Wife Swap.
Wife Swap was so awesome last night. They were doing the episode preview at the beginning & I actually squeeed. And then ran downstairs to make Mum watch it with me. Once the site gets updated with last night's episode stuff, I'm making myself an icon. My tree-hugger can kick your redneck's ass. I ♥ the Beavers. (In no small part because Jeff reminds me of my best friend from high school.)
"Episode No. 103" -- This week a conservative gun-toting matriarch of a southern family swaps lives with an anti-NRA, animal rights activist mother, on "Wife Swap" -- the acclaimed unscripted reality show that takes us into the intimate heart of the American family home to reveal the extraordinarily different ways families live their lives -- Wednesday, October 6 (10:00-11:00 PM).
Each week, from across the country, two families with very different values are chosen to take part. In a two-week-long challenge, the wives from these two families exchange husbands, children and lives (but not bedrooms) to discover what it's like to walk a mile in another mother's pumps. It's a mind-blowing experiment that oftentimes ends up changing their lives forever.
Aletha and Glenn-an avid hunter and fisherman-haven't shared the same bedroom in 10 years. But they do share the same view on guns; they recently presented 11-year-old Addie with her first gun. The couple's parenting style is traditional and strict-they don't tolerate disrespect from the kids, and privileges are revoked as punishment. In their isolated country setting, the Smoaks' only neighbors are the three generations of Aletha's family who live on the same estate and visit frequently.
Aletha travels to Arkansas and swaps places with Amy Beaver, a 34-year-old animal rights activist. Amy and her husband, Jeff, are environmentalists with six college degrees-but little money-between them. They are anti-NRA Green Party members who support the dream of their only child, 10-year-old Emily, to become the next Michael Moore. They treat Emily like the third adult in the family. Jeff and Amy share a strong relationship-and the same bedroom. Unlike Aletha, Amy avoids her extended family, detests cleaning and doesn't work. The family has moved 15 times in the last 10 years, and has a disorganized household, heavy on clutter and light on rules.
In the first week of the swap, Amy forces herself to not speak out against Glen's firearms, Confederate flag and "stuffed" animals decorating the wall. Meanwhile Aletha's condescending remarks towards Jeff and Emily's disregard for cleanliness and authority gnaw at Jeff's peace-loving attitude. In the second week when the new wives take over and change the rules, Glen and Amy's initial friendship is tested when her liberal leanings offend Glen's southern pride, while Jeff breaks down in tears over Aletha's negativity. Will these people ultimately find common ground, or are the differences too deep?
Mum & I talked about it afterwards. We were so stunned that Aletha & Glenn never kissed once the entire show -- they hugged & gave each other quick pecks on the cheek, but that was all. And we also talked about how the Beaver family was so much better. I love the way they're raising their little girl -- she'll grow up to be somebody important, I bet. :D I wish I'd been more like her at that age. And the Beavers were the only family that actually paid attention to the rules. Despite Jeff's objections, both he & Emily followed Aletha's rules the second week. The Smoaks' completely disregarded Amy's rules once she offended their Southern values. *gag*
"Episode No. 103" -- This week a conservative gun-toting matriarch of a southern family swaps lives with an anti-NRA, animal rights activist mother, on "Wife Swap" -- the acclaimed unscripted reality show that takes us into the intimate heart of the American family home to reveal the extraordinarily different ways families live their lives -- Wednesday, October 6 (10:00-11:00 PM).
Each week, from across the country, two families with very different values are chosen to take part. In a two-week-long challenge, the wives from these two families exchange husbands, children and lives (but not bedrooms) to discover what it's like to walk a mile in another mother's pumps. It's a mind-blowing experiment that oftentimes ends up changing their lives forever.
Aletha and Glenn-an avid hunter and fisherman-haven't shared the same bedroom in 10 years. But they do share the same view on guns; they recently presented 11-year-old Addie with her first gun. The couple's parenting style is traditional and strict-they don't tolerate disrespect from the kids, and privileges are revoked as punishment. In their isolated country setting, the Smoaks' only neighbors are the three generations of Aletha's family who live on the same estate and visit frequently.
Aletha travels to Arkansas and swaps places with Amy Beaver, a 34-year-old animal rights activist. Amy and her husband, Jeff, are environmentalists with six college degrees-but little money-between them. They are anti-NRA Green Party members who support the dream of their only child, 10-year-old Emily, to become the next Michael Moore. They treat Emily like the third adult in the family. Jeff and Amy share a strong relationship-and the same bedroom. Unlike Aletha, Amy avoids her extended family, detests cleaning and doesn't work. The family has moved 15 times in the last 10 years, and has a disorganized household, heavy on clutter and light on rules.
In the first week of the swap, Amy forces herself to not speak out against Glen's firearms, Confederate flag and "stuffed" animals decorating the wall. Meanwhile Aletha's condescending remarks towards Jeff and Emily's disregard for cleanliness and authority gnaw at Jeff's peace-loving attitude. In the second week when the new wives take over and change the rules, Glen and Amy's initial friendship is tested when her liberal leanings offend Glen's southern pride, while Jeff breaks down in tears over Aletha's negativity. Will these people ultimately find common ground, or are the differences too deep?
Mum & I talked about it afterwards. We were so stunned that Aletha & Glenn never kissed once the entire show -- they hugged & gave each other quick pecks on the cheek, but that was all. And we also talked about how the Beaver family was so much better. I love the way they're raising their little girl -- she'll grow up to be somebody important, I bet. :D I wish I'd been more like her at that age. And the Beavers were the only family that actually paid attention to the rules. Despite Jeff's objections, both he & Emily followed Aletha's rules the second week. The Smoaks' completely disregarded Amy's rules once she offended their Southern values. *gag*