As you watch the credits to Fox's Trading Spouses, you'll see a credit for two supervising story producers. That should send out a message loud and clear that this supposed "reality" show isn't entirely reality. What is it, then, if not reality? Obviously, it's "real" in the sense that the families on the show are real. However, if events are staged and/or manipulated by the story producers, doesn't that introduce an element of non-reality? It's manipulation, with the producers pulling the strings as we watch.
The premise of Trading Spouses is simple: two families will swap mothers for one week, and we, the audience, will get to see the wacky results. And, thanks to those story producers, we know we are going to get some truly wacky moments of that tired but true fish-out-of-water formula.
Is it entertainment or exploitation? I think the show is definitely straddling the grey area in between. The fish-out-of-water scenario allows for shows where people from very different families are put together, and at times put into situations that are demeaning or humiliating.
Take the episode featuring the Joseph family and the Gibbons family. The Joseph family is African-American and lives in Harlem, New York. The Gibbons are caucasian and live in Mendon, Massachusetts. And since we're going to be heading straight into stereotype territory, of course the Gibbons family are wealthy, and the Joseph family is middle class. Are there no wealthy African-American families to feature on this show? Of course not.
Octavia Joseph, the matriarch, heads off to Mendon while wealthy Lynne is en route to Harlem. Ah, now we're going to really get some sparks flying! How will the wealthy white mom deal with living with an African-American family? In Harlem? With other African-American folks? Conversely, how will Octavia handle the spoiled Gibbons family?
Octavia is picked up at the airport by Tom Gibbons, and the two proceed to say nothing at all to each other. Meanwhile, Lynne has met up with Carl Joseph, Sr., the patriarch of the Joseph family.
Octavia finds herself in a huge home with a gaggle of teenage girls who, apparently, have never been disciplined nor said "no" to their entire lives. Of course, this could be one of those stereotypes the story producers wanted to push: spoiled, rich white teenage girls. We only see what the producers present to us, and in this episode the girls do act annoyingly spoiled.
Article comments
1 - Sterfish
Very good review. One thing to note, though, is the mention of story supervisors. The way I have heard it, their job is not to stage events but, rather, to find the storylines within the hours of footage. Footage is moved around in order to show a single storyline/plot similar to scripted TV. Even though no actual writing is involved, this job is, as far as I know, actually considered writing. You will find "story" people in the credits of every reality show. It's these people that really show the difference between documentaries and reality TV.
2 - Scott C. Smith
Sterfish,
You're probably right, although it wouldn't surprise me at all if the story producers didn't get involved during the filming, to suggest activities for the families to take part in or to "suggest" to the traded spouse issues to bring up with the new family. Esp. in the episode with the white mom living in Harlem and not wanting to get a cup of coffee by herself. I can just hear someone saying to her, "Do you usually get a cup of coffee in the morning?" or something like that. But I've no doubt that some manipulation is going on. What would they do if they had hours of boring footage? They'd have to spice things up somehow.
Glad you enjoyed the review. It's a fascinating show, I've been watching it over the last several weeks. Typical Fox.
3 - Bill Wood
I think Trading Spouses is a fantastic show. The one that recently aired about the family from Scottsdale Arizona trading with the organic farmers had some really beautiful moments, especially when the two Moms met at the end. The organic farmer lady started out wacky but had a lot of insight in the end (about husband Ray). The Scottsdale Mom was also insightful and caring despite being overwhelmed at first.
The other show, Wife Swap, is much more formulaic and the announcer gets really annoying. It has its good moments too though.
4 - Scott C. Smith
Bill,
Yes, the episode with the organic farming family was very well done. Her family was down to earth and she was very insightful, and certainly more endearing than the family with the father who couldn't come up with a list of his faults. One of the best episodes in the series so far.
5 - Agnes Tolova'a
I watch this programme often and it is 100% a good programme to watch.Particularly the episode with the Gibbon's and Joseph family.I believe that it is a great idea to have white and black families switch point of views,being whatever race you are i s going to last a life time,so why not experience life on the other side.
6 - KGibbs
i think it's arrogant if you all believe that any of that show demonstrates a true prospective. trust me.
7 - RNotch
Yeah... listen genius: I work in television and maybe you should check your facts before you start blabbering about whatever you feel like each and every day. A story producer is not someone who writes a show or a story for the "actors" to play out. It is about searching through thousands of hours of shot footage (REALITY footage) and piecing them together in a coherent manner so that the audience has something cohesive to follow. I appreciate your analysis on a title for a job that you have never worked... but perhaps you should get your facts straight.
8 - AnnieB
They have to make a story - otherwise -its a web cam for a week. I liked the Borat styled organic farmer and their turkey dinner. It is funny because of the edits. This is not a documentary. This show should be a tounge in cheek review of American life and life-styles, Cultural Learning .....I do wish they would follow up with some of the more interesting families.
9 - Margaret Spears
Marguerite, plain and simple is crazy.....there was not dark side stuff going on, she acts like they were performing sadistics things. She wanted everyone to see things her way only. the least she could have done was see there way before dismissing it. There was nothing wrong with they were doing things. Marguerite, i think is greedy and she could have spent 20000 on the family instead of gastric bypass, maybe she should get up and do some of the things she was yelling at people to do. EXCERCISE!!!!! its free.
10 - stillseekingedsullivan
Enjoyed your review. I just saw the Perrin/ Flisher episode this week. For whatever reason Margueritte was so out of control, her relentless hysterical outbursts gave me a headache. As a Christian, I can testify that this is no way to behave toward others' differences. Bringing non-believers to Christ is accomplished through compassion, mercy and LOVE. All that screaming and hollering was anything but necessary - poor woman could have brought on a heart attack. Anyway, bottom line (and why I kept watching the 'train wreck') is that I witnessed more kindness and tolerance from the new-age D'Amico-Flisher family than I did from Bible-thumping Margueritte, whose mind was deadbolted from the onset. It's too bad, really, that she didn't seize this opportunity and honor the privilege of being used by God as an instrument to bring the truth to people who simply don't know. The Flisher's seem to be very nice folks who genuinely care about each other and their fellow man. Both Chris and Jeanne were extremely supportive of Margueritte and her family. So who's truly walking in Christian love here? Can I get an 'Amen'?!
11 - alexis
Trading spouses humiliate and ridicule poor people
12 - Trading Fan
Nice review and the organic farmers in Missouri were very fun. Loved the episode w/ Ms. Perrin and think these shows will be a great reflection of American family lifestyles in 20 years. Sure wish CMT would catch us up on what happened to these people after they got their 50K.
13 - story
I was watching T.S.tonight and the show realy made me angry to see a lesbian woman tore apart by a very angry uninformed insecure and very hateful woman, i think even in this type of situation with a tv show were people are willing to sell them selves to the public for money there should still be some tactfulness and someone to stop this kind of behavior this is why the contry is in a big ongoing war with the differences we all have as humans,i wanted to hide in a hole just knowing this woman is from oregon,this show should not have happened,i am outraged about tonights show!
14 - alyg
Story producers do suggest things for u to do and they twist around the footage to make it more interesting there are things that happen on the show where they will literally cut a person out to make it look like there's drama where there's not. Don't believe at least half of what you see on this stupid show.
15 - traded2
I feel it does not take a rocket scientist to understand this is entertainment. The families who gripe about the show's portrayal or feel they were coaxed / directed to behave in a certain way are engaged in some type of self absorbed ego trip. People who participated should have understood this is a story of a Trade, not the story of their beautiful family. There is, of course, creative license in production. There are elements of truth in all realities. Sometimes the truth hurts.
16 - Ed
RE: Trading Spouses ($50,000)
My wife and I have watched many episodes / shows, with open minds.
It is very interesting to see how other families, "ACTUALLY" live !!
This is the interesting part.
The $50,000 has very mixed reviews !!
One must not forget the state - TAXES,
to be paid !! (Income)
I have searched the web, and have been unable to find a "FORUM" that is directly connected to the "CORPORATION" - (Film Company) - producing this show !!
=======================================
I know that no Personal Attacks are allowed,
but this is to do with the editing of the show.
Almost every show, I have spotted major "BAD" editing scenes !!
= Two (x2) different shows, has the steering wheel on the "RIGHT" side.
= There was a scene on a private yacht, where the letters “CREW ONLY”, in the background, over the bridge, was - Reversed Viewing !!
= In the same time / scene, I have seen rear passengers, sitting behind the driver, than show sitting behind the passenger, while the vehicle is still in motion !!
= My last viewing, had a women with a diamond pierced nose, where the pierced diamond kept changing from “LEFT” to “RIGHT” !!!
QUESTION:
Is there a hidden “CONTEST” to find the “BLUPPERS” , or is the editing just thrown together, without any checking ??
How can simple scenes, be reversed, for national TV ??
P.S.
I hope the "CORPORATION" - (Film Company),
can see their errors !!
I hope that the "CORPORATION" - (Film Company),
can resolve this simple blunder !!
Sorry, but simple stupid mistakes like this,
show the credibility of the crew !!
17 - raven
strange people
18 - Richie916
RE: the Octavia and Lynne episode (Harlem/Mendon)
This episode has me on edge! I cannot believe those Gibbons kids!! Their father didn't even care how rude they really were!! For them to even talk to Octavia in the way they did, shows you the respect they DO NOT have for adults! Furthermore, HOW DARE TOM order Octavia around like a damn slave!! He really had her out there picking crops!! WOW!! As far as Carl Sr. and Jr. they are both wrong! They need to be there more for the fam!
19 - Marcelo
I totally agree with Richie916!
20 - DJ Jayito
Can someone please tell me how the money was allocated to the HARLEM family, because our STUPID CMT ran 4 minutes over and we wanted to see the S hit the fan when the money couldn't go to CashFlow and his "never gonna happen" career.