Trading Spouses

[conradd]

I'd never seen this show before, but tonight was special. One family is from the hills of North Carolina - the wife makes puppets and the husband is a very French baker. They have two free-spirited children, a stinky dog, and far-left political views. Their cabin matches the dog - dirt everywhere. Both the other spouses retired from the USMC and the family identity is rooted firmly in the Corps. They have one well behaved daughter and their house is spotless . . . and a shrine to the Corps. The puppeteer is learning to shoot and the Marine is plotting how to get that dog in a bathtub. I can't wait until next week's conclusion.

[hadassahchana[$]]

I don't know who to feel sorrier for, so I think I'll just go for the dog!

[frazzledspice]

Whenever I've seen the show, the two families paired are about as unlike one another as possible.

An atheistic couple who host an atheistic radio show paired with a minister and his homeschooling wife, for example.

And usually both sides come back with a greater appreciation of differing views and behaviors, and a resolve to make one or two changes in their own lives.

In the case of this matchup, both sides will probably realize that:

- creativity needs some structure to operate optimally, and

- too much structure can kill creativity.

It's never an either/or situation--"good Marine" and "bad, sloppy puppeteer."

Nor should it be.

[slick4591[$]]

I liked the one where the lady was an animal rights activist and was paired with a Louisiana gator hunter. In each case, like Fraz said, the people are so opposite of each other. To me it just seems like a repeat of last weeks show every time I watch it.

[lynnzop[$]]

I've never seen Trading Spouses, but we occasionally watch Wife Swap. I hate the corny Petula Clark song at the end (seriously, that makes me just want to barf), but it's usually amusing to watch the polar families co-exist.

I'd do it in a heartbeat, but I'd honestly be frightened at where I'd be sent.

[pippadaisy[$]]

LMAO. We've joked about doing it with our friends. She's the subservient wife and mother who plays Steppin Fetchit to both her husband and her junk-food-living-on and constant-video-game-playing son. G said "She'd make my tea for me??"

[conradd]

Lynn, I'm sure we could come up with some prime destinations for you, all with red cars in the garages. Pip, I think you could handle anything. What would be your polar opposite family?

[lynnzop[$]]

The red car I could probably live with. It's the homeschooling 10 children all under the age of 10 that would put me over the edge. (Not that there's anything wrong with that lifestyle, but I could not handle it!)

Or maybe I could switch with one of those women who's husband waits on them hand and foot and doesn't let their wife lift a finger. If that were the case, I might never come home.

[conradd]

The nanny show just before Trading Spouses had me rolling too - two cops from either New Jersey or New York, had 6 kids under 5. Twins, triplets, and the baby was a single birth. OMG, I simply cannot imagine doing that on a daily basis. Good cop, bad cop didn't even begin to cover it, and it would have been interesting to see that mom switch with the French baker. I can't imagine anyone putting up with him.

[lynnzop[$]]

Are you talking about the network Nanny show with the British gal? That's not allowed to be on when I'm home. Hearing some over the top, spoiled brat whine for an hour is not my idea of entertainment.

[pippadaisy[$]]

LMAO. Republicans? Neat freaks? Only child? Junk food?