.

What usually happens during the 2 weeks? Well, almost anything. Screaming, shouting, tantrums, people walking out.. At the end however couples often seem to reconcile and when they're back to their normal live they're more grateful. Sometimes they make some changes and improvements having learnt and taken something from the swap. Others learn they're fine just as they are. It may make for interesting and entertaining viewing for us, but I'm sure this show must cause a lot of stress and strain on some of the relationships that are subject to criticism after the program, then again, what do you expect if you go on TV I guess.

The program is about an hour long, though if you take out the adverts and parts at the beginning where they preview what's about to happen, it's more like 40. It's shown on channel 4 and there have been quite a few series produced already, fingers crossed there'll be more to come very soon (I have little else to look forward to in the evenings can't you tell!).

With it's increasing popularity, Wife Swap extended it's usual swaps of every people to incorporate celebrities for special shows every now and again. There's only been a few of these and I can't honestly say that many have been high up in the celeb stakes, but they've made for entertaining viewing. For instance, Edwina Currie swapped with John McCirick's wife, 'booby'. They were both annoying enough to make for watchable TV.

In addition, Wife Swap has taken to the states. Wife Swap USA is much more dramatized, and we're even told this right from the beginning when they state that some scenes are for entertainment purposes. In my opinion that ruins it slightly because the premise is that we get a true insight into real everyday lives. There's one thing that really annoys me with this version though. They seem to show you everything that's about to happen during the program in the first 10 minutes. I tend to record my tele anyway so I fast forward this, but it does cut down on the actual time you spend watching the program, which is probably more like 30 minutes rather than an hour. None the less, it's still easy to watch and the show never fails to stir something up; be that annoyance and aggravation or laughter.

Wife Swap and Wife Swap USA are shown on C4 and E4 at varying times depending on whether or not there's a new series. Repeats are often run, I can't seem to pinpoint when they're usually on as it always changes. I don't think there's any showing currently, but when a new series starts it's usually well advertised before hand. There's often side shows after the main ones on C4, like Wife Swap The Aftermath, just incase you're a hard-core fan who just can't get enough!

Overall I would definitely recommend Wife Swap if you haven't seen it already. It's usually well-laid out, with a voice over to make the events understandable and it flows in sequence to make for easy viewing. It's well edited to show the best bits, and the maintains a sense of reality and everydayness alongside any music or editing to enhance the entertainment factor. I find that it can be very interesting and insightful so it's appealing if you're interested in seeing how other families work and how other people tick. On the other hand, it's entertaining enough if you just want something on the box for easy viewing :o)

Summary: Never fails to bring something different; worth a watch :o)