It was hard to title this one.

There are two shows that I am focusing on: Trading Spaces and Wife Swap.

With any reality, you are volunteering to be put on display, on tv for the world to see. You’ve got so many choices, Real Housewives [of the universe], this famous family, that now famous family, we have a trillion children, survival of the nitwits, lets all live in a house together; fix your looks, clean house, let’s dance, get fitted, get married, win tiaras, call ducks, AMISH MAFIA? Whatever your weakness or passion, I am sure there is a reality show for you!

Ok, so I might be a bit harsh and if you are a fan of those shows, I apologize, no offense intended, I may have talked to you about some of the reality shows I’ve watched, especially while traveling, guilty pleasure.

So, back to Trading Spaces and Wife Swap. Trading Spaces isn’t on anymore, I believe, but when it was, I LOVED it! The premise was two family swapped houses, worked with a decorator to redecorate one room in the other house, a lot of times it was friends, but many times, it was just random families that were chosen. During the swap, there might be some fear of what’s happening back at their house, but the excitement really came during the big reveal. Some of the couples wouldn’t like what was done and would pitch a fit!

You agreed to be on the show, you agreed to let people into your home, take a room and redecorate it. Even if it’s not what you imagined or wanted or love, be a good sport about it, be gracious and after the show, take some time to get used to it. You can always change it back or to something you want.

And…Wife Swap. Two wives swap lives/families for 2 weeks. The first week, they live the life of the person they are replacing, no matter what. The second week, there is a rule change and the family has to do what the wife says [they tried Husband/Dad swap at one point, never took off]. There are some interesting swaps: Religious/Rocker, Clean Freak/Slob, Disciplined/Carefree, Goth/Hockey Mom, just to give you a few examples.

When the show first started, at the end, the wives would award money to the family they are leaving along with instructions for how the other family should use it.

Both families agreed to be a part of the show, follow the rules and do whatever the new wife wants for the second week, after she has been exactly what their wife/mother is in their daily life for the first week.

During the show, it never fails, during the first week the wife/mom has trouble living the life as she is instructed by her counterpart, but 95% of them give it a real try and the second week, when there is a rule change, the family inevitably is resistant, its a toss up who is worse, the kids or the dads.

Just like Trading Spaces, you agreed to be on this show, to participate in the true spirit of the event, give it 100% to learn something about other people, be tolerant and maybe learn something about themselves. There might be lessons learned, new appreciation for your wife/mom, how you are living your life and maybe how much is taken for granted. Sometimes lives are improved, weeks after the show they might be realized, but during the two weeks and the meetup after [when the husbands and wives are reunited] it doesn’t seem like it.

You’re on national television, act like a human being and an adult [if you are of adult age], don’t show your arse, unless that was your intention the entire time. I know it’s entertainment, but c’mon!