Trading Spouses Update

Audrey · Post by **Audrey** » Tue Dec 21, 2004 10:56 pm

WOW!

A lot has happened with this topic!

We received, completed and returned a lengthy questionnaire. It was very specific and unless we wanted to be overly direct required some creative answering!

About 10-14 days after I faxed that back we were contacted by a producer and scheduled a telephone interview. This lasted about 15 minutes and was more or less a recitation of the legal aspects of the program and a Q&A about the physical environment of our home.

We were told a scout would be contacting us to actually visit our home sometime after the Holidays.

Meanwhile....

We have been watching the show!

This show is the one on FOX on Monday nights... They usually stretch each trade out over two episodes.

We had the Vegan lady who behaved badly with the Louisiana Bayou family... WOW! The Internet lit up with criticism of Barbara Gates. Although I wasn't all that enchanted with her myself I couldn't believe the way she was vilified....

We started to rethink our desire to be on the show!

And then....

They profiled the Abbott/Lowe families. The Abbotts are from California. They are Taoists who were contacted via their website by FOX and invited to appear on the show. The Lowes are from Tennessee.

Leslie Abbot traded with Vickie Lowe.

Whoa... All I can say is MON MON MON MON MON MON DIEU!

The Abbotts were portrayed as odd-balls who are abusing their teen aged sons by living a lifestyle most would consider different. The Lowes were depicted as a wonderfully loving family who showed poor Leslie Abbott the error of her way of living...

They heavily edit the show to ensure ratings with no regard for the people who appear on the program.

I have been in contact with Leslie Abbott and she is a lovely woman. She does not come off at all as she was portrayed on the program.

We have talked about it and have decided not to schedule the scout visit when they call to schedule it.

I can just imagine how, if given the chance, they would portray me!

So....... Don't look for me to make my television debut with Trading Spouses!

Thayne wants to do Couple's Fear Factor...

Personally I would be happy to "come on down" and play the Golden Road!

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 4:13 am

Well, I would like to say I think it's a good idea to give them a pass for the reasons you gave- especially that you may have no control over the content once you sign.
And yes, I think they show things out of context and can make anyone look like a freak!

I did see the Yoga people and they had the new mother saying the boys were outright abused and brainwashed.
Those boys were about old enough to think for themselves. The way the other family was shown as so intolerant of the Yoga mom and made her cry was sickening.
When I watch stuff like that I have to keep telling myself they are manipulating me and the content.

Audrey · Post by **Audrey** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 8:48 am

Oh Kat.... I am so happy you saw the show and know what I am talking about.

Leslie (yoga mom) is the one I am currently in contact with. I emailed her via the family website and she responded and we have begun to correspond. I hope to continue in it and get to know her as a friend and not just someone I contacted to ask "was the experience worth it"?

She did tell me that although they have no regrets, they wouldn't do the show now--knowing what they do about the editing!

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 5:14 pm

I think everyone is different and trading moms is a bust.
It's just not going to work and even if it did, I don't think they would show us because then there is no controversy.
The Yoga family seemed very at peace and contented with their family unit- I bet they went into the show hoping to share their alternate lifestyle- to educate and inform- and spead a little love.

I watch The Amazing Race and see the worst side of people you can imagine. I can't even think what those people are like in real life, because they show them at the extreme- also on Survivor, and Big Brother. These are probably relatively normal people in extraordinary circumstances...but it's hard to envision because of the editing.
The difference in all these Reality shows vs. Real Life is that they manipulate reality!

--I edited later because I was going out the door when I posted this and it didn't quite reflect what I was trying to say.

Stef came over and took me Christmas Light looking- we drove in her convertible with the top down again this year! It was 66 degrees- just lovely!