Wife Swap: one of the most ridiculous, but entertaining shows I've ever seen. The producers make sure to pick families that are polar opposites of eachother for the sake of drama. For example, in one episode you will have the typical, overbearing, uptight mother versus the mother who couldn't care less if her children showered or went to school. This strategy creates the most dramatic arguments and situations. Most of the time, the parents don't get along. No one wants to hear they way they do things isn't the best way (we all know what's best for us). It happens every episode, where the new mother obeys the rules, but the family adamently refuses. (come on people, it is only 5 days.) But at the end of the day when the families finally meet, everyone becomes great friends and admits that this experience has changed them.
As ridiculous as I sound saying this, I think we can learn something through all of this. I think Wife Swap clearly demonstrates the fact that opinions can and should change, that maybe our way is not always the best way. Maybe we can learn something from another person and how they live their life. Humans like to be in control of everything, all the time, and giving up that control is difficult; but sometimes we have to. I wish we didn't have to look to a reality TV show to learn this, but at least the value is shining through somewhere.
I've watched this show before, and I agree that it is completely obvious that they try as hard as they can to pick complete opposites for each episode. It's to the point where I really can't watch the show anymore, because none of it seems real- it seems like behind the scenes, it probably all very scripted. It's designed to get the best ratings by creating the most controversy, like you said. What an oxymoron that it is reality television, huh?
ReplyDeleteI think it's utterly hopeless in attempting to validate reality TV. But I will agree with the idea you touch upon about possibly learning from what we see on television. That may or may not be a good thing though at the same time. The idea we have about learning from others is a great way to justify reality tv, but isn't the truth about how we need to watch other people destroy themselves and go through these problems slightly pathetic?
ReplyDeleteWifeSwap is hilariously entertaining but also makes me very sad.
ReplyDeleteThe parents bicker back and forth and become shocked when the Gothic mom has to enter a hockey family (real episode, not me being obsessed) and vice versa, but I feel for these poor kids in every situation. Finding families from polar opposites gives us a glimpse into some of the world's worst parents, parents who do not take the time to listen to their children, treat them as slaves/assets/mini-adults/disappointments. Just really sad that the eccentricities of these parents have to get passed on to their impressionable and sensitive sons and daughters.
I never would have though that such a good thought could have stemmed from Wife Swap, but it is so true. We love control, and do just about anything to hold onto it. As Christians, we are called to give up control, and let the love of Christ rule in our lives. It's a hard, and often painful lesson to learn, but very necessary. Thanks for the reminder :)
ReplyDeleteThis show is ridiculous but also very entertaining. It's good to step out of our comfort zones though by learning from people different than ourselves.
ReplyDelete