 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Wife Swap
- ABC
- Genre: Reality TV
Common Sense Media says
Fish-out-of-water reality show -- fine for all.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this series features families living according to others' rules. It can be mildly upsetting to watch when parents are forced to go against some of their dearly held beliefs (albeit only for a week). Arguing is common between "spouses" and sometimes with children. Otherwise, this series is very family friendly and can be enjoyed by adults, teens, and kids old enough to be interested in the concepts it tackles.
What's the story?
The provocatively named WIFE SWAP is actually a fairly tame reality drama in which families switch wives for two weeks. During the first week, the wives live according to their new family's rules, and during the second, they introduce changes. The two families are chosen for their stark contrasts, and tension and arguments often occur when the wives' style clashes with that of their new family. In one episode, for example, a workaholic mother whose husband takes care of the house and whose kids complain about her constant cell phone use switches households with a stay-at-home mother who home-schools, won't let her teens date, and sleeps in the same room with her husband and all seven of their kids.
Is it any good?
With such extremes coming together, the part of each episode in which the wives change the house rules is always difficult. But it's fascinating to watch as the families are forced to try on new behavior. Much of it chafes, and there's plenty of minor rebellion, but ultimately the wives and their families learn that their lives aren't as perfect as they may think and that a little change can't hurt.
Overall, the show is rather simplistic and predictable, but it can still be enjoyable to watch families grow and learn from each other. Many of the familiar reality-show elements come into play -- the producers clearly accentuate the conflicts through editing choices, and the ending is always optimistic, but it's less gimmicky and confrontational than its competition, Trading Spouses, which is refreshing.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about what it would be like to switch households. What changes do you think someone else would want you to make? What would be the most difficult thing to change about your family? What things do you wish would change? What's the best thing about your family that you would want to introduce to others?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
SMART GUY MADE THIS ONE UP!
It is a great show! My mom sayd it helps change lives for the better and teaches ppl about things. It is a very goood show! I really reccomemed it!
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AGE
Really Makes You Rethink Stuff
You'll notice I've put a young age for this show, though I put it as "iffy." This is because the show has some language and name-calling (though most is bleeped out), but it seriously has taught me and some other people some good life lessons on family and lifestyles. I was watching one just today about two families that differed completely. One family had the dad who slept wherever he pleased and the wife got up a around 3 AM to heat up his car, make him coffee and dinner, and other useless stuff. The other one had a mom who treated her daughter and herself like royalty and the daughter had reached a $500 cell phone bill! It has really changed my view on a lot of things. So if you're a parent who likes to teach their kids in an edgy way, pick this.
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AGE
SO GOOD!
I am twelve and I love this show! Some episodes are better than others, but it is sooooo funny! I would watch it if you are ten and up because it is a MUST SEE SHOW.
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Kid, 12 years old
November 29, 2011
AGE
.
good show
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AGE
little language
I love this show. Only problem is language.
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AGE
i watch the show every time it comes on luv it
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AGE
Don't Waste your Time
Wife Swap is a funny, slightly trashy guilty pleasure. There is not a lot of great stuff in these shows, except for the rare one or two episodes where the families really learn something from each other. Most often, though, the swap dissolves into a shouting, drama-filled, tense mess. There is yelling, swearing, trashy and immature behaviour in most episodes (that's where the money is made, of course). It is, however, interesting to see people from different backgrounds live together and teach each other about their views and habits.
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| TV rating: | TV-PG |
| Network: | ABC |
| Genre: | Reality TV |
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