Posted on: Tuesday, July 6, 2004

Next season's 'Wife Swap' shows promise for ABC

By Jonathan Storm
Knight Ridder News Service

Next season's hottest new show is almost sure to be ABC's "Wife Swap," a "phonality" show in which the mothers in two very different families trade places. For the first week, each must live by her new family's rules. For the second, each sets the agenda.

The series drew oohs and ahhs from advertisers at May's "upfront" presentations, when networks unveil their wares and try to sell commercial time. The chances of a big "Swap" splash are good, given the lack of original or dynamic new scripted shows.

ABC, which has a history of overplaying its golden-egg shows, is busy developing "Boss Swap" and "Husband Swap." Fox has fast-tracked "Trading Spouses," hoping to get it ready before the announced "Wife Swap" premiere, Sept. 29.

"Wife Swap" was developed overseas, following the pattern of many "phonality" shows. Not only did the British version rock the ratings last season, it also won a bucketful of awards.

"Wife Swap" is about family interactions, and if the first episode is any indication, the possibilities run deep.

Despite the suggestive title, there's no sex. In fact, the sleaze quotient is zero.