Information AboutWife Swap |
''Wife Swap'' is a Reality Television programme, produced by UK independent TV production company RDF Media . 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 26 January 2007 ABC announced that it had renewed ''Wife Swap'' through the 2007-2008 Season. SYNOPSIS The title is a play on the term "wife swapping", a practice associated with the Swinging lifestyle, which is not a theme of the show. For the television show, two families, usually from vastly different Social Classes and Lifestyles , swap wives/mothers 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, or an overly strict mother swapping with an overly lax 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 they are replacing. Each wife leaves a house manual which explains their role in the family and the duties they hold. 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. 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.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttBTqdACr2E YouTube video showing two 'Wife Swap' couples in an altercation 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. SPIN-OFFS Other countries Localised versions of Wife Swap were produced by and hosted by Cecilia Bolocco . The Croatian version airs on RTL Televizija . Celebrity Wife Swap There have been three celebrity versions of ''Wife Swap'' produced on the UK version of the show. The first one saw Charles Ingram playing host to Jade Goody of '' Big Brother '' fame, and the second saw racing Pundit John McCririck play host to Politician Edwina Currie . The third celebrity version broadcasted on April 1st 2007 and featured magician Paul Daniels and journalist and radio host Vanessa Feltz . 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. PARODIES
LEGAL ISSUES 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. "''Wife Swap'' Producers Sue Fox TV Over ''Copycat''" from Yahoo! News In 2004, ABC showcased their upcoming ''Wife Swap'' show including projections of its popularity. Weeks before the show's debut, FOX introduced ''Trading Spouses''. "Spouse swap a fit for Fox: Net snipes at Alphabet with ''Trading Spouses''" article from '' Variety '' The producers of ''Wife Swap'', RDF Media , claimed FOX stole their concept, "''Wife Swap'' sues ''Trading Spouses''" article from post-gazette.com while FOX argued that TV shows have always borrowed from one another and that FOX simply beat ABC to delivery. British version In her 2003 appearance on the programme, and a two year supervision order.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/6385975.stm American version
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