Wife Swap (U.S. TV series)

Synopsis

During the first week, the new wife must adhere to exactly the 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 helps to determine 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, meanwhile the wives disburse a sum of money to the family they have become involved with, to do what the wives see fit to spend it on.

At the end of the two weeks, the two couples all meet together for the first time, and the wives, along with their husbands, discuss how they felt about the two weeks. This often descends into personal insults and has degenerated into violence at least twice. More often than not, however, both families reach toward a middle ground and express that they have learned from the experience. Sometimes, the table meeting is a very heartfelt and emotional time for the two families who sometimes have complete and mutual respect for each other. A few weeks later the cameras return to record what changes have occurred since the swap.

Trading Spouses

In early 2004, ABC announced a U.S. version of the British show Wife Swap, to be called Trading Moms, having outbid Fox Network for the rights for the format in the U.S. In June the same year, Fox publicized a program with an almost identical format to Wife Swap entitled Trading Spouses, which it began broadcasting on July 1. ABC then reverted to the original UK title for their series, which began on September 26. In December 2004, RDF Media sued Fox for copyright infringement for reproducing the Wife Swap format without their permission. In 2008, FOX sold the rights to the show to CMT, ending the run.

Gay swap

In November 2005, Jeffrey Bedford, a participant in the American series, 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 his lessons at college. He claims that, when he ceased participating with the production of the episode, 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 $10 million, although a spokesman revealed that the contract stated the spouse could be of either gender. In 2007, the UK version began a search for more gay or lesbian swaps.

Alicia Guastaferro

In March 2010, Alicia Guastaferro sued ABC for $100 million, claiming that her appearance and depiction on a 2008 episode of Wife Swap led to her public embarrassment and that she suffered from panic attacks and suicidal tendencies as a result. Guastaferro alleged that many of the scenes that depicted her as a "spoiled brat" were staged and that she had been purposely asked to "act a little more spoiled." The lawsuit was settled out of court later that same year and the terms were not disclosed to the press.

Notable episodes

Wife Swap has aired several unique episodes in its history.

For their hundredth episode on March 13, 2009, the U.S. version selected 24 families to participate in a contest to reswap. Viewers voting in October 2008 picked the artistic/psychic Silver family of Florida and the storm-chasing/UFO-hunting Heenes of Colorado. The Heenes later gained notoriety in the national media when they were involved in the Balloon boy hoax. According to Denver Blogger Bill Husted, "It sounds like a good match." But, "distressingly," L.A. Times writer Jon Caramancia wrote, "it's clear they haven't learned a thing."

Season 1

In January 2012, ABC began airing a celebrity version of Wife Swap. The ten celebrities whose families took part were:

1. Tracey Gold and Carnie Wilson
2. Gary Busey and Ted Haggard
3. Dee Snider and Flavor Flav
4. Niecy Nash and Tina Yothers
5. Antonio Sabàto Jr. and Mick Foley

Season 2

On May 11, 2012, the show was renewed for a second season. The second season debuted on February 26, 2013. The celebrities who took part were:

1. Kate Gosselin and Kendra Wilkinson
2. Coolio and Mark McGrath
3. Alan Thicke and Gilbert Gottfried
4. Bristol and Willow Palin and Joan and Melissa Rivers
5. Ric Flair and Roddy Piper
6. Nia Peeples and Tiffany
7. Andy Dick and Lorenzo Lamas
8. Downtown Julie Brown and Lisa Leslie
9. Gerardo and Sisqó

Season 3

It was announced on July 31, 2013, that the series has been renewed for a thirteen episode third season. The third season began on April 15, 2014. The celebrities taking part are:

1. Daniel Baldwin and Jermaine Jackson
2. Tichina Arnold and Kelly Packard
3. Robin Leach and Eric Roberts
4. Laila Ali and Angie Stone
5. Angie Everhart and Pat Neely
6. Larry Birkhead and Hélio Castroneves
7. David Justice and Dweezil Zappa
8. Amanda Beard and Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt
9. Judy Gold and Penn Jillette
10. Joe Piscopo and Barry Williams
11. Jenna von Oÿ and Jill Zarin
12. Tyler Christopher and Ronn Moss
13. Plaxico Burress and DJ Paul

Season 4

The fourth season premiered on May 20, 2015.

1. Jackée Harry and Traci Lords
2. Verne Troyer and Hines Ward
3. Jeremy London and David A. Siegel
4. Tami Roman and Kerri Walsh Jennings
5. Charo and Jill Whelan
6. Vince Neil and Gunnar Nelson
7. Holly Robinson Peete and Margaret Cho
8. Cloris Leachman and Pia Zadora
9. Sean Lowe and Jason Mesnick
10. George Hamilton and Alana Stewart and Angela Raiola
11. Corey Feldman and Tommy Davidson
12. CeCe Peniston and Kellie Williams
13. Robert Carradine and Terrell Owens

Syndication

Episodes of Wife Swap air in syndication on Lifetime and CMT Canada.