For years, you’ve been asking, “Where can I watch your episode of Wife Swap from 2008?” The wait is finally over! You can now stream my unforgettable experience on Hulu and dive into the world of reality TV like never before.
Back in 2008, my family and I – including my ex-wife – took part in ABC’s “Wife Swap,” the reality show that throws two families into a social experiment, swapping wives and upending lives. Our episode, filmed in the fall of 2007, first aired in February 2008 and has since been re-run countless times, often on Lifetime. However, catching it at the right moment was always a challenge, and even YouTube clips were scarce until recently.
Banana 101.5 radio station logo, as featured in the Wife Swap episode now streaming on Hulu
Since the initial broadcast, I’ve been flooded with questions about the show and how it all worked. Now that “Wife Swap” is readily available on Hulu, it’s the perfect time to answer those burning questions and share some behind-the-scenes insights.
Unveiling the Realities of Wife Swap: Frequently Asked Questions
Over the years, due to contractual obligations, I couldn’t reveal much about the inner workings of “Wife Swap.” But with time and its arrival on Hulu, I’m finally ready to address some of the most common questions and set the record straight.
How Real Was “Wife Swap”? The Line Between Reality and Production
The big question everyone asks: Was “Wife Swap” truly real? The answer is complex. While the emotions were genuine – my ex-wife’s tears and the kids’ attitudes were, for the most part, unscripted – the producers definitely played a role in shaping the narrative to amplify the drama.
Producers actively tried to manufacture conflict. They struggled to create friction between myself and the swapped wife, so they shifted their focus to my stepdaughter and the new “mom.” Certain scenes were also re-shot due to technical issues like poor camera angles or, in my case, because of some language that needed to be cleaned up. These re-takes sometimes made the situations feel artificial.
Why Was My Son, Aiden, Missing from Wife Swap?
A common point of confusion for viewers is the absence of my son, Aiden. At the time of filming, Aiden was only two years old. The producers decided that featuring him prominently would be too complicated. They were concerned about legal limitations on the swapped wife acting in a parental role with such a young child, particularly regarding personal care like diaper changes. To simplify things legally and narratively, they opted to minimize his presence, almost as if he didn’t exist. This decision was a major factor in making the show feel less authentic to our actual family life.
Did We Get Paid Every Time Wife Swap Aired? The Financial Side of Reality TV
Many people wonder about the financial compensation for appearing on “Wife Swap.” No, we didn’t receive royalties each time the episode aired. We received a one-time payment of $20,000. Initially, I was hesitant about participating in the show. However, the financial compensation definitely influenced our decision to move forward with the experience.
Any Wife Swap Regrets? Looking Back on the Experience
Do I regret doing “Wife Swap”? Not at all. It was a unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience. My only regret stems from a scene where I discussed my upbringing and how my parents weren’t overly expressive with verbal affection during my childhood. The full context of that conversation wasn’t included in the final edit, and it unfortunately came across as if my parents were unloving, which is completely untrue. It was never my intention to portray them that way, and I believe it hurt their feelings. On the bright side, they definitely increased their “I love yous” after the episode aired!
How Did We End Up on Wife Swap? The Road to Reality TV
The story of how we got onto “Wife Swap” is quite simple. A woman named Maggie Meadows nominated us after seeing an online advertisement from ABC’s “Wife Swap” seeking a “rock n’ roll family.” Her nomination was successful, and she received a $1,000 finder’s fee as a result.
Life After Wife Swap: Where Are We Now?
Life has taken many turns for all of us since “Wife Swap.” Corrie and I divorced ten years after the show aired. She’s now married to a farmer – which, after watching the episode, you might find particularly amusing. I’m happily engaged to an incredible woman, and we’re planning our wedding. As for the kids, they’re no longer kids! Tuesday is now 29, Hunter is 22, and Aiden (the almost-invisible toddler from the show) is 16.
Want to see it all for yourself? You can now watch our full episode on Hulu. Just search for S04 E06 · LaBrie/Zaring and get ready for a blast from the past!
