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BS: Bizarre Episode of 'Wife Swap'
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Subject: BS: Bizarre Episode of 'Wife Swap' From: Maryrrf Date: 23 Jul 06 - 11:37 AM I've only watched "Wife Swap" a couple of times but somebody sent me this clip. It's the reaction of a very Christian woman who swapped with people who were apparently neo-pagans. Disturbing! http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5464505634137914176 |
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Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre Episode of 'Wife Swap' From: harpmolly Date: 23 Jul 06 - 12:19 PM Mary, I remember when this first aired (yes, it's true, I've occasionally watched these asinine shows). It was actually "Trading Spouses" on Fox, not "Wife Swap". That may seem like a silly distinction until you remember that Fox is known for ripping off other networks' shows and adding a slightly sleazy component to them. (However philosophically one may have objected to "Extreme Makeover", Fox's turning it into "The Swan" and then making the newly nipped & tucked women compete in a BEAUTY CONTEST is the most stomach-turning thing I've ever witnessed. It makes the clip we're discussing seem tame by comparison, to me.) Anyway. Back on topic. For one thing, the original "WS" was nothing more than a social experiment--there was no "goal", it wasn't like a game show. Fox added this whole idea of "Each family gets $50,000, but the visiting "wife" gets to decide how they spend it" which to me really made it about the money, not the experience. Anyway. On to the nasty clip. For one thing, Fox showed this clip on the previews AD NAUSEUM until I just had to change the channel. Then they made it a two-part episode and made the beginning of the meltdown at the very end of the first episode, so you had to wait till next week to see the whole thing. (SOP, I know). Anyway, when I finally did watch it (yes, I got as sucked in as anyone else...eurrrgh), it was just too over the top for me. I'm sure it's possible that she was really, earnestly psycho, but I also can't shake the idea that she was shamelessly chewing the scenery for the benefit of the cameras. Especially if you see the end of the show...it was noted that, even though she ripped up the letter and declared that she didn't want the money because it was tainted by the touch of the "satanic" other wife, she changed her mind when they told her that $30,000 of it had been earmarked for her to get the gastric bypass surgery she desperately wanted. Hmmm...guess that Satanic money wasn't so tainted after all. The whole thing just made me tired. As usual, FOX played to the lowest common denominator and whored out this woman's mental instability for the world to see. I really, really wish the Simpsons was on another network, because having my favorite television show in the world on a network I despise with every fiber of my being is a real bummer. (At least the Simpsons crew are unrelenting in their mockery of their home network...God bless the little four-fingered buggers!) OK. /Rant off. Just had to put in my oar. Now I submit myself to be mocked mercilessly for my intricate knowledge of trashy TV. ;) Cheers, Molly |
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Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre Episode of 'Wife Swap' From: Clinton Hammond Date: 23 Jul 06 - 12:23 PM "whored out this woman's mental instability" You don't think it was possible that she was just acting? Or do you actually think that So-Called "Reality TV" is really real????? |
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Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre Episode of 'Wife Swap' From: JohnInKansas Date: 23 Jul 06 - 12:35 PM My connection is too slow to watch much, but a 20 minute download got me the first 30 seconds. Based on people I see on a fairly routine basis here in Kansas, her reaction (based only on the 30 sec that I saw) would seem "perfectly normal." I hear about the same ... (stuff) in about a quarter of the church services aired on TV here, from the preachers. (Note that many of these are nationally syndicated, so it's not entirely a local thing.) Personally, I would not refer to her as "very Christian," although it's hard to think of an alternative term that's "polite." John |
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Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre Episode of 'Wife Swap' From: Sorcha Date: 23 Jul 06 - 01:30 PM Well, the site 'snagged' me and wouldn't let me out....I wonder what it infected me with..... |
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Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre Episode of 'Wife Swap' From: SINSULL Date: 23 Jul 06 - 01:39 PM I saw this episode a few months back. Bad night on TV. My impression was that she was over-emoting for the camera. Too bad the children had to suffer through her anti-Pagan tirade. They seemed genuinely upset. All for the almighty dollar which she took in the end. These shows amaze me. Why would anyone want to parade their disfunctional family on TV? What possesses parents to bring TV cameras into their homes so that the world can see what unfit parents they are - The SuperNanny? Then again why would anyone be willing to go on TV pressing a lawsuit for $120 against their mother? That 15 minutes of fame calls, I guess. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre Episode of 'Wife Swap' From: SINSULL Date: 23 Jul 06 - 01:40 PM Afterthought: What is missing in my life that I spend even ten minutes watching this crap? |
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Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre Episode of 'Wife Swap' From: harpmaker Date: 23 Jul 06 - 02:02 PM ..I agree Sinsull... ...but you should have seen what she did to her husband after he forgot to put a tin of treacle in her tea! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre Episode of 'Wife Swap' From: JohnInKansas Date: 23 Jul 06 - 02:23 PM The reaction displayed in the clip - at least the 30 seconds I bothered to watch - was virtually identical to what we saw when a neighboring camper came over to meet the kids her child had been playing with. She saw a "Harry Potter" book in our campsite and went ballistic - almost exactly like the semi-female in the film clip. So we lit the incense pot and. ... John |
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Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre Episode of 'Wife Swap' From: Sorcha Date: 23 Jul 06 - 02:53 PM Naughty naughty John!!!! ROF! And why would a 'religious Christian woman' sign up for a wife swap anyway???? |
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Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre Episode of 'Wife Swap' From: Bill D Date: 23 Jul 06 - 03:10 PM folks...please understand. Participants in these 'reality' shows are CHOSEN in hopes of stimulating strife & controversy! The Survivor series worked hard at setting up situations where the participants (most of whom KNEW they were supposed to 'emote' and argue) would be stressed and dared! There would be no payoff for advertisers if everything went calmly and happily. The "People's Court" shows are among the worse....most of those cases should never BE in court. They are just vehicles to showcase the most seamy aspects of society. "Wife Swap" is only a cute variation on "Jerry Springer" and the whole premise is stupid and smarmy...(you KNOW they want you to wonder if 'anything happens' behind the scenes!) As you see, sometimes the premise of the show gets a bit put of hand...but as long as no one is injured 'on set', they make their $$$$$. sorry, but 'soap operas' using real people is a dangerous thing. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre Episode of 'Wife Swap' From: Maryrrf Date: 23 Jul 06 - 03:42 PM Well I don't know much about the show. I've watched one episode and I don't remember if it was from "Wife Swap" or "Trading Spouses" and it was kind of interesting - a wealthy California housewife, a militant vegan, swapped and went to live with this family in the Louisiana bayou country who regularly ate alligators. It was kind of amusing. Somebody sent me the link of this "God Warrior" person and I didn't know what to make of it. Perhaps she was "playing to the camera" but it sure looked real. And yes, I agree, I can't imagine inviting cameras into your home and broadcasting your domestic life for all to see. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre Episode of 'Wife Swap' From: SINSULL Date: 23 Jul 06 - 05:05 PM I keep hoping that one of these swaps will result in a full blown affair complete with pregnancies. The ensueing law suits might put an end to the crap. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre Episode of 'Wife Swap' From: Bill D Date: 23 Jul 06 - 06:37 PM Amen, SINSULL |
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Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre Episode of 'Wife Swap' From: Peace Date: 23 Jul 06 - 06:39 PM I would rather drink liquid manure that watch a show like that. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre Episode of 'Wife Swap' From: Sorcha Date: 23 Jul 06 - 06:46 PM Me too, Peace!!!! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre Episode of 'Wife Swap' From: Liz the Squeak Date: 23 Jul 06 - 06:47 PM Peace - try waxing your armpits instead... much more productive. Of course, you could pluck them... takes longer but is more satisfying. I too, would rather do anything else than watch that sort of specifically geared for conflict TV. LTS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre Episode of 'Wife Swap' From: Peace Date: 23 Jul 06 - 06:50 PM The 'wax yer armpits' thing: does that mean I'll be able to stop shaving them? That darned razor rash has driven me nuts for years. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre Episode of 'Wife Swap' From: katlaughing Date: 23 Jul 06 - 07:33 PM Sins, I don't think even that would stop them. Was it Springer on which someone was killed? Or, after the show? Still on. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre Episode of 'Wife Swap' From: frogprince Date: 23 Jul 06 - 07:45 PM Not Springer; one of the woman hosts. The murder happened not too far form here. The theme involved getting people on together so one of them could reveal a crush on the other. Some sadsack went on thinking he would find out what girl was sweet on him. It turned out to be a guy, so he killed the guy afterward. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre Episode of 'Wife Swap' From: Charley Noble Date: 23 Jul 06 - 08:32 PM Well, I was interested enough to spend ten minutes reviewing this thread. Now I think I'll go view my favorite osprey webcam. Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre Episode of 'Wife Swap' From: harpmolly Date: 23 Jul 06 - 10:02 PM Heh heh heh...I like the way you think, Charley. And to answer Clinton...I think it was real and not real. As I said in my post, I'm quite sure she was chewing the scenery to ensure her fifteen minutes of fame. However, that doesn't rule out mental instability, and frankly, I don't think ANYONE can act *that* well. So while I certainly don't take her at face value, I do think she's a few twinkles short of a glitter. I don't think the two ideas are mutually exclusive. ;) Heh heh John in Kansas...when I went through a neo-pagan phase in college (I'm sort of a cheerfully pagan agnostic these days), I decided to test myself by doing a full moon ritual outdoors. I was living in Ashland, OR at the time, so decided Lithia Park was the place. I had my elementals laid out, incense, the works, and was quietly going about my business (it was late in the evening, getting dark, but not late enough for the park to be closed). A very nice park ranger came along to ask me to extinguish my open flame (my bad for not remembering). He looked over my whole spread, and that peculiar deer-in-the-headlights expression came over his face. I smiled sweetly and assured him that I would be more careful in future, and he said, "Er, uh, you do that. God bless you, now" and beat a hasty retreat. Poor boy. ;) M |
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Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre Episode of 'Wife Swap' From: mack/misophist Date: 23 Jul 06 - 10:47 PM I watched about a minute of it; couldn't take any more than that. Now we know who voted for bush. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre Episode of 'Wife Swap' From: robomatic Date: 24 Jul 06 - 12:11 AM Why can't I twease my underarm hair while watching the show? "Simpsons" just re-ran their monkey trial one where Lisa was on trial for teaching evolution, but Flanders called Homer a big gorilla while watching him trying to open a beer bottle and saw the light... my God, what have I become? |
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Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre Episode of 'Wife Swap' From: Peace Date: 24 Jul 06 - 12:13 AM A hairless TV watcher? |
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Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre Episode of 'Wife Swap' From: Mrrzy Date: 24 Jul 06 - 09:50 PM Wow! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre Episode of 'Wife Swap' From: Mrrzy Date: 25 Jul 06 - 06:46 PM Um -she threw out the money, saying it was Tainted and Dark-Sided. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre Episode of 'Wife Swap' From: Becca72 Date: 25 Jul 06 - 06:56 PM The "Female Host" was Jenny Somebodyorother...blond lady...used to be a comedian...or tried to, at least... |
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Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre Episode of 'Wife Swap' From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 25 Jul 06 - 06:58 PM Has there ever been a Simpson episode where they get involved in this kind of show? Now that I might watch. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre Episode of 'Wife Swap' From: Scoville Date: 25 Jul 06 - 10:53 PM I think there was. Marge got swapped with the wife of the boss from the British version of "the Office", for his uptight, bitchy wife. It was pretty weird. Must have been a very recent episode but I've forgotten exactly what happened. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre Episode of 'Wife Swap' From: harpmolly Date: 26 Jul 06 - 10:55 PM That was a great Simpsons episode. :) Mrrzy...I don't know if they showed this on the clip or not, but at the very end of the original airing, they showed a text epilogue on the screen. It said (sorry to repeat myself) that she decided to accept the money, after she found out the other wife had earmarked $30K of it for her to get her gastric bypass surgery. Yup. M |
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Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre Episode of 'Wife Swap' From: harpmolly Date: 26 Jul 06 - 11:01 PM McGrath: Just for you... "Homer Simpson, This Is Your Wife " Original Airdate: 03/26/06 Homer's obsession with Lenny's new plasma T.V. causes Marge to enter the family into a sweepstakes where they win a third prize trip to the FOX lot. Against Marge's judgment, Homer signs the family up for a "Trading Spouses" type show and is forced to take in a controlling wife, Verity, while Marge moves in with a beaten down husband, Charlie (Guest Star Ricky Gervais), and his perfect son. Charlie quickly develops a crush on Marge which drives her home but gives him the strength to confront his own wife where he discovers she has fallen for Patty. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre Episode of 'Wife Swap' From: harpmolly Date: 26 Jul 06 - 11:06 PM Argh, sorry, it was $20K. From the episode guide: "Later, we learn what Jeanne had earmarked for the family. Ashley got $5,000 to pay for dance certification, $10,000 to help Ashley and Abigail move to their own place, $15,000 for Barry to spend on the family, and $20,000 for Margaret to get the gastric bypass surgery that she wanted. Upon further review and possibly prayer, Margaret decided to take the money." OK. Officially shutting up now. ;) Molly |
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Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre Episode of 'Wife Swap' From: 282RA Date: 26 Jul 06 - 11:22 PM You'd never catch Shatner (pbuh) on a show like that. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre Episode of 'Wife Swap' From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 27 Jul 06 - 10:00 PM I'd rather like to see a variation in which the two men from families with contrasting styles had to look after one household, and the two women looked after the other. "Odd Couples" they could call it. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre Episode of 'Wife Swap' From: bobad Date: 27 Jul 06 - 10:15 PM I miss "Hinterland Who's Who", now that was reality TV. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre Episode of 'Wife Swap' From: DougR Date: 28 Jul 06 - 02:43 PM It's difficult for me to understand why anyone wastes their time watching all the "reality" crap on TV anyway. DougR |
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Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre Episode of 'Wife Swap' From: GUEST,Amergin Date: 28 Jul 06 - 03:19 PM I think it is because it makes people feel better about themselves....they think my god my family is fucked up....but thank god we're not that fucked up....or something along those lines... But I agree with you Doug...it is all crap...However, if they brought on gladiator style deathmatches with real blood real gore I may watch it....or if they did a survivor type show where they actually had to survive I would find that entertaining as well... |
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Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre Episode of 'Wife Swap' From: Liz the Squeak Date: 28 Jul 06 - 03:24 PM Funny how a certain amount of money will bend even the most rigid religious conviction... like the case a few years ago of a £19million lottery winner who was ostracised from his community because gambling is prohibited in the Muslim faith and he took the money. The local mosque kept pretty quiet about the substantial donation he gave them.... LTS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre Episode of 'Wife Swap' From: MMario Date: 28 Jul 06 - 03:27 PM given the basic premise of the show - are there any episodes of 'Wife Swap' that are NOT bizarre? |
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Subject: RE: BS: Bizarre Episode of 'Wife Swap' From: Liz the Squeak Date: 29 Jul 06 - 05:12 AM True... it is a pretty bizarre idea ~ but then so was the idea of getting a hunt sabouteur to spend a week living with a Master of Foxhounds/Conservative MP and then swapping them. At least that series had some notion of trying to persuade each party to consider the others lifestyle.... I'm not explaining very well but you get what I mean... they weren't just swapped and given rules to follow, they stayed with their "opposite" and tried to understand how and why they believed/lived the way they did. Then they were taken back and shown the other side of the coin. Wish I could remember what the show was called.... LTS |
