or


WIFE SWAP
Air Date: Friday, September 17, 2010
Time Slot: 8:00 PM-9:00 PM EST on ABC
Episode Title: (#607) "Haller-Wren/Spencer" (Repeat)
[NOTE: The following article is a press release issued by the aforementioned network and/or company. Any errors, typos, etc. are attributed to the original author. The release is reproduced solely for the dissemination of the enclosed information.]

A TRADITIONAL ALL-AMERICAN FOOTBALL LOVING FAMILY FROM TEXAS SWAP LIVES WITH A FAMILY OF FREE SPIRITED HIPPIES, ON ABC'S "WIFE SWAP"

"Haller-Wren/Spencer" - A macho family of football players who expect their trophy wife mom to serve their every need swap lives with a happy hippie family whose feminist mom believes in breaking accepted gender roles, on "Wife Swap," FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) on ABC. Each week two very contradictory families from across the country participate in a two-week-long challenge: The wives exchange husbands, children and lives (but not bedrooms) to discover daily life in another woman's shoes. This astonishing experiment repeatedly changes lives and redefines families. (Rebroadcast. OAD 5/14/10)

The Spencer family, from the heart of Texas, are football crazy. The macho men of the house play high school, college and semi-pro football, and ex-cheerleader mom Debbie is their biggest supporter. Debbie is proud that Kirby (18) and Chase (16) are being raised to be rough, tough "real men" - these boys can't even pronounce the word feminine. There's no time for creativity in the Spencer home, which Dad Mike terms "artsy-fartsy." He expects Debbie to keep up her trophy wife looks because, if she doesn't, he'll start looking elsewhere. Debbie has to look after the home and cater to the Spencer men's every whim. She even cooks, serves and stands until all three have eaten their meals, and Mike says she's the best waitress in the county.

The Haller-Wren family of Atlanta are a joy-pod flying through space, hippies who believe in letting their freak flag fly. Mom McKenzie celebrates nature at local community drum circles and is a feminist who hasn't shaved her underarms in 20 years. Reuben, a former Ivy Leaguer, earns a living expressing creativity through being a clown. The Haller-Wrens are raising their two boys, Elijah (9), who loves the color pink, and Devon (6), who loves tie-dye, to be creative free thinkers. Elijah's room is painted pink, his furniture is pink and many of his clothes and accessories are pink, and he's often mistaken for a girl because of his long hair. There are no gender roles in the Haller-Wren home, and McKenzie loves the fact that Reuben is in touch with his feminine side.

In the first week, Debbie arrives at the Haller-Wren home and immediately decides they're "dirty, freeloading hippies." She sees a family photo and mistakes Elijah for a young girl. When Reuben takes her to a drum circle, Debbie is so uncomfortable that she walks out and heads home. She's concerned at the boys' lack of participation in "manly" group sports. Meanwhile in the Spencer home, McKenzie is greeted at the door with a scale, broom and mop. She instantly feels disrespected by Mike, and is upset that he, Kirby and Chase apparently never help Debbie around the house and expect their mother to take care of all the chores. Things come to a head in the first week when Mike is exposed to McKenzie's underarm hair while exercising -- and he reduces her to tears. After two weeks in another home, can Debbie Spencer teach the Haller-Wrens how to become more masculine men? And can McKenzie Haller-Wren show the Spencer men how to value and appreciate their mother and -- quite literally -- get Mike to give birth to his feminine side?

"Wife Swap" is an RDF USA production, created by Stephen Lambert and executive-produced by Mike Gamson and Michael Davies of Embassy Row. Neil Regan, Julie Cooper, Will Nothacker and Ed Simpson are co-executive producers. This program carries a TV-PG,L parental guideline.

Share |